The Australian values section is one of five topics covered in the citizenship test. It is not the longest section, but the questions have specific wording. Vague or close-enough answers will cost you marks.
What the values section covers
This section comes from the "Australian values" chapter of Our Common Bond. The core concepts are freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of association, equality between men and women, respect for the rule of law, and the idea of "a fair go". Australia is also described as a secular country, with English as the national language and multiculturalism as a recognised part of national identity.
The test does not ask you to discuss these concepts. It asks you to identify the correct statement about them from three options, and the correct option is the one that matches the wording in Our Common Bond.
The specific things you will be tested on
These five concepts come up most often in this section:
- Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of association are core Australian rights
- Men and women have equal rights under Australian law
- English is Australia's national language
- "A fair go" means everyone deserves an equal opportunity regardless of their background
- The rule of law applies to everyone, including the government itself
Example question
What is Australia's national language?
Answer: English. Our Common Bond states this explicitly. It is worth knowing because Australia does not have an official language in its constitution, but the test uses the language in the document, which calls English the national language.
Example question
In Australia, do men and women have equal rights?
Answer: Yes. Equality between men and women is stated directly in Our Common Bond as a core Australian value.
Why people lose marks here
The values section catches people out for one main reason: the test uses the exact phrasing from Our Common Bond. If you have studied from notes, summaries, or memory rather than the document itself, you may find that the correct answer option is worded slightly differently from what you remembered.
This is most common with "a fair go" and the rule of law. Both concepts can be described in multiple reasonable ways, but the test expects the version in the document.
How to study the values section
Read the Australian values chapter in the testable PDF directly. It is short. Do not skim it and do not rely on paraphrased study guides. The Study Guide page links straight to the official PDF without having to navigate the Home Affairs website.
After reading that chapter, take a practice test and check whether you are losing marks specifically on values questions. If the answer is yes, re-read the chapter before your next session. If not, you can shift your focus to whichever other topic is costing you most.
The audio lessons also cover the values section. Listening after you have already read the chapter helps reinforce the specific wording that comes up in questions.
Values compared to the rest of the test
The values section is shorter than the history and government sections, but that does not make it easier. Some applicants spend less time on it precisely because it seems more obvious, and then lose marks on questions they expected to get right.
Treat it the same way you treat the other four topics: read the source material, test yourself, and check your results before your appointment.
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