An Immigration Expert's Checklist for the Australian Citizenship Test 2025

The Australian citizenship test is one of the crucial processes that thousands of candidates awaiting to make Australia their new home have to take. The process is direct to many, yet a high number of people fail, particularly after the introduction of changes. This guide disaggregates all you should know, including the format of the test, questions that are mandatory to be answered, and the requirements, as well as study materials that will help you pass the test the first time you take it.

What is the Australian Citizenship Test?

The citizenship by conferral application requires an Australian citizenship test. It is aimed at assessing the willingness of an applicant to become a part of Australian society. The Department of Home Affairs claims that passing the test demonstrates that an applicant:

• Knows what it means to be an Australian citizen.

• Knows enough about Australian society, values, and laws.

• Demonstrates the belief in the principles of mutual respect and equality.

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Who Needs to Take the Test?

It is a compulsory test for a majority of the applicants between the ages of 18 and 59. The Department of Home Affairs books the test appointment once they have verified the identity and eligibility of an applicant.​ Nonetheless, some people are not required to complete the test:

• Applicants aged 17 or younger.

• Applicants aged 60 or older.

• Those who have permanent or long-term physical or mental impairment.

• Individuals born to the former Australian citizens who lost.

• Born in Papua before the year 1975 to an Australian-born parent.

• Stateless-born Australians.

Test Format and Key Requirements

The Australian citizenship test has its own format, and the applicants should be conversant with it. It is a college-level, computer-based exam, which is administered in English at a prescribed testing facility.​

The test consists of 20 multiple-choice questions selected randomly as part of a bigger set of questions. In order to pass, an applicant is required to have a total score of 75 or above, meaning that after he has answered 15 out of 20 questions correctly. Most importantly, the applicants should respond to the five questions showing the Australian values correctly. The whole test has to be taken in the space of 45 minutes.

The Five Australian Values: A Critical Section

The Australian citizenship test section dealing with Australian values is the most critical. The test has contained five obligatory questions concerning this topic since 2020, and anything less than one correct answer on this topic means an overall test failure.​ These values are outlined in the Our Common Bond resource, and they are:

1. Admiration for the Liberty and Human Dignity of the Person: The rights of others to express themselves and to make their own choices.

2. Freedom of Religion: The right not to be persecuted because of his/her practised religion or the lack of it.

3. Adherence to the Rule of Law: The fact that citizens are equal before the law, and there are no citizens above the law.

4. Parliamentary Democracy: This is the system in which the government is constituted by elected people into offices.

5. Equal Opportunity to Everyone: The notion of fair play, where achievement will not be determined by birth or wealth but by hard work and talent alone.

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How to Prepare for the Test: Study Materials and Tips

Thorough preparation is the key to passing the Australian citizenship test on your first try. While the test covers a wide range of topics, the Department of Home Affairs provides specific materials and resources to guide applicants. A structured study plan will help ensure you cover all necessary information.​

Eligibility and Preparation

Before you can even sit for the test, you must meet several key eligibility criteria for Australian citizenship.

The primary resource for study is the official guide, Our Common Bond, provided by the Department of Home Affairs. All test questions are based on the testable section of this booklet. It covers Australian history, its people, democratic beliefs, government, law, and values. Practice tests are also available on the Home Affairs website and other online resources.​

What Happens After the Test?

In case you pass the Australian citizenship test, then it proceeds to the last stages of processing. The second step will be to get an invitation to a citizenship ceremony, and this may take several months, according to the schedule of your local council. It is during this ceremony that you will unofficially become a citizen by swearing the Australian Citizenship Pledge. 

In case you fail, you are allowed to take the test again. No extra charge is usually charged on the initial three attempts. It is possible to reschedule to another test, usually on the same day, provided time is available, and this will allow you an immediate opportunity to retake the test after examining your weak points.

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Conclusion

Passing the Australian citizenship test is a manageable but serious step that requires dedicated preparation. By understanding the test's format, focusing on the five mandatory Australian values questions, and thoroughly studying the Our Common Bond resource, applicants can confidently meet the citizenship test requirements. Success on the test is the final hurdle before attending a citizenship ceremony and proudly taking the pledge to become an Australian citizen.

For the most current and official information, applicants should always refer to the Department of Home Affairs website, which is the primary source for all citizenship test materials and updates. To know more about Australian immigration, visit TerraTern now!