Under the Rule of Law, which people must obey Australian law?
Based on: OCB Part 2: democratic beliefs (The Rule of Law)
Australian Citizenship Test · Democracy
Australian Citizenship Test Practice Questions: Democratic Beliefs, Rights and Liberties (2026)
Part 2 of Our Common Bond covers what Australians believe about government and each other. Australia is a parliamentary democracy: the power of the government comes from the Australian people, who vote for representatives in parliament. Under the Rule of Law, no person, group or religious rule is above the law, including political, religious and community leaders and the police. This guide walks through the beliefs, the freedoms, the equalities, and the split the test loves: which items are responsibilities and which are privileges.
Practice
Free practice questions
Which statement best describes Australia's system of government?
Based on: OCB Part 2: democratic beliefs (Parliamentary democracy)
According to Australia's democratic beliefs, how should change to the law or to people's views be brought about?
Based on: OCB Part 2: democratic beliefs (Living peacefully)
The booklet says the Australian government is "secular". What does this mean?
Based on: OCB Part 2: democratic beliefs (Freedom of religion)
Which statement reflects freedom of association in Australia?
Based on: OCB Part 2: democratic beliefs (Freedom of association)
Which of the following is a responsibility of an Australian citizen (rather than a privilege)?
Based on: OCB Part 2: Responsibilities and privileges
Which of the following is a privilege of Australian citizenship?
Based on: OCB Part 2: Responsibilities and privileges
Which statement about voting in Australia is correct?
Based on: OCB Part 2: Responsibilities (Voting)
What is a referendum?
Based on: OCB Part 2: Responsibilities (Voting / referendum)
At the citizenship ceremony, what do you pledge regarding Australia's democratic beliefs?
Based on: OCB Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties (p.18)
The beliefs: parliamentary democracy, the Rule of Law and peaceful change
Three beliefs anchor this part. First, parliamentary democracy: citizens vote for people to represent them in parliament, and those representatives must answer to voters at elections, which is why government power comes from the people. Second, the Rule of Law: everyone must obey Australian law, and no person, group or religious rule sits above it, including government ministers, police and religious leaders. Third, living peacefully: Australians reject violence as a way to change a person's mind or the law; change should come through discussion, peaceful persuasion and the democratic process. The government is secular, operating separately from churches and other religious bodies, and Australia has no official national religion. Finally, Australia's democratic system rests on the principle that every individual, regardless of background, has rights and equality under Australian law, and all Australians are expected to treat each other with dignity and respect.
The freedoms: speech, association and religion
Freedom of speech is a core Australian value that underpins the democratic system: so long as they obey Australian law, people can criticise the government, protest peacefully and campaign to change laws, and freedom of expression covers views expressed through art, film, music and literature. Freedom of association is the right to form and join associations to pursue common goals: people may join any legal organisation, and equally cannot be forced to join one. Freedom of religion means people are free to follow any religion they choose, or to follow none, and where an Australian law and a religious practice conflict, Australian law prevails. The booklet notes Australia's Judaeo-Christian heritage and its public holidays on Christian days such as Good Friday and Christmas Day. On equality, laws ensure a person is not treated differently because of their gender, race, disability or age, men and women have equal rights, and a 'fair go' means there are no formal class distinctions in Australian society.
Responsibilities versus privileges: the split the test drills
The single most tested distinction in Part 2 is between what a citizen must do and what a citizen may do. The responsibilities: obey the laws of Australia, vote in federal and state or territory elections and referendums once you are 18 or over, defend Australia should the need arise, and serve on a jury if called to do so. Two details refine those rules: voting may not be compulsory in local government elections in some states, and service in the Australian Defence Force is voluntary. A jury is a group of ordinary Australians who listen to the evidence in a court case and decide if a person is guilty or not guilty. The privileges: apply for an Australian passport and re-enter Australia freely without a visa, apply for a job in the Australian Public Service or the Australian Defence Force, apply for your child born overseas to become a citizen by descent, and ask for consular assistance from an Australian official while overseas in times of need. One catch travels with that last privilege: in another country, you must obey the laws of that country.
| Responsibility (you must) | Privilege (you may) |
|---|---|
| Obey the laws of Australia | Apply for an Australian passport and re-enter Australia freely |
| Vote in federal and state or territory elections and referendums (18+) | Apply for a job in the Australian Public Service or Defence Force |
| Defend Australia should the need arise | Apply for your child born overseas to become a citizen by descent |
| Serve on a jury if called to do so | Ask for consular assistance from an Australian official while overseas |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is voting compulsory in Australia?
Yes. Voting is compulsory in federal and state or territory elections for Australian citizens aged 18 years or over, and it is also compulsory in referendums. The one refinement the citizenship test checks: voting may not be compulsory in local government elections in some states.
What is a referendum in Australia?
A referendum is a vote to change the Australian Constitution. Voting in a referendum is a responsibility of Australian citizens aged 18 or over, in the same way as voting in federal and state or territory elections.
Which prevails in Australia, the law or a religious practice?
Australian law prevails. People in Australia are free to follow any religion they choose, or to follow none, but where there is a conflict between an Australian law and a religious practice, Australian law wins. The government itself is secular and operates separately from religious bodies.
Is jury service a responsibility or a privilege of Australian citizenship?
A responsibility. Serving on a jury if called to do so is one of the listed responsibilities of Australian citizenship, alongside obeying the law, voting and defending Australia should the need arise. Citizens aged 18 or over who are on the electoral roll can be called to serve.
Do Australian citizens have to serve in the Defence Force?
No. Service in the Australian Defence Force is voluntary. The nuance the test looks for is that defending Australia should the need arise is still listed as a responsibility of citizenship, and applying for a job in the Defence Force is a privilege reserved for citizens.
What can an Australian citizen do while overseas?
An Australian citizen overseas can ask an Australian official for consular assistance in times of need, such as emergencies, and can return to Australia freely without needing a visa. While in another country, however, a citizen must obey the laws of that country.