"Our Common Bond" is the official study resource published by the Department of Home Affairs for the Australian Citizenship Test. Every test question comes from this booklet. This guide summarises each chapter and highlights the most commonly tested topics.
"Our Common Bond" is the only official study resource for the Australian Citizenship Test, published by the Department of Home Affairs. Every single question on the test is drawn from the content in this booklet, making it the most important document in your preparation.
This summary covers the key facts and concepts from each chapter, identifies the most frequently tested topics, and shows you how to use this resource effectively alongside practice tests to pass your test.
Chapter 1: Australia and Its People
This chapter covers the story of Australia — from its Indigenous origins to modern multicultural society.
Key Facts to Know
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the first Australians, with a history spanning over 65,000 years
- Australia was claimed as a British colony in 1788 when the First Fleet arrived at Sydney Cove
- The gold rushes of the 1850s brought a massive wave of immigration
- Australia became a federation of states on 1 January 1901
- After World War II, Australia accepted millions of migrants from Europe and later from Asia
- Australia is now one of the most culturally diverse nations in the world
Commonly Tested Topics
- The significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture
- Key dates: 1788 (First Fleet), 1901 (Federation), 1967 (referendum)
- The Australian national anthem — "Advance Australia Fair"
- National symbols: flag, coat of arms, national colours (green and gold)
- Important national days: Australia Day (26 January), Anzac Day (25 April)
Chapter 2: Australia's Democratic Beliefs, Rights and Liberties
This chapter explains the democratic principles that govern Australian society and the rights and freedoms available to all people in Australia.
Key Facts to Know
- Australia is a parliamentary democracy — government by the people through elected representatives
- The Australian Constitution (1901) is the legal framework for how Australia is governed
- Key rights include freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of association, and freedom of movement
- The separation of powers divides government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches
- All Australians are equal before the law regardless of background
- Trial by jury and the presumption of innocence are fundamental legal rights
Commonly Tested Topics
- The freedoms guaranteed in Australia (speech, religion, association)
- What "the rule of law" means in practice
- The role and significance of the Constitution
- Separation of powers and why it matters
Chapter 3: Government and the Law in Australia
The most fact-heavy chapter covers the three levels of government, the electoral system, and how laws are made. According to the Department of Home Affairs, this section generates the most specific factual questions on the test.
Key Facts to Know
- Australia has three levels of government: federal, state/territory, and local
- The federal Parliament has two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate
- The House of Representatives has 151 members, each representing an electorate
- The Senate has 76 senators — 12 from each state and 2 from each territory
- The Prime Minister is the leader of the political party (or coalition) with the most seats in the House of Representatives
- Australia has 6 states and 2 mainland territories
- Voting is compulsory for Australian citizens aged 18 and over
- Elections must be held at least every 3 years for the House of Representatives
Commonly Tested Topics
- Responsibilities of each level of government
- How the Prime Minister is chosen
- Compulsory voting and how elections work
- The role of the Governor-General
- Number of states and territories
| Level | Key Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Federal | Defence, immigration, trade, currency, foreign affairs, taxation |
| State/Territory | Schools, hospitals, police, roads, public transport, mining |
| Local | Local roads, waste collection, parks, libraries, building permits |
Chapter 4: Australian Values
This is the most critical chapter for test preparation because all 5 mandatory values questions come from this section. You must get every values question correct to pass the Australian Citizenship Test.
Key Facts to Know
- Core values: freedom, respect, equality, democracy, the rule of law
- Australians believe in "a fair go" — equal opportunity for all
- Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from the consequences of speech
- Men and women have equal rights in all aspects of Australian life
- Religious freedom means you can practise any religion — or none
- Mutual respect and tolerance are expected in Australian society
- All people must obey Australian laws regardless of cultural background
Most Commonly Tested Topics Across All Chapters
Based on the structure of Our Common Bond and the test format, these are the highest-priority topics to study:
- Australian values — freedom, equality, respect, rule of law, fair go (tested in every sitting)
- Three levels of government and their responsibilities
- Compulsory voting and how the electoral system works
- The Constitution and its role in Australian governance
- Key national dates — Australia Day, Anzac Day, Federation
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage
- The role of the Prime Minister and Governor-General
- Rights and freedoms — speech, religion, association
- National symbols — flag, anthem, coat of arms
- Equality between men and women
How CitizenshipPrep Aligns with Our Common Bond
Our practice tests are specifically designed to cover every topic in Our Common Bond. Each question maps to a specific chapter and section, ensuring comprehensive coverage. Our study guide follows the same structure as the booklet, making it easy to cross-reference your study.
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Our practice tests cover every chapter of Our Common Bond with 385+ questions.
Start Practising NowFrequently Asked Questions
Where can I download Our Common Bond?
Our Common Bond is available as a free PDF download from the Department of Home Affairs website. It is the official study resource for the Australian Citizenship Test and is updated periodically. Always download the latest version to ensure your study material is current.
Is Our Common Bond the only resource I need?
Our Common Bond is the primary source — every test question comes from it. However, combining it with practice tests is significantly more effective than reading alone. Practice tests help you identify weak areas and get comfortable with the question format.
How long does it take to read Our Common Bond?
The booklet takes approximately 2 to 3 hours to read cover to cover. Plan to read it at least twice — once for understanding and once for review. Most candidates spend 2-4 weeks studying the content before taking their test.
Does the content of Our Common Bond change?
The Department of Home Affairs updates Our Common Bond periodically to reflect changes in Australian governance, demographics, or values. While the core content remains stable, always download the latest version before beginning your study to ensure you have current information.
Which chapter should I study first?
Start with Chapter 4: Australian Values because the values questions are mandatory — you must get all 5 correct. Once you're confident with values, work through Government and the Law (the most fact-heavy chapter), then the remaining chapters.