Our Common Bond — What’s Actually Tested (2026)
“Our Common Bond” is the official study booklet for the Australian Citizenship Test, published by the Department of Home Affairs. Every question on the real test comes from its testable section— but not everything in the booklet is testable. Here’s the part-by-part breakdown, what each section covers, and the facts worth memorising.
Download the official PDF free from the Department of Home Affairs — it’s available in English and 40+ other languages. (The test itself is in English.)
🌏 Australia and Its People
The first Australians and their continuous cultures, the First Fleet and colonial history, the Gold Rush and migration, Federation in 1901, the states, territories and capitals, national flags and what every element means, national symbols and colours, and days like Australia Day and Anzac Day.
- ✓1788 — First Fleet arrives (26 January)
- ✓1851 — Gold Rush begins
- ✓1901 — Federation
- ✓6 states, 2 mainland territories
🗳️ Australia's Democratic Beliefs, Rights and Liberties
Parliamentary democracy and the rule of law, freedom of speech, association and religion, equality regardless of gender, race or background, and the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship — voting, jury service, an Australian passport.
- ✓No one is above the law — including the government
- ✓Australia has no official religion
- ✓Voting is compulsory for citizens 18+
🏛️ Government and the Law in Australia
The three levels of government and who does what, the House of Representatives and the Senate, the Constitution and referendums, the Governor-General, how laws are made, and courts, judges and juries.
- ✓12 senators per state, 76 total
- ✓Over 150 members in the House of Representatives
- ✓Referendum = the only way to change the Constitution
⚖️ Australian Values
The section that fails people. Respect for freedom and dignity, equality of men and women, freedom of religion, commitment to the rule of law, mutual respect and 'a fair go'. Five of your 20 questions come from here, and every single one must be answered correctly.
- ✓5 Values questions per test
- ✓One wrong = automatic fail
- ✓Introduced November 2020
📖 Australia Today & Our Australian Story
Background sections about modern Australia, notable Australians, land and environment. Worth skimming for context — but no test questions come from these pages, so don't spend your revision time here.
Frequently asked questions
Is the whole 'Our Common Bond' booklet testable?
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No. Only the 'testable section' — Parts 1 to 4 (Australia and Its People; Australia's Democratic Beliefs, Rights and Liberties; Government and the Law in Australia; Australian Values) — can appear on the test. The remaining parts (Australia Today and Our Australian Story) are background reading only.
Where do I download the official booklet?
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Free from the Department of Home Affairs website (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au). It's available in English and more than 40 other languages, though the test itself is in English.
How long does it take to read?
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The testable section is roughly 40 pages. Most people can read it in 2–3 hours, but reading isn't the same as being test-ready — practice questions reveal what you've actually retained.
Is the booklet enough to pass?
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It contains every testable fact, so in theory yes. In practice, most people who fail did read the booklet — they just couldn't recall details under time pressure, or were caught by near-miss multiple-choice options they'd never practised against.
Read the booklet? Now test what stuck.
Take our free 20-question practice test — it mirrors the real exam format and shows exactly which sections need another pass.
Take the Free Practice Test →