The Australian citizenship test has 20 multiple-choice questions, and you have 45 minutes. To pass, you need at least 15 correct (75%) and you must answer all 5 Australian values questions correctly. The test is in English, and every question is based on the official book Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond.
You don’t need an IELTS or PTE score to become a citizen. But you do need enough English to read questions carefully, understand some fairly formal language about government and law, and not get tricked by answer options that look almost the same. For many people, that’s the real challenge. Not the facts. The English.
Citizenship test format at a glance
| Number of questions | 20, multiple choice |
|---|---|
| Time allowed | 45 minutes |
| Pass mark | 15 out of 20 (75%) |
| Values questions | 5, and you must get all 5 right |
| Language | English |
| Study material | Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond (testable section) |
| Who sits it | Most applicants for citizenship by conferral aged 18 to 59 |
Source: Home Affairs, citizenship test and interview.
You don’t book the test yourself. After you lodge your citizenship application, Home Affairs sends you an appointment with a date, time and place. There’s no separate fee for the test; it’s covered by your application fee.
Why the values questions matter so much
Here’s the rule that catches people out. You can score 19 out of 20 and still fail, if the one you got wrong was a values question.
The five values questions come from the part of Our Common Bond that covers Australian values: things like the rule of law, parliamentary democracy, freedom of speech and religion, equality of men and women, and mutual respect. The questions often describe a short situation and ask what’s acceptable in Australia.
For English learners, these questions are harder than they look. The facts are usually common sense. The language isn’t always. Words like tolerance, compassion, equality of opportunity and association have precise meanings. If one of them is unfamiliar, two answer options can look equally reasonable.
So when you study the values section, don’t just remember the “right” answer. Make sure you understand every key word in it.
What’s in Our Common Bond
The official book is free to download from Home Affairs. The testable section has four parts:
- 1Australia and its people. History, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, states and territories, national symbols.
- 2Australia’s democratic beliefs, rights and liberties. Freedoms, equality, responsibilities and privileges of citizenship.
- 3Government and the law in Australia. The Constitution, the three levels of government, parliament, courts and how laws are made.
- 4Australian values. The section the five compulsory questions come from.
Home Affairs also offers the book in other community languages, plus an official podcast and a free practice test on its test and interview page. Reading the book in your first language first is fine, and many people find it helps. But the test is in English, so you need to finish your preparation in English.
Five English skills that make the test easier
Knowing the facts gets you most of the way. These English skills take you the rest.
1Reading carefully, not quickly
Multiple-choice questions reward slow, careful reading. Watch for small words that change the meaning: not, only, all, never, except. “Which of these is NOT a responsibility of Australian citizens?” is a different question from the one your brain may expect.
2Formal and legal vocabulary
Words like constitution, referendum, legislation, judiciary, executive and compulsory appear throughout. Make a list as you read, with a one-line meaning in simple English. Our tips on building everyday English apply here too: learn words in context, not in isolation.
3Telling similar answers apart
Many wrong answers are almost right. “Voting is compulsory for all Australians” and “Voting is compulsory for Australian citizens aged 18 and over who are enrolled” look similar. Only one is correct. Practise explaining out loud why the wrong options are wrong.
4Understanding the question stem
Some questions start with a short scenario. Read the whole scenario before you look at the options. If you’re unsure, underline (mentally) the question at the very end: that’s what’s actually being asked.
5Staying calm with the clock
Forty-five minutes for 20 questions is generous: more than two minutes each. Most people finish early. If English reading is slow for you, that time is your friend. Use it to read every question twice.
A 4-week study plan
Week 1: Parts 1 and 2 of Our Common Bond. Read one short section a day. Write down every word you don’t know and check it the same day.
Week 2: Parts 3 and 4. Spend extra time on Part 4 (Australian values). Read it twice. Explain each value to a friend or family member in your own words.
Week 3: official practice test. Take the free practice test on the Home Affairs site. Don’t just check your score. For every question you got wrong, work out whether it was a knowledge gap or an English gap. The fix is different for each.
Week 4: repeat and review. Retake the practice test until you’re consistently well above 15/20 and getting every values question right. Review your vocabulary list daily.
A word of caution about apps and paid courses: Home Affairs says it doesn’t endorse any third-party citizenship test products. Unofficial apps can be useful for extra practice, but the official book is the source of every real question. When an app and the book disagree, trust the book.
If your English needs more work
Some people read Our Common Bond and realise the problem isn’t the test. It’s that everyday English still feels like hard work after years in Australia. That’s more common than people admit, especially for anyone who’s worked long hours in a language community where they rarely needed English.
There are two good options.
The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP). The government’s AMEP provides free English classes to eligible migrants. Check whether you qualify; many people don’t realise they still do.
A structured General English course. If you want faster progress, a flexible timetable or classes in the Sydney CBD, a General English course builds reading, vocabulary and confidence step by step. At Boston Institute, General English runs from A1 Beginner to C1 Advanced, with new classes starting every Monday. Not sure where you’d start? Our free English level test takes a few minutes.
Better English helps well beyond the citizenship test, too: job interviews, dealing with your child’s school, reading a lease. Our post on why General English is the best starting point explains more.
Citizenship vs visa English tests: don’t mix them up
People sometimes ask whether they need IELTS or PTE for citizenship. You don’t. Visa English tests (like the ones needed for skilled PR visas) are about proving a specific English level to get a visa. The citizenship test checks your knowledge of Australia, in English.
By the time most people apply for citizenship, their visa English test is long behind them. For the full list of visa English requirements, see our Australian visa English guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the Australian citizenship test?
There are 20 multiple-choice questions, and you have 45 minutes to answer them.
What is the pass mark for the Australian citizenship test?
You need at least 75% (15 out of 20), and you must answer all 5 Australian values questions correctly.
Is the Australian citizenship test in English?
Yes. The test is conducted in English. The study book Our Common Bond is available in other languages to help you prepare.
Do I need IELTS or PTE for Australian citizenship?
No. There’s no IELTS or PTE requirement for citizenship. You need enough English to understand and answer the citizenship test questions.
What should I study for the citizenship test?
Study the testable section of Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond. All test questions are based on it. Home Affairs also provides a free official practice test.
Can I fail the test if I get only one question wrong?
Yes, if that question is one of the 5 Australian values questions. You must answer all five values questions correctly to pass.
Build the confidence to pass
If English is the thing standing between you and the citizenship test, we can help. Boston Institute’s General English classes run face to face at Level 1 & 2, 208 Clarence Street, Sydney CBD, two minutes from Town Hall Station, with morning and evening options for people who work.
Enquire about General English or contact our team to find the right class for your level.
Reviewed by
Rupinder (Robby) Saini
Founder & CEO
