Government and the Law — Citizenship Test Questions 2026
Government and the Law is the section most candidates find hardest. It covers how Australia is governed — the three levels of government, the two houses of Parliament, the Constitution, referendums, the courts — and it loves precise details: how many senators per state, who appoints judges, which level of government fixes local roads.
These “numbers and roles” questions are hard to bluff. If you haven’t seen them before test day, plausible-sounding wrong answers will trip you up. The 12 free practice questions below cover the most commonly tested facts from Part 3 of “Our Common Bond”.
12 free Government and the Law practice questions
Question 1What is a 'portfolio' in Australian government?
- AAn area of government responsibility assigned to a minister
- BA folder of government documents
- CThe Prime Minister's office
Reveal answer ↓
✓ Correct answer: A — An area of government responsibility assigned to a minister
A portfolio is an area of government responsibility, such as employment, Indigenous Affairs or the Treasury, assigned to a minister.
Question 2Who recommends members to become ministers in the Australian Government?
- AThe Senate
- BThe Prime Minister
- CThe Governor-General independently
Reveal answer ↓
✓ Correct answer: B — The Prime Minister
The Prime Minister recommends members of the House of Representatives or Senators to become ministers.
Question 3What can courts in Australia only base their decisions on?
- AAdvice from the government
- BThe evidence before them
- CReligious teachings
Reveal answer ↓
✓ Correct answer: B — The evidence before them
Courts can only base their decisions on the evidence before them.
Question 4What is the role of a judge or magistrate in court?
- AThe highest authority in a court, independently deciding cases
- BTo represent the government
- CTo advise the police
Reveal answer ↓
✓ Correct answer: A — The highest authority in a court, independently deciding cases
The judge or magistrate is the highest authority in a court and they are independent — no one can tell them what to decide.
Question 5Can the government remove a judge if it disagrees with their decision?
- AOnly the Prime Minister can
- BYes, at any time
- CNo, the government cannot take their jobs away if it disagrees
Reveal answer ↓
✓ Correct answer: C — No, the government cannot take their jobs away if it disagrees
Judges and magistrates are appointed by the government, but the government cannot take their jobs away if it disagrees with their decisions.
Question 6What is the presumption of innocence in Australia?
- APeople are considered innocent until found guilty in a court
- BPeople are assumed guilty until proven innocent
- CThe police decide innocence
Reveal answer ↓
✓ Correct answer: A — People are considered innocent until found guilty in a court
In Australia's court system, people are considered innocent until they are found guilty in a court.
Question 7Does every person have the right to a lawyer in an Australian court?
- AOnly for serious crimes
- BOnly if they can afford one
- CYes, every person has the right to be represented by a lawyer
Reveal answer ↓
✓ Correct answer: C — Yes, every person has the right to be represented by a lawyer
Every person has the right to be represented by a lawyer in court.
Question 8Who decides the penalty if a jury finds a person guilty in a criminal trial?
- AThe police
- BThe judge
- CThe jury
Reveal answer ↓
✓ Correct answer: B — The judge
In a criminal trial, if the jury finds a person guilty, the judge decides the penalty.
Question 9How is a jury selected in Australia?
- AChosen by the defendant
- BAppointed by the government
- CRandomly chosen from ordinary Australian citizens
Reveal answer ↓
✓ Correct answer: C — Randomly chosen from ordinary Australian citizens
A jury is a group of ordinary Australian citizens randomly chosen from the general population.
Question 10What does the judge do for the jury during a trial?
- AReplaces the jury if they disagree
- BExplains the law to the jury
- CTells the jury what verdict to reach
Reveal answer ↓
✓ Correct answer: B — Explains the law to the jury
The judge explains the law to the jury during a criminal trial.
Question 11What is the primary role of the police in Australia?
- ATo make laws
- BTo maintain peace and order, and protect life and property
- CTo collect taxes
Reveal answer ↓
✓ Correct answer: B — To maintain peace and order, and protect life and property
The police maintain peace and order in the community. It is their job to protect life and property.
Question 12Are the Australian police independent of the government?
- AOnly state police are independent
- BYes, they are independent of the government
- CNo, they answer to the Prime Minister
Reveal answer ↓
✓ Correct answer: B — Yes, they are independent of the government
The police are independent of the government.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Government and the Law section cover?
Show answer ↓
How Australia's parliamentary democracy works: federal, state and local government responsibilities, the House of Representatives and Senate, the Constitution and referendums, the role of the Governor-General, courts, judges and juries, and how laws are made and enforced.
How many Government and the Law questions are on the real test?
Show answer ↓
The 20 test questions are drawn across all sections of the testable booklet. You should expect roughly a quarter of your questions to involve government and law topics, though the exact mix varies from test to test.
What are the numbers I should memorise?
Show answer ↓
The high-yield facts: 12 senators per state (2 per territory, 76 total), over 150 members in the House of Representatives, 75% pass mark, federation in 1901, and voting is compulsory from age 18.
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