Australian Citizenship Test 2026: How to Prepare and What to Expect
A complete guide to the Australian citizenship test in 2026. How the test works, what Our Common Bond covers, how many questions you need to get right and how to study.
The Australian citizenship test is a requirement for most people applying for Australian citizenship. It is not a particularly long test, but it does require real preparation. The people who struggle with it are almost always those who assumed they could pick it up quickly without putting in structured study time.
This guide walks you through exactly what the test looks like, what it covers and how to prepare effectively.
Who needs to take the test
If you are between 18 and 59 years old, you are required to sit the citizenship test. Applicants under 18 or aged 60 and over are exempt.
The test is designed to assess your understanding of Australia: its history, its values, its system of government and what it means to be an Australian citizen.
What the test looks like
The test has 20 questions and you need to answer at least 15 correctly to pass. That is a pass mark of 75 percent. You have 45 minutes to complete it.
All questions are multiple choice. You take the test on a computer at a Department of Home Affairs office or an approved testing location. You are required to answer five specific questions about Australian values correctly, regardless of your overall score. Failing those five questions means failing the test even if your total score is above 75 percent.
Your result is given to you on the same day.
What the test covers
All the questions come from the official study resource called "Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond." This is the document published by the Department of Home Affairs and it is the only source you need to study from.
The material covers four main areas.
The first is Australia and its people. This includes Australia's geography, its Indigenous heritage, the history of migration and how the country developed into the multicultural society it is today.
The second is Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties. This section covers the values that underpin Australian society: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, equality under the law and respect for others. The five mandatory questions about Australian values come from this section.
The third is government and the law in Australia. This covers how the federal and state governments work, the role of the Constitution, the parliamentary system and the rule of law.
The fourth covers Australian citizenship, what it means and what the responsibilities of citizens are.
How to study effectively
Reading through Our Common Bond is where you start. The document is not long and most people can get through it in a couple of hours. The problem is that reading it once is rarely enough to retain the specific facts the test asks about.
After reading each section, test yourself on it before moving on. Use practice questions in the same multiple choice format as the real test. This tells you what has actually stuck and what needs another pass.
Pay close attention to the Australian values section. Those five questions are compulsory. Getting four of them right while scoring 16 out of 20 overall still means you fail. Know this section thoroughly.
In the days before your test, take a few full mock tests under timed conditions. Twenty questions in 45 minutes is generous, but doing it under time pressure gets you comfortable with the format.
How long does preparation take?
Most people are ready after two to three weeks of regular study. If you are already familiar with Australian history and politics from living here, you may need less time. If the material is mostly new to you, four weeks gives you a more comfortable margin.
Thirty minutes of active study per day, including practice questions and at least one or two mock tests in the final week, is a solid preparation routine.
What happens if you do not pass?
You can retake the test. The Department of Home Affairs will schedule another appointment for you. There is no limit on the number of times you can sit the test, though each attempt requires a separate booking.
Where to practise
PassCitizen has all the Australian citizenship test practice questions available for free, organised by section from Our Common Bond. You can study chapter by chapter or take a full 20-question timed mock test when you feel ready. No account needed.
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