Which set of values does the booklet describe as central to Australia remaining a secure, prosperous and peaceful place to live?
Based on: OCB Part 4: Australian values
Australian Citizenship Test · Values
Australian Citizenship Test Practice Questions: Australian Values (2026)
Australian values is the section you cannot afford to get wrong: five of the 20 test questions come from Part 4 of Our Common Bond, and you must answer all five correctly to pass, on top of the overall mark of 15 out of 20. The booklet names freedom, respect, fairness and equality of opportunity as the values central to Australia remaining a secure, prosperous and peaceful place to live.
Practice
Free practice questions
Under the Rule of Law in Australia, who is subject to the law?
Based on: OCB Part 4: Australian values (Rule of Law)
For eligible people in Australia, voting in elections is:
Based on: OCB Part 4: Australian values (Parliamentary democracy)
In the Australian values section, Australia's system of government is described as a:
Based on: OCB Part 4: Australian values (Parliamentary democracy)
Freedom of speech in Australia allows people to express their ideas freely as long as it is:
Based on: OCB Part 4: Australian values (Freedom of speech)
Which statement is consistent with Australian values about protest?
Based on: OCB Part 4: Australian values (Freedom of speech)
Which statement about religion in Australia is correct?
Based on: OCB Part 4: Australian values (Freedom of religion)
In Australia, practices such as polygamy and forced marriage are:
Based on: OCB Part 4: Australian values (Freedom of religion)
Australian society values the equal rights of all people regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, race, or:
Based on: OCB Part 4: Australian values (Equality of all people under the law)
Australia's commitment to the Rule of Law means which of the following?
Based on: OCB Part 4: Commitment to the Rule of Law (p.34)
Why you cannot pass the test without this section
Every other part of the booklet contributes marks; this part carries a veto. Answer even one of the five values questions incorrectly and you fail the citizenship test, regardless of how well you did elsewhere. The rule exists because Australian citizenship is described as living out the shared values in everyday life and in your local community, and all Australians are expected to respect, share and uphold them. The questions reflect that intent. Rather than asking for a date, they set a scene and ask what Australian values and law require: two applicants for one job, a religious rule that conflicts with an Australian law, a protest that turns violent, or a request from a police officer. Understand the reasoning behind the values and the answers become consistent and predictable.
The freedoms, and the legal line attached to each
Part 4 restates Australia's freedoms with their limits, and the limits are what the questions probe. Freedom of speech lets people express their ideas freely as long as it is within the law: peaceful public protest, including against the government, is an essential part of democracy, but encouraging violence against people because of their faith or ethnicity is never protected. Freedom of association means people may join any legal organisation, such as a political party, trade union, or religious, cultural or social group, and no one can be compelled to join or forced to leave; protests must stay peaceful, without injuring people or damaging property. Freedom of religion carries the sharpest legal edges: Australia has no official national religion, religious laws have no legal status, and Australian law must be followed by everyone even where it differs from religious laws. Practices such as polygamy and forced marriage are against Australian law and can carry severe penalties, including imprisonment.
Equality, a fair go, and mutual respect
The equality questions are scenario-driven. Men and women have equality of opportunity: if a woman is better qualified and more skilled than a male applicant, she is entitled to be hired ahead of him, because the law supports selecting the person with the best skills and experience. Physical violence against a spouse or partner is never acceptable and is a serious crime, whoever commits it, and either partner may apply to a court for a divorce even if the other wishes to stay married. Equality under the law extends to marriage: two people may marry in Australia, including two men or two women. A 'fair go' means everyone, regardless of background, gets an equal opportunity to succeed, achievements should result from hard work and talents, and no one should be limited by class distinction. Mutual respect and tolerance means listening to others and respecting their views even when they differ from your own; racism has no place in Australia, including online, and above all Australians believe in the right to be safe and free from violence and intimidation. Finally, 'mateship' is the Australian word for looking out for and helping one another, expressed through community service and volunteering, and English is the national, unifying language people living in Australia should make an effort to learn.
| Scenario | The answer consistent with Australian values and law |
|---|---|
| A religious practice conflicts with an Australian law | Australian law prevails; religious laws have no legal status |
| Someone wants to protest against the government | Peaceful protest within the law is permitted and part of democracy |
| Speech encourages violence against a faith or ethnic group | Not protected; speech is only free within the law |
| A woman is better qualified than a male applicant for a job | She is entitled to be hired ahead of him |
| Polygamy or forced marriage | Against the law, with penalties that can include imprisonment |
| Violence against a spouse or partner | A serious crime, never acceptable, whoever commits it |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to answer all the Australian values questions correctly to pass?
Yes. Five of the 20 questions in the Australian citizenship test are drawn from the Australian values section, and you must answer all five correctly. That is in addition to the overall pass mark of 15 out of 20, so a single wrong values answer fails the test even with a high total score.
What are the core Australian values in Our Common Bond?
The booklet names freedom, respect, fairness and equality of opportunity as the core Australian values, describing them as central to Australia remaining a secure, prosperous and peaceful place to live. The values section of the test checks that you can apply them to everyday situations, not just list them.
Are polygamy and forced marriage legal in Australia?
No. Polygamy and forced marriage are against Australian law and can carry severe penalties, including imprisonment. This sits under freedom of religion in Our Common Bond: people may follow any religion, but religious laws have no legal status and Australian law applies to everyone.
What does a 'fair go' mean in the Australian citizenship test?
A 'fair go' means everyone in Australia, regardless of background, is given an equal opportunity to succeed and has the same legal rights. Achievements should result from a person's hard work and talents, employers should select the person with the best skills and experience, and no one should be limited by class distinctions.
What is mateship?
Mateship is the Australian word for the spirit of looking out for and helping one another, especially in times of need. Our Common Bond links it to Australia's strong tradition of community service and volunteering, and the values section expects candidates to recognise the term.
Is racism against Australian values?
Yes. Under mutual respect and tolerance, racism has no place in Australia, and that includes creating or sharing racially offensive material online and making racist comments in public or at sporting events. Australians believe, above all, in the right to be safe and free from violence and intimidation.