Our Common Bond
Part 1 of Our Common Bond: Australia and its people
Ten questions on Part 1 are ready below; the full list with answers follows the summary, so you can check a fact as soon as you miss it.
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Practice questions adapted by Radif Partners from Our Common Bond. Not the official test questions.
Questions adapted from Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, © Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 4.0, by Radif Partners.
Part 1 of the testable section of Our Common Bond, pages 7 to 16, is the part with the most hard facts to learn. It starts with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, whose cultures are the oldest continuous ones in the world and whose arrival the archaeological record places between 40,000 and 65,000 years ago. It then follows European settlement from the 11 ships of the First Fleet on 26 January 1788, the gold rush of 1851 and Federation in 1901, before describing the 6 states and 2 mainland territories with their capitals. It ends with traditions and symbols: Welcome to Country, Australia Day, Anzac Day, the three officially recognised flags, the Coat of Arms, the golden wattle, green and gold, the opal and the national anthem. Our bank has 63 practice questions on this part, but the official questions themselves are never published.
1.What is the capital city of Australia?
- · Sydney
- · Melbourne
- ✓ Canberra
- · Brisbane
Canberra, in the Australian Capital Territory, is the nation's capital. Parliament House, the High Court of Australia and several other national institutions are located there, in the territory that lies between Sydney and Melbourne.
Where to check: Part 1: Australia's states and territories
2.How many states and mainland territories make up Australia?
- · Five states and three territories
- ✓ Six states and two mainland territories
- · Seven states and one territory
- · Eight states
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a federation formed by six states plus two territories on the mainland. Canberra serves as the national capital, and every state and mainland territory has a capital city of its own.
Where to check: Part 1: Australia's states and territories
3.When is Australia Day celebrated?
- · 1 January
- ✓ 26 January
- · 25 April
- · 1 July
Australia Day falls on 26 January every year, and all states and territories observe it as a public holiday. The date recalls the landing of the First Fleet, which sailed from Great Britain and arrived in 1788.
Where to check: Part 1: Important days for Australians
4.On which date is Anzac Day commemorated?
- · 11 November
- · 26 January
- ✓ 25 April
- · 3 September
Anzac Day is held on 25 April. On that date in 1915, during World War I, Australian and New Zealand soldiers went ashore at Gallipoli in Türkiye. It is a solemn occasion to honour everyone who served and died in wars.
Where to check: Part 1: Important days for Australians
5.What is Australia's national flower?
- · Waratah
- ✓ Golden wattle
- · Banksia
- · Eucalyptus blossom
The golden wattle is the national flower. It is a small tree found mostly in Australia's south-east, with bright green foliage and masses of golden yellow blossoms in spring. Every state and territory has chosen a floral emblem too.
Where to check: Part 1: Australia's national flower
6.Who were the first inhabitants of Australia?
- · British convicts
- · Dutch explorers
- · Chinese gold miners
- ✓ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
The first people to live in Australia were the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Their cultures and traditions are the world's oldest continuous cultures, and their strong bond with the land is expressed through stories, art and dance.
Where to check: Part 1: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
7.Where do Torres Strait Islander people come from?
- ✓ Islands lying between Queensland's northern tip and Papua New Guinea
- · Islands south of Tasmania
- · The western coast of Western Australia
- · Islands near New Zealand
Torres Strait Islander people come from the islands that lie between Papua New Guinea and the northern tip of Queensland. Aboriginal people historically come from mainland Australia and Tasmania. Together they are Australia's first peoples.
Where to check: Part 1: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
8.According to the archaeological record, when did Aboriginal peoples arrive in Australia?
- · About 5,000 years ago
- · About 1,000 years ago
- · In 1788
- ✓ Between 40,000 and 65,000 years ago
Archaeological evidence shows that Aboriginal peoples reached Australia somewhere between 40,000 and 65,000 years ago. Aboriginal peoples themselves hold that they are at the heart of this land's creation stories, which start at the beginning of time.
Where to check: Part 1: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
9.How many convict ships made up the First Fleet that arrived from Great Britain in 1788?
- · 3
- ✓ 11
- · 20
- · 50
European settlement started on 26 January 1788, when the First Fleet of 11 convict ships reached Australia from Great Britain. Because British jails were overcrowded, the government sent convicts to the newly founded colony of New South Wales.
Where to check: Part 1: Early days of European settlement
10.Who served as the first Governor of New South Wales when it was a colony?
- ✓ Captain Arthur Phillip
- · Captain James Cook
- · Sir Henry Parkes
- · Captain Matthew Flinders
Captain Arthur Phillip was the first Governor of New South Wales as a colony. The settlement survived and expanded as more convicts and free settlers came, and other colonies were later founded in different parts of Australia.
Where to check: Part 1: Early days of European settlement
11.In which year did a gold rush start in the colonies of Victoria and New South Wales?
- · 1788
- ✓ 1851
- · 1901
- · 1915
A gold rush began in 1851 when gold was discovered in New South Wales and Victoria. People came from all around the world to seek their fortune, and within ten years Australia's population had more than doubled.
Where to check: Part 1: Early days of European settlement
12.During the gold rush, which group became the first large wave of migrants from outside Europe?
- · Indian people
- · American people
- · Japanese people
- ✓ Chinese people
Chinese people who arrived in the colonies during the gold rush of the 1850s were the first large group of migrants to Australia who did not come from Europe. They added to the growing diversity of the colonies.
Where to check: Part 1: Early days of European settlement
13.After which event were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples included in official estimates of Australia's population?
- ✓ The 1967 Referendum
- · Federation in 1901
- · The gold rush of 1851
- · The end of World War II
In 1901 Australia had about four million people, but this count left out Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. They were only counted in official estimates of the population after the 1967 Referendum.
Where to check: Part 1: The nation of Australia
14.What brought a wave of non-British migration to Australia after World War II?
- · A second gold rush
- · The end of convict transportation
- · The opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge
- ✓ Millions of Europeans were forced out of their homelands
After World War II, millions of Europeans were forced out of their homelands. Many of them came to Australia to start a new life, bringing a wave of migration from countries other than Britain.
Where to check: Part 1: The nation of Australia
15.What is Australia's national language?
- ✓ English
- · There is no national language
- · An Aboriginal language
- · Every state chooses its own
English is the national language and part of Australia's national identity. Speaking English helps people get the most out of life and work in Australia, and Australian values expect migrants to learn and use it.
Where to check: Part 1: The nation of Australia
16.How many distinct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages does the guide say are valued in Australia?
- · About 5
- · Exactly 12
- · Fewer than 20
- ✓ More than 100
English is the national language, but other languages are valued in Australia too. They include over 100 different languages of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, whose cultures are the world's oldest continuous cultures.
Where to check: Part 1: The nation of Australia
17.Which colony did the British establish first in Australia?
- · Victoria
- · Tasmania
- · Western Australia
- ✓ New South Wales
New South Wales was the first colony the British founded. Its capital, Sydney, is now the country's largest city, and both the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House are national icons.
Where to check: Part 1: The states
18.Which is the smallest of the mainland states?
- ✓ Victoria
- · Tasmania
- · South Australia
- · New South Wales
Victoria is the smallest state on the mainland, and Melbourne is its capital. Wealth from the 1850s gold rush paid for many of Victoria's fine buildings, and its icons include the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the 12 Apostles.
Where to check: Part 1: The states
19.Which is the largest state in Australia?
- · Queensland
- · New South Wales
- · South Australia
- ✓ Western Australia
Western Australia is the largest state, with Perth as its capital. Most of the eastern part of the state is desert, while the south-west is rich farming and wine country. Many large mining projects operate there.
Where to check: Part 1: The states
20.The Great Barrier Reef runs along the coast of which state?
- ✓ Queensland
- · New South Wales
- · Western Australia
- · Victoria
The world-famous Great Barrier Reef lies off Queensland's eastern coast. Queensland is the second largest state and its capital is Brisbane. It has tropical rainforests, mild coastal areas and an inland that is often dry.
Where to check: Part 1: The states
21.What separates Tasmania from the Australian mainland?
- · The Torres Strait
- · The Great Australian Bight
- · The Coral Sea
- ✓ The Bass Strait
Tasmania, the smallest state, is an island divided from the mainland by Bass Strait. Hobart is its capital, much of the island is untouched wilderness, and its well-known sights include Port Arthur, Cradle Mountain and the Bay of Fires.
Where to check: Part 1: The states
22.Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon are icons of which part of Australia?
- ✓ The Northern Territory
- · South Australia
- · Queensland
- · The Australian Capital Territory
Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon are icons of the Northern Territory. Its north is tropical and its south is dry red desert, and its capital city is Darwin.
Where to check: Part 1: The territories
23.Who performs a Welcome to Country?
- · The Prime Minister
- · Any guest at the event
- · A state Governor
- ✓ A local custodian who is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person
A Welcome to Country is given by a local custodian who is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, welcoming visitors onto their traditional land. It may involve songs, dances, smoking ceremonies or speeches and usually begins an event.
Where to check: Part 1: Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country protocols
24.As part of the Australia Day celebrations, who names the Australian of the Year Award winners in Canberra?
- ✓ The Prime Minister
- · The Chief Justice
- · The Mayor of Sydney
- · The Governor of Victoria
As part of Australia Day, it is the Prime Minister who names, in Canberra, the winners of the Australian of the Year Awards. Events are also held across the country on the day, including special citizenship ceremonies.
Where to check: Part 1: Important days for Australians
25.Anzac Day takes its name from which military force?
- · The Australian Navy and Air Corps
- · The Allied Nations Combined Army
- ✓ The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps
- · The Australian National Cadet Corps
Anzac Day takes its name from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, the force that landed at Gallipoli in Türkiye in World War I. On the day, Australians honour everyone who served, and those who died, in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
Where to check: Part 1: Important days for Australians
26.What do the seven points of the Commonwealth Star on the Australian National Flag represent?
- · The seven largest cities
- · The seven days of the week
- ✓ The six states and the territories
- · The seven seas around Australia
The Commonwealth Star, beneath the Union Jack on the Australian National Flag, has seven points. Six points represent the six states and one point represents the territories. The Southern Cross appears on the right of the flag.
Where to check: Part 1: Australia's flags
27.On the Australian Aboriginal Flag, what does the yellow circle represent?
- · Gold
- · The moon
- · The desert
- ✓ The sun
The Australian Aboriginal Flag has three colours: black, red and yellow. Its black upper half stands for the Aboriginal peoples of Australia, its red lower half for the earth and its ceremonial significance, and its yellow circle for the sun.
Where to check: Part 1: Australia's flags
28.Which two native animals support the shield on the Commonwealth Coat of Arms?
- ✓ A kangaroo and an emu
- · A koala and a platypus
- · A wombat and a kookaburra
- · A dingo and a cockatoo
On the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, a kangaroo and an emu, both native animals, support the shield, which represents the six states and federation. A gold Commonwealth Star sits above, against a background of golden wattle.
Where to check: Part 1: Commonwealth Coat of Arms
29.What is Australia's national gemstone?
- · The diamond
- ✓ The opal
- · The sapphire
- · The ruby
The national gemstone is the opal. An Aboriginal legend tells that the opal's colours were made when a rainbow touched the earth.
Where to check: Part 1: Australia's national gemstone
30.What is the title of Australia's national anthem?
- · Waltzing Matilda
- · I Am Australian
- ✓ Advance Australia Fair
- · Southern Cross
'Advance Australia Fair' is the national anthem. It is sung at events of national importance, such as citizenship ceremonies and major sporting events. Everyone joins in singing it at a citizenship ceremony.
Where to check: Part 1: Australia's national anthem
31.How does Our Common Bond describe the cultures and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
- ✓ As the longest unbroken cultures and traditions on earth
- · As traditions that arrived with the First Fleet
- · As customs that began after Federation
- · As practices found only in the Torres Strait
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures have continued without a break for longer than any others on earth. Their age-old beliefs still guide these communities today and form an important part of national identity.
Where to check: Part 1: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
32.Historically, where are Aboriginal people from?
- · Only the islands of the Torres Strait
- ✓ Mainland Australia and Tasmania
- · Papua New Guinea
- · New Zealand
Aboriginal people come historically from the mainland and from Tasmania. Torres Strait Islander people come from the islands between Queensland's northern tip and Papua New Guinea.
Where to check: Part 1: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
33.How do Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples express their deep connection with the land?
- · Through laws passed by the Senate
- · Through the words of the national anthem
- ✓ Through their stories, art and dance
- · Through the design of the state flags
The bond between Indigenous peoples and the land is carried in stories, art and dance. These diverse cultures are an important part of how Australia sees itself.
Where to check: Part 1: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
34.When is a Welcome to Country usually held at an event?
- · At the very end, after the speeches
- · During the meal break
- · Only if the Prime Minister attends
- ✓ At the start, as the first item of proceedings
A Welcome to Country normally opens an event. It is given by a local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander custodian to welcome visitors onto their traditional land.
Where to check: Part 1: Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country protocols
35.Who can deliver an Acknowledgement of Country?
- ✓ Anyone
- · Only an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Elder
- · Only the Governor-General
- · Only a member of parliament
Unlike a Welcome to Country, which a local custodian performs, an Acknowledgement of Country can be given by anyone. At meetings it is often the chair or the master of ceremonies who gives it.
Where to check: Part 1: Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country protocols
36.What does an Acknowledgement of Country recognise?
- · That the event has been approved by the police
- ✓ That the gathering takes place on Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander land
- · That the land belongs to the local council
- · That the meeting follows parliamentary rules
An Acknowledgement of Country recognises whose land the meeting is on and pays respect to Traditional Custodians, especially Elders past and present, and to any Indigenous people present.
Where to check: Part 1: Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country protocols
37.About what share of the Australian population are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
- · About thirty per cent
- · About half
- ✓ About three per cent
- · Less than one in a thousand
The glossary of the testable section notes that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the original inhabitants of the land, make up roughly three per cent of the population.
Where to check: Glossary of the testable section
38.On what date did the First Fleet arrive from Great Britain?
- · 25 April 1915
- · 1 January 1901
- · 26 January 1851
- ✓ 26 January 1788
The 11 ships of the First Fleet reached Australia on 26 January 1788, which marks the start of European settlement. Australia Day is held on the anniversary of that arrival.
Where to check: Part 1: Early days of European settlement
39.Why did the British Government decide to send convicts to New South Wales?
- ✓ British jails were too full to hold all the prisoners
- · Gold had just been found near Sydney
- · The colonies had voted to receive them
- · Convicts were needed to defend Federation
British laws of the time were harsh and the jails were overflowing. The government's answer was to ship convicts to the far side of the world, to the young colony of New South Wales.
Where to check: Part 1: Early days of European settlement
40.Where did the early free settlers in Australia come from?
- · China
- ✓ Great Britain and Ireland
- · Türkiye
- · New Zealand
The first free settlers were British and Irish. That heritage has strongly shaped Australia's culture, politics and recent history.
Where to check: Part 1: Early days of European settlement
41.What happened to Australia's population in the ten years after the 1851 gold rush began?
- · It fell by half
- · It stayed about the same
- ✓ It more than doubled
- · It grew by about ten per cent
News of gold in New South Wales and Victoria drew people from all over the world. Within a decade the population had grown to more than twice its earlier size.
Where to check: Part 1: Early days of European settlement
42.What is the capital city of Western Australia?
- · Adelaide
- ✓ Perth
- · Darwin
- · Hobart
Perth is the capital of Western Australia, the largest state. Adelaide is the capital of South Australia, Darwin of the Northern Territory and Hobart of Tasmania.
Where to check: Part 1: Australia's states and territories
43.Which is the second largest state?
- · Victoria
- · New South Wales
- ✓ Queensland
- · South Australia
Queensland comes second in size after Western Australia. Its capital is Brisbane, and the Great Barrier Reef lies along its east coast.
Where to check: Part 1: The states
44.Which is the smallest state in Australia?
- · Victoria
- · South Australia
- · New South Wales
- ✓ Tasmania
Tasmania, an island south of the mainland, is the smallest state overall. Victoria is the smallest of the states on the mainland, which is a common source of confusion.
Where to check: Part 1: The states
45.Darwin is the capital city of which part of Australia?
- ✓ The Northern Territory
- · Queensland
- · Western Australia
- · South Australia
Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territory, which is tropical in the north and red desert in the south. Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon are among its icons.
Where to check: Part 1: The territories
46.What colours is the Australian National Flag?
- · Green and gold
- ✓ Blue, white and red
- · Black, red and yellow
- · Green, blue, black and white
The national flag is blue, white and red. Green and gold are the national colours, black, red and yellow belong to the Aboriginal Flag, and green, blue, black and white to the Torres Strait Islander Flag.
Where to check: Part 1: Australia's flags
47.What does the Union Jack in the top left corner of the Australian National Flag represent?
- · The six states of Australia
- · The Aboriginal peoples of Australia
- ✓ British settlement and the laws and institutions inherited from it
- · The stars seen in the southern sky
The Union Jack is the flag of the United Kingdom. On the Australian flag it recalls that Australia was settled by the British and inherited its laws and institutions from them.
Where to check: Part 1: Australia's flags
48.On the Torres Strait Islander Flag, what do the green stripes represent?
- · The sea
- · The sun
- · Peace
- ✓ The land
On the Torres Strait Islander Flag, green stands for the land and the blue centre panel for the sea. The black lines represent the people and the white star stands for peace and the island groups.
Where to check: Part 1: Australia's flags
49.What are Australia's national colours?
- ✓ Green and gold
- · Blue and white
- · Red and white
- · Black and yellow
Green and gold are taken from the golden wattle, the national flower. National sports teams usually wear them.
Where to check: Part 1: Australia's national colours
50.On the Australian Aboriginal Flag, what does the red lower half represent?
- · The sun
- ✓ The earth, which has ceremonial significance
- · The sea
- · The Aboriginal peoples
The Aboriginal Flag is black on top for the Aboriginal peoples, red below for the earth and its ceremonial meaning, with a yellow circle for the sun.
Where to check: Part 1: Australia's flags
51.What does the shield in the centre of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms represent?
- · The Aboriginal peoples
- · The King of Australia
- ✓ The six states and federation
- · The national sports teams
The Coat of Arms is the Commonwealth's official emblem and stands for national unity. Its central shield represents the six states and federation, held up by a kangaroo and an emu.
Where to check: Part 1: Commonwealth Coat of Arms
52.Australia Day marks the anniversary of which event?
- · The landing at Gallipoli in 1915
- · Federation in 1901
- · The 1967 Referendum
- ✓ The First Fleet's arrival from Great Britain in 1788
Australia Day, on 26 January, recalls the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788. It is a day to reflect on Australian history and on everyone who has contributed to the nation.
Where to check: Part 1: Important days for Australians
53.Where in Australia is Australia Day a public holiday?
- ✓ In every state and territory
- · Only in New South Wales
- · Only in the Australian Capital Territory
- · In the states but not the territories
Australia Day is a public holiday across the whole country, in all six states and both mainland territories.
Where to check: Part 1: Important days for Australians
54.Which special ceremonies take place around Australia on Australia Day?
- · The swearing-in of new judges
- ✓ Citizenship ceremonies
- · The opening of the federal parliament
- · Federal election counts
Events are held right across Australia on 26 January, and many of them include special citizenship ceremonies where new citizens make the pledge.
Where to check: Part 1: Important days for Australians
55.Where did the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps land on 25 April 1915?
- · Sydney Cove
- · Darwin
- ✓ Gallipoli, in Türkiye
- · Port Arthur
The Anzacs landed at Gallipoli in Türkiye on 25 April 1915. That landing gives Anzac Day both its name and its date.
Where to check: Part 1: Important days for Australians
56.During which war did the Anzac landing at Gallipoli take place?
- · World War II
- · A war between the colonies
- · A conflict in the 1850s gold fields
- ✓ World War I
The landing at Gallipoli happened in 1915, during World War I. Do not confuse it with World War II, after which a large wave of European migrants came to Australia.
Where to check: Part 1: Important days for Australians
57.What kind of day is Anzac Day?
- ✓ A solemn day to remember Australians who served and died in war, conflict and peacekeeping
- · A festival with fireworks to mark Federation
- · A day when new laws come into force
- · A harvest celebration held in spring
On Anzac Day Australians remember the sacrifice of those who served and died, honour the courage of servicemen and women, and reflect on the different meanings of war.
Where to check: Part 1: Important days for Australians
58.What was Australia's population in 1901, not counting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
- · About one million
- ✓ About four million
- · About ten million
- · About forty million
Around four million people lived in Australia at Federation. That figure left out Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who were not counted in official estimates until after 1967.
Where to check: Part 1: The nation of Australia
59.In the first half of the 20th century, which migrants did programs actively encourage to settle in Australia?
- · Chinese migrants
- · American migrants
- ✓ British migrants
- · Migrants from South America
Migration rose and fell in the early 1900s, and programs were set up to attract settlers from Britain, many of whom came. Large non-British migration followed after World War II.
Where to check: Part 1: The nation of Australia
60.According to Our Common Bond, why have people come to Australia through recent migration and refugee programs?
- · Only to study for one year
- · Only to work in mining projects
- · Only to visit as tourists
- ✓ To join family, make a new life, or escape poverty, war or persecution
Recent migration and refugee programs have brought people from all over the world. Some come to be with family, some to build a new life and some to flee poverty, war or persecution.
Where to check: Part 1: The nation of Australia
61.Why should migrants learn and use English, in keeping with Australian values?
- ✓ To help them take part in Australian society
- · Because other languages are banned
- · Because only English is valued in Australia
- · Because it is needed to own a car
English is the national language and part of the national identity. Using it helps people get the most from life and work in Australia, while other languages, including Indigenous languages, are also valued.
Where to check: Part 1: The nation of Australia
62.Which heritage has strongly shaped Australia's recent history, culture and politics?
- · Dutch and Portuguese
- ✓ British and Irish
- · American
- · French
Because the first free settlers were British and Irish, that heritage left a deep mark on Australian culture and politics. Later migration has added people from all over the world.
Where to check: Part 1: Early days of European settlement
63.While celebrating the diversity of its people, what does Australia also aim to build?
- · Separate communities with separate laws
- · A nation with one official religion
- ✓ A cohesive and unified nation
- · A country closed to new migrants
Australia's population has grown more diverse over two centuries, which strengthens its links with the world. Alongside that diversity, the goal is a nation that holds together.
Where to check: Part 1: The nation of Australia
Part 1: Australia and its people
63
questions here, 229 in the whole bank. Open one to see the answer and where to check it in Our Common Bond.
Questions adapted from Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, © Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 4.0, by Radif Partners.
Questions, dates and fees by Radif Partners · Editorial policy · How questions and dates are built
What Part 1 asks you to understand
The booklet opens Part 1 by linking it to the pledge: new citizens promise loyalty to Australia and its people, so they should know who those people are, where the country came from and what it celebrates. Expect questions that test recognition (a date, a capital, a colour) more than reasoning. That makes Part 1 the most rewarding part to revise with lists and flashcards, and the one where a second reading pays off most. It is split into six areas, each with its own study page.
| Area | What to retain | Study page |
|---|---|---|
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples | oldest continuous cultures; where each people comes from; Welcome and Acknowledgement of Country | First Australians |
| Settlement and Federation | 11 convict ships, Captain Arthur Phillip, gold rush of 1851, Federation in 1901 | History and Federation |
| Migration and the people | population of about four million in 1901, post-war European migration, English as national language | History and Federation |
| States and territories | 6 states, 2 mainland territories, eight capitals, largest and smallest | States and territories |
| National days | Australia Day on 26 January, Anzac Day on 25 April | National days |
| Flags and symbols | three flags, Coat of Arms, golden wattle, green and gold, opal, anthem | National symbols |
The people: three waves to keep in order
The story the booklet tells is one of layers. First come Aboriginal peoples, from the mainland and Tasmania, and Torres Strait Islander people, from the islands between Queensland and Papua New Guinea. Then the British and Irish: convicts first, because British jails were overflowing, then free settlers whose heritage shaped politics and culture. Then the world: Chinese miners during the gold rush were the first large non-European group, a wave of Europeans arrived after World War II, and recent migration and refugee programs bring people from everywhere to join family, build a new life or escape poverty, war or persecution. Keep that order in mind and most history questions answer themselves.
Numbers in Part 1
- 40,000 to 65,000 years: arrival of Aboriginal peoples according to archaeology.
- more than 100: distinct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages valued today.
- 11: ships in the First Fleet, which arrived on 26 January 1788.
- 1851: start of the gold rush; within 10 years the population had more than doubled.
- about four million: population at Federation, not counting Indigenous peoples, who were included in official estimates only after the 1967 Referendum.
- 7: points on the Commonwealth Star, six for the states and one for the territories.
Where people lose marks
Most errors in Part 1 come from near-misses rather than gaps. Canberra is the capital but Sydney is the largest city. The ACT sits between Sydney and Melbourne. Western Australia is the largest state, Queensland the second largest. The Aboriginal Flag is black, red and yellow; the Torres Strait Islander Flag is green, blue, black and white; the national flag is blue, white and red; and the national colours are green and gold, taken from the wattle. A Welcome to Country is given by a local custodian, while anyone may give an Acknowledgement of Country.
A two-session plan for this part
Session one: read pages 7 to 16 of the testable section and draw a rough map with the eight capitals, then answer the ten questions above. Session two: open the question list below this summary, cover the answers and say each one aloud before revealing it. Questions you miss twice go on a card. When you reach eight or more out of ten on repeated sets, move on to Part 2, which is shorter but asks you to understand principles rather than recall names.
How Part 1 links to the rest of the booklet
Federation reappears in Part 3, this time from the angle of the Constitution, so learning 1901 here earns marks twice. English as the national language comes back in Part 4 as a value. And the 1967 Referendum, mentioned in Part 1 for the population count, is used in Part 3 as the example of how the Constitution changes. Reading the parts in order is therefore worthwhile: each one builds on facts introduced earlier.