Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties — what this test area covers
This is one of the four official test areas, drawn from Part 2 of Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond. It is the “what you give and what you gain” area: democratic beliefs, freedoms such as freedom of speech and freedom of religion, and the responsibilities and privileges that come with citizenship. At the citizenship ceremony these become personal — you make a pledge of loyalty to Australia and its people, whose democratic beliefs you share, whose rights and liberties you respect, and whose laws you will uphold and obey.
Responsibilities — what citizens give
- Obey the law.
- Vote in elections — voting is compulsory for citizens aged 18 and over.
- Defend Australia should the need arise — while serving in the defence force itself is voluntary.
- Serve on a jury if called — like voting, this applies from age 18.
Civic life also runs on tax, which is required by law and funds services like healthcare, education and defence, and on referendums — the national votes by which citizens, and only citizens, change the Constitution.
Privileges — what citizens gain
- Apply for an Australian passport and re-enter Australia freely.
- Apply for jobs in the public service or the defence force.
- Seek election to parliament.
- Ask for help from an Australian official while overseas.
The traps in this area
Three misreadings do most of the damage: calling defence-force service compulsory (it is voluntary — the responsibility is to defend Australia if the need arises); mixing up responsibilities (things you must do) with privileges (things you may apply for); and forgetting that voting is both a right and a responsibility. A quick sort — “must do” versus “may apply for” — settles most questions here.
How to study this area
Sort every fact into two columns — give and gain — and the area almost studies itself. Our free practice app has 85 verified questions on this area alone (of 500 overall), each answer citing the booklet section and page it was checked against — and you can drill this topic on its own, then sit full mock exams under the real rules: 20 questions, 45 minutes, 75% to pass and an all-correct values section. Want to see the question style first? The free Q&A sample includes questions from this area, with citations. For the full route from booklet to test day, follow the six-step study plan.
The four test areas
- Australia and its people
- Government and the law in Australia
- Australian values
- All four areas — what is on the citizenship test?
Frequently asked questions
What are the responsibilities of an Australian citizen?
Obey the law, vote in elections, defend Australia should the need arise, and serve on a jury if called. Voting and jury duty apply to citizens aged 18 and over; serving in the defence force itself is voluntary.
What are the privileges of Australian citizenship?
Applying for an Australian passport and re-entering Australia freely, applying for jobs in the public service or defence force, seeking election to parliament, and asking for help from an Australian official while overseas.
What do you commit to in the Australian Citizenship Pledge?
Loyalty to Australia and its people, sharing their democratic beliefs, respecting their rights and liberties, and upholding and obeying Australia's laws. The Pledge is made at the citizenship ceremony.
More citizenship test guides
- What is on the citizenship test?
- What score do you need to pass?
- Australian Values questions
- Free practice questions and answers
- What happens if you fail?
- The test in your language
- How to pass — the study plan
- Our Common Bond — booklet summary
- Cost, eligibility & booking
- Free practice app — 500 source-verified questions, lessons and mock exams
Unofficial study aid — not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the Australian Government or the Department of Home Affairs. Every practice question is verified against the official booklet. Always confirm anything important against the official Our Common Bond booklet.