Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties: 30 sample questions
Checked 6 Oct 2026
Practice questions on Part 2 of Our Common Bond, guide pages 17 to 22, grouped by topic. Pick your answer, then open it: the explanation and the page in the guide are under each question.
Written by Cal Australia from the guide. These are not questions from the test. The number of answer options in the test is not published; we show 3, or 2 for situations.
Questions marked "values" are on the values topics of Part 2. Home Affairs does not publish which test questions count as values questions; this is our tagging. In the test, all 5 values questions must be right.
2. Australia is a parliamentary democracy. What is this kind of government based on?
AA: One family holding power for life
BB: Regular elections by the citizens
CC: Judges making all of the laws
See the answer
Answer: B, Regular elections by the citizens
A parliamentary democracy is based on citizens regularly electing representatives to parliament. In Australia, citizens vote for the people who represent them. See Our Common Bond, pages 18 and 42.
Not A: Power does not stay with one family for life; citizens elect their representatives at regular elections.
Not C: Parliament makes the laws; judges interpret and apply them, and courts are independent of parliament.
4. Under the Rule of Law, what do all Australians have, as well as the duty to obey the law?
AA: The right to ignore laws they think are unfair
BB: A promise that courts will always agree with them
CC: The protection of the laws and legal systems
See the answer
Answer: C, The protection of the laws and legal systems
All Australians are protected by the laws and legal systems. Under the Rule of Law, all are equal in relation to the law, and no one may ignore it. See Our Common Bond, page 34.
Not A: No one may ignore a law they dislike; people can campaign peacefully to change it instead.
Not B: Courts decide cases on the evidence before them, so no one is promised a result in their favour.
Under the Rule of Law, no person, group or religious rule is above the law. Police and religious leaders must obey the law too. See Our Common Bond, page 18.
Not A: Police must obey the law like everyone else; their position does not place them above it.
Not C: Religious leaders must obey Australian law too; no religious rule is above it.
6. Two neighbours disagree about a broken fence. They talk it through calmly and agree on how to fix it. Does this match Australian values?
AA: Matches Australian values
BB: Goes against Australian values
See the answer
Answer: A, Matches Australian values
Australians believe change should happen through discussion and peaceful persuasion. They reject violence as a way to change a person's mind. See Our Common Bond, page 18.
7. Jun became an Australian citizen after moving here. Kate was born in Australia. How should the law treat them?
AA: Jun should get lighter penalties as a newcomer
BB: Kate should get more protection from the law
CC: As equals under the law
See the answer
Answer: C, As equals under the law
Every person, whatever their background, has rights and equality under Australian law. Where a person was born does not change how the law treats them. See Our Common Bond, page 18.
Not A: Being new to Australia does not change penalties; everyone is equal under the law.
Not B: Being born here gives no extra protection; Jun and Kate have the same rights.
11. Which of these is part of freedom of speech in Australia?
AA: A ban on discussing politics in public
BB: Government approval of every news story
CC: Criticising the government
See the answer
Answer: C, Criticising the government
Freedom of speech means people can criticise the government and discuss ideas in public. It must always be used within the law. See Our Common Bond, pages 19 and 35.
Not A: People are free to discuss politics in public or private places.
Not B: News outlets share the freedom of speech, so stories do not need government approval.
12. Under freedom of association, people can form and join groups. For what purpose?
AA: To pursue common goals
BB: To make their own laws
CC: To stop others joining
See the answer
Answer: A, To pursue common goals
Freedom of association is the right to form and join associations to pursue common goals. People may join any legal organisation. See Our Common Bond, page 19.
Not B: Groups cannot make their own laws; their members must still obey the laws of Australia.
Not C: Freedom of association is about joining groups for shared goals, and no one can be forced to join or leave one.
13. Raj decides not to join the trade union at his workplace. Which freedom protects this choice?
AA: Freedom of religion
BB: Freedom of association
CC: Freedom of expression
See the answer
Answer: B, Freedom of association
Freedom of association includes the choice not to join a group. People cannot be forced to join an organisation such as a trade union. See Our Common Bond, page 19.
Not A: Freedom of religion is about choosing a faith or none; joining a trade union is a matter of association.
Not C: Freedom of expression is about sharing views; choosing whether to join a group is freedom of association.
14. Under freedom of association, which kind of organisation are people in Australia free to join?
AA: A group that exists to commit crimes
BB: Only groups approved by the Prime Minister
CC: A legal organisation that accepts them
See the answer
Answer: C, A legal organisation that accepts them
People in Australia are free to join any legal organisation, such as a political party, trade union, religious, cultural or social group. See Our Common Bond, page 19.
Not A: The freedom covers legal organisations only; a group set up to commit crimes is not included.
Not B: No approval from the Prime Minister is needed; people may join any legal organisation.
16. At a government office, an officer makes Ravi, a citizen, wait longer than others only because he is a Sikh. Does this match Australian values?
AA: Matches Australian values
BB: Goes against Australian values
See the answer
Answer: B, Goes against Australian values
The government and the law treat all citizens equally, whatever their religion or beliefs. People of all faiths receive the same treatment. See Our Common Bond, pages 19 and 36.
17. A religious practice conflicts with an Australian law. Which one prevails?
AA: The Australian law
BB: The religious practice
CC: Whichever one is older
See the answer
Answer: A, The Australian law
Where an Australian law and a religious practice conflict, Australian law prevails. The laws must be obeyed at all times. See Our Common Bond, page 19.
Not B: Religious practice must stay within the law; when they conflict, Australian law prevails.
Not C: Age does not matter; Australian law always prevails over a conflicting religious practice.
18. A manager will not promote Hana to a team leader role only because she is a woman. She is the best person for the role. Does this match Australian values?
AA: Matches Australian values
BB: Goes against Australian values
See the answer
Answer: B, Goes against Australian values
Men and women have equal rights in Australia. It is against the law to discriminate against a person because of their gender. See Our Common Bond, page 20.
19. A landlord rents out many flats and does not live in any of them. The flat is separate and not shared, and no legal exception applies. He refuses to rent it to Kim only because she has a disability. Which is true?
AA: This is legal if he owns the flat
BB: This is against the law
CC: This is legal if he explains in writing
See the answer
Answer: B, This is against the law
Australian laws make sure a person is not treated differently because of a disability. Refusing a flat only for that reason is against the law. See Our Common Bond, page 20.
Not A: Owning the flat does not allow him to refuse a tenant only because of a disability.
Not C: Putting the reason in writing does not make refusing her because of disability lawful.
20. A job is open to anyone. The manager hires the applicant with the best skills and experience, not his wealthy friend's son. Does this match Australian values?
AA: Matches Australian values
BB: Goes against Australian values
See the answer
Answer: A, Matches Australian values
A person should get a job based on their skills and experience, not their wealth. The law supports choosing the best person for the job. See Our Common Bond, pages 20 and 36.
21. Which of these is a responsibility of Australian citizenship, not a privilege?
AA: Applying for an Australian passport to travel
BB: Seeking election to parliament
CC: Defending Australia should the need arise
See the answer
Answer: C, Defending Australia should the need arise
Defending Australia should the need arise is a responsibility of citizenship. Applying for a passport and seeking election are privileges. See Our Common Bond, page 20.
Not A: A passport is a privilege citizens can apply for, not a duty.
Not B: Seeking election is a privilege open to eligible citizens, not a duty.
23. Which is a responsibility of Australian citizens?
AA: Joining a political party
BB: Jury service when called, unless excused
CC: Joining the Defence Force for two years
See the answer
Answer: B, Jury service when called, unless excused
Citizens have a responsibility to serve on a jury if called. Service in the Defence Force is voluntary, and no one must join a party. See Our Common Bond, pages 19, 20 and 21.
Not A: Joining a party is a free choice; people may also decide not to join any party.
Not C: Defence Force service is voluntary; the citizen's duty is to help defend the nation if the need arises.
25. Which of these is part of the Australian Defence Force?
AA: The Navy
BB: Services Australia
CC: The Australian Federal Police
See the answer
Answer: A, The Navy
The Australian Defence Force is made up of the Army, Navy and Air Force. Citizens have the right to apply for a job there. See Our Common Bond, page 22.
Not B: Services Australia is part of the Australian Public Service, not the Defence Force.
Not C: The Australian Federal Police is the national police force, not part of the Defence Force.
26. Mira is an Australian citizen. She has worked in Japan for three years and now wants to move back to Australia. What does she need to enter Australia?
AA: A tourist visa
BB: A return visa from the Australian Government
CC: No visa, as a citizen she can re-enter freely
See the answer
Answer: C, No visa, as a citizen she can re-enter freely
If you travel overseas as an Australian citizen, you can return to Australia without the need for a visa. See Our Common Bond, page 22.
Not A: Tourist visas are for visitors; citizens return without any visa.
Not B: There is no return visa for citizens; they come back freely.
27. For Australian citizens in general, which is both a responsibility and a privilege?
AA: Owning a business
BB: Living overseas for a year
CC: Voting in elections and referendums
See the answer
Answer: C, Voting in elections and referendums
Voting in federal and state or territory elections and referendums is both a responsibility and a privilege. Owning a business or living overseas is a personal choice. See Our Common Bond, page 21.
Not A: Owning a business is a personal choice, not a responsibility of citizens.
Not B: Living overseas is a personal choice, not one of the listed responsibilities of citizens.
28. Tom gives his time each week to coach a children's sports team, without pay. What is Tom?
AA: A public servant
BB: A volunteer
CC: A councillor
See the answer
Answer: B, A volunteer
A volunteer is a person who gives their time to a person or organisation without expecting payment. Australia encourages citizens to volunteer for community work. See Our Common Bond, pages 22 and 43.
Not A: A public servant is paid to work in a government department.
Not C: A councillor is an elected member of a local council.
29. Taxes help pay for social security. What is social security?
AA: A tax that only businesses pay
BB: Police protection for public buildings
CC: Government payments for people in need
See the answer
Answer: C, Government payments for people in need
Social security is government pensions or benefits to help people in need, such as unemployed, disabled and elderly people. Taxes help pay for it. See Our Common Bond, pages 22 and 43.
Not A: Social security is not a tax; it is government support paid for partly by taxes.
Not B: Social security means payments to people in need, not police protection.
