Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond — A Chapter Guide

Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond is the official resource booklet for the Australian citizenship test. Every test question is drawn from its testable section — the first four parts of the booklet. The remaining part is useful background reading, but you will not be tested on it. This guide walks through Our Common Bond chapter by chapter so you know what to focus on.

The short answer: study Parts 1 to 4 closely, give Part 4 (Australian values) extra attention, and download the booklet free from the Department of Home Affairs website (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au).

Where to Get the Our Common Bond Booklet

The booklet is published by the Department of Home Affairs and is free. You can read it online or download it as a PDF from the Department's citizenship pages. Translated versions have been published in a number of community languages, including Vietnamese, which can help you understand difficult ideas — but remember the test itself is in English, so learn the key terms in English too. Be careful with unofficial copies: always download from the Department so you have the current edition.

How the Booklet Is Organised

The booklet opens with an introduction and the Australian Citizenship Pledge, then moves through four testable parts, followed by a non-testable part about modern Australia. The testable parts are:

1. Part 1: Australia and its people
2. Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties
3. Part 3: Government and the law in Australia
4. Part 4: Australian values

Part 1: Australia and Its People

Part 1 introduces the land and the people. It covers the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first Australians, the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788, Federation on 1 January 1901, and the waves of migration that shaped modern Australia. It also describes the six states and two major mainland territories and their capital cities.

A large share of Part 1 is about national symbols and days: the Australian National Flag, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, the golden wattle, the green and gold national colours, the opal, the national anthem Advance Australia Fair, and days such as Australia Day and Anzac Day. Our guide to Australian national symbols covers these in detail.

Part 2: Democratic Beliefs, Rights and Liberties

Part 2 explains what Australians believe in as a democracy: parliamentary democracy, the rule of law, living peacefully and respect for all individuals. It sets out key freedoms — speech and expression, association, assembly and protest, and religion — and explains equality under the law. It also lists the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship, such as obeying the law, voting in elections, serving on a jury if called, and defending Australia should the need arise.

Part 3: Government and the Law in Australia

Part 3 is often the hardest part for learners because of its vocabulary. It covers the Australian Constitution and referendums, the separation of powers, the three levels of government, the role of the King and the Governor-General, how Parliament and elections work, the role of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and how courts and police operate. Take this part slowly and make a glossary of terms like legislative, executive and judicial.

Part 4: Australian Values

Part 4 brings together the values that underpin Australian society: respect for the equal worth, dignity and freedom of each individual; freedom of speech, religion and association; support for parliamentary democracy and the rule of law; equality of opportunity and equality of men and women; peacefulness; and a spirit of egalitarianism that includes mutual respect, tolerance, fair play and compassion for those in need. This matters because you must answer all five values questions correctly to pass. Read our Australian values guide alongside this part.

The Non-Testable Section

The final part, about Australia today, covers topics such as the economy, culture, sport and the natural environment. Questions are not drawn from it, so read it for interest once your testable study is complete.

How to Study Our Common Bond

• Read one part at a time and note unfamiliar words.
• Test yourself after each part with sample questions before moving on.
• Revisit Part 4 regularly — it is short, but the stakes are highest.
• Follow a schedule, such as our two-week study plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Our Common Bond free?

Yes. The Department of Home Affairs publishes the booklet free on its website, and you can download it as a PDF.

Do I need to memorise the whole booklet?

No. Focus on the testable section (Parts 1 to 4). Understanding the ideas is more useful than memorising sentences word for word.

Is there a Vietnamese version of Our Common Bond?

Translated versions have been published, including in Vietnamese. Check the Department's website for current availability, and practise the key terms in English because the test is in English.

Are the test questions printed in the booklet?

No. The booklet contains the information the questions are based on, not the questions themselves. Practice questions help you check whether you can apply what you have read.

Turn Reading Into Recall

Reading Our Common Bond is the first step; recalling it under test conditions is the second. CitiZen AU lets you practise questions part by part, in English and Vietnamese, then take full 20-question mock tests and track which topics still need work.