Our Common Bond
Part 4 of Our Common Bond: Australian values, heading by heading
Answer ten Part 4 questions first; below the summary you can open every values question in the bank with its answer.
Independent, non-government site: tests, applications and appointments are handled only on the Home Affairs website.
Your score
0 / 0
0 / 10 answered
Pick an answer to start
| Practice set of 10 questions, target 75% |
| You can still miss 2 |
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 4 of Our Common Bond, pages 33 to 39, describes Australian values based on freedom, respect, fairness and equality of opportunity, and asks new citizens to live them out in everyday life. It has two halves. The first, "Our values", covers commitment to the Rule of Law, parliamentary democracy, freedom of speech, association and religion, equality of all people under the law, a fair go, and mutual respect and tolerance. The second, "Our community", covers making a contribution, compassion and mateship, English as the national language, helping to keep society safe and loyalty to Australia. Almost every heading comes with a concrete legal example, such as polygamy and forced marriage being crimes, the age of consent of 16 or 17, or divorce being open to either spouse. Each test draws 5 values questions from this part and all must be right; our bank has 51 of them.
1.Can a religious law override Australian law?
- · Yes, if the community agrees
- · Yes, for family matters
- ✓ No, Australian law prevails over a religious practice
- · Only in private homes
There is no official national religion in Australia, and people may follow any religion or none. Australian laws must be obeyed at all times: if an Australian law and a religious practice conflict, the Australian law takes priority.
Where to check: Part 4: Freedom of religion
2.Do women and men have equal rights in Australia?
- ✓ Yes
- · No
- · Only at work
- · Only in courts
Yes. In Australia, women and men have equal rights. Both can access education and jobs on equal terms, vote and stand for parliament, join the police and the Australian Defence Force, and are treated equally in the courts.
Where to check: Part 4: Equality of all people under the law
3.Is it acceptable to promote violence against a group because of its religion?
- · Yes, in a private meeting
- · Yes, if it is true
- ✓ No, never
- · Only online
Promoting violence against another person or group is never acceptable, for example on the grounds of their culture, ethnicity, religion or background. It goes against Australian values and against the law, whatever the setting.
Where to check: Part 4: Freedom of speech
4.Under the Rule of Law, who must obey Australian laws?
- · Only citizens
- ✓ Everyone in Australia
- · Everyone except politicians
- · Only adults born in Australia
Under the Rule of Law, every Australian is equal before the law, and nobody, whether a person or a group, stands above it. Australian laws apply to everyone in Australia, whatever their background or culture.
Where to check: Part 4: Commitment to the Rule of Law
5.Can a person be forced to join or stay in an organisation?
- · Yes, a trade union
- · Yes, a religious group
- ✓ No, joining or leaving is voluntary
- · Only a political party
People in Australia may join or leave any lawful group of their own free will, such as a political party, a trade union, or a religious, cultural or social group. Nobody can be forced to join an organisation or made to leave one.
Where to check: Part 4: Freedom of association
6.Under the Rule of Law, should you obey the law even when no one is watching?
- · No, only when police are present
- ✓ Yes, always
- · Only in public places
- · Only if you agree with the law
Australians see laws as important for a peaceful and orderly society. Everyone should obey the law at all times or face penalties, and people should keep to the law even when nobody is watching.
Where to check: Part 4: Commitment to the Rule of Law
7.Do newspapers, television and radio in Australia have freedom of speech?
- · No, the government decides what they publish
- · Only newspapers do
- ✓ Yes, they have the same freedom as people, within the law
- · Only during elections
In Australia people may speak and write their opinions on any subject, within the law. Newspapers, television and radio enjoy the same freedom.
Where to check: Part 4: Freedom of speech
8.Which of these is illegal in Australia, even though freedom of speech is valued?
- · Disagreeing with a government policy
- · Writing a letter to a newspaper
- · Discussing politics with friends
- ✓ Making false allegations or encouraging others to break the law
Freedom of speech in Australia has limits set by law. It is illegal to make false allegations or to encourage others to break the law, and other people's lawful freedom of speech and expression must always be respected.
Where to check: Part 4: Freedom of speech
9.Is polygamy (having more than one husband or wife at the same time) legal in Australia?
- ✓ No, it is against the law
- · Yes, if all partners agree
- · Yes, if a religion allows it
- · Yes, if the marriages took place overseas and are kept private
Some religious or cultural practices are illegal in Australia. Polygamy, meaning having more than one husband or wife at the same time, is against the law and can lead to severe penalties, including prison.
Where to check: Part 4: Freedom of religion
10.A family wants to arrange their daughter's marriage without her free consent. What does Australian law say?
- · It is allowed if the family's culture accepts it
- ✓ Forced marriage is against the law and can lead to imprisonment
- · It is allowed if a religious leader agrees
- · It is a private family matter
Forced marriage, where one or both people do not freely choose to marry, is illegal in Australia. As with polygamy, it can lead to severe penalties, including prison, whatever the family's cultural or religious views.
Where to check: Part 4: Freedom of religion
11.Is religious intolerance acceptable in Australian society?
- · Yes, towards minority religions
- · Yes, if expressed privately
- ✓ No, it is not acceptable
- · Only between neighbours
Religious intolerance has no place in Australian society. Everyone should have an equal chance to pursue their own goals and interests, whatever their ethnicity or religion, provided they obey Australian law.
Where to check: Part 4: Freedom of religion
12.How does Australian law treat people of different faiths, such as Buddhists and Christians?
- · Christians receive preferential treatment
- · Buddhists receive preferential treatment
- · Only the largest religion is protected
- ✓ They receive the same treatment
In Australia the law is applied so that nobody receives preferential treatment or suffers discrimination because of their background. For example, Buddhists and followers of every other faith are treated exactly as Christians are.
Where to check: Part 4: Equality of all people under the law
13.Under Australian law, can two women marry each other?
- ✓ Yes
- · No
- · Only in one state
- · Only if they were married overseas
Australian society values equal rights for everyone, whatever their gender or sexual orientation. Under Australian law, any two people may marry, including two women or two men.
Where to check: Part 4: Equality of all people under the law
14.A woman and a man apply for the same job. The woman has better qualifications and skills. Is it her right to get the job ahead of the man?
- · No, men must be chosen first
- ✓ Yes
- · Only if no man applies
- · Only in the public service
Discriminating against someone because of their gender is illegal. In Australia, a woman who has better qualifications and skills than a man has the right to be given the job ahead of him.
Where to check: Part 4: Equality of all people under the law
15.Who has the right to make their own choices about personal matters like religion and marriage?
- · Only men
- · Only the head of the family
- ✓ Both men and women
- · Only parents
In Australia, women and men alike have the right to make their own choices about personal matters such as religion and marriage. The law protects them from intimidation or violence linked to those choices.
Where to check: Part 4: Equality of all people under the law
16.Can a wife apply to the courts for a divorce even if her husband wishes to continue the marriage?
- · No, both must agree
- · Only the husband can apply
- · Only with a religious leader's permission
- ✓ Yes, either spouse may apply
Divorce is accepted in Australia. A wife or a husband can ask the courts for a divorce, even when the other spouse wants the marriage to continue. Both spouses have equal rights.
Where to check: Part 4: Equality of all people under the law
17.When an organisation is filling a job, whom does the law support it in choosing?
- ✓ The applicant whose skills and experience best fit the job
- · A member of the owner's family
- · The applicant with the most money
- · Someone of the same ethnicity as the manager
What someone achieves should come from hard work and talent. Jobs should go to people on the basis of skills and experience, not gender, wealth or ethnicity, and the law supports organisations in choosing the person best suited to the role.
Where to check: Part 4: Equality of opportunity and a 'fair go'
18.A neighbour has opinions and lifestyle choices very different from your own. What do Australian values expect of you?
- · To avoid them completely
- ✓ To listen and respect their views, being tolerant where you disagree
- · To try to make them change
- · To complain about them to the police
Australia values mutual respect and tolerance. This means respecting the freedom, dignity, opinions and choices of others, listening to them and respecting their views even when they differ from your own.
Where to check: Part 4: Mutual respect and tolerance for others
19.Is verbal abuse of another person acceptable in Australia?
- · Yes, if no one is physically hurt
- · Yes, within the family
- ✓ No, violence of any kind, including verbal abuse, is illegal
- · Only if the person deserves it
Being violent towards another person is against the law. All violence, verbal and physical abuse included, is illegal. Australians believe people can disagree peacefully and have the right to be safe from violence and intimidation.
Where to check: Part 4: Mutual respect and tolerance for others
20.What is the age of sexual consent in Australia?
- · 14 in all states
- · 15 in all states
- ✓ 16 or 17, depending on the state or territory
- · 21 in all states
Australia's laws on the age of sexual consent are very strict. The age is 16 or 17, depending on the state or territory. For example, it is illegal everywhere in Australia for a man aged 20 to have sex with a girl aged 15.
Where to check: Part 4: Mutual respect and tolerance for others
21.A police officer makes a lawful request of you. What should you do?
- · Ignore it if you are busy
- · Obey only if the officer is senior
- · Ask a friend to respond for you
- ✓ Obey the lawful request
Australians should support the police when they act lawfully. You should comply with any lawful police request, because all Australians commit to obeying the law. The police protect life and property.
Where to check: Part 4: Mutual respect and tolerance for others
22.Which of these is an example of racism that has no place in Australia?
- ✓ Making racially abusive comments at a sporting event
- · Cheering for your national team
- · Learning about another culture
- · Celebrating a cultural festival
There is no place for racism in Australia. That includes making or sharing racially offensive material online or in other publications, and making racially abusive remarks in public or at a sporting event.
Where to check: Part 4: Mutual respect and tolerance for others
23.What responsibility does everyone in Australia have, when they are able to?
- · To rely entirely on government payments
- ✓ To try to support themselves and their families
- · To work only for the government
- · To leave their family's support to others
Australians expect everyone who lives in Australia to take part in society and contribute to the community. Everyone has a responsibility to try to provide for themselves and their families if they are able to.
Where to check: Part 4: Making a contribution
24.What does the Australian value of 'mateship' mean?
- · Choosing friends from the same background only
- · Supporting the same sporting team
- ✓ Helping each other, especially in times of need
- · Avoiding contact with neighbours
Australians value 'mateship', which means helping one another in hard times. Examples include bringing a meal to an elderly neighbour, giving a friend a lift to see a doctor, or calling in on someone who is lonely, frail or unwell.
Where to check: Part 4: Compassion for those in need
25.What must applicants for Australian citizenship whose native language is not English undertake to do?
- · Speak only English at home
- · Give up their first language
- · Pass a university English degree
- ✓ Make reasonable efforts to learn English
English is valued as Australia's national language and something that unites society. People applying for Australian citizenship must commit to making reasonable efforts to learn English if it is not their first language.
Where to check: Part 4: English as the national language
26.You think a neighbour might be planning a serious crime. What should you do?
- ✓ Tell the Australian government authorities without delay
- · Ignore it as none of your business
- · Warn the neighbour only
- · Wait until the crime happens
Everyone in Australia shares responsibility for helping to protect society. Anyone who suspects that a friend or neighbour may be planning a serious crime should tell the Australian government authorities without delay.
Where to check: Part 4: Helping to keep our society safe
27.If a person in Australia sees or knows about a child being abused, what should they do?
- · Keep it within the family
- ✓ Report it to the police to investigate
- · Discuss it only with friends
- · Do nothing unless asked
Keeping society safe includes protecting children. Anyone in Australia who sees a child being abused, or knows that it is happening, should tell the police so that it can be investigated.
Where to check: Part 4: Helping to keep our society safe
28.Which of these is an example of cyber abuse, many forms of which are illegal in Australia?
- · Posting a holiday photo of yourself
- · Sending a birthday message to a friend
- ✓ Sharing sexual photos of someone online without their consent
- · Joining an online book club
Online abuse, also called cyber abuse, is not accepted in Australia. Examples include posting sexual images or videos of someone online without their consent, stalking someone online, and posting racially abusive comments about a person on the internet.
Where to check: Part 4: Helping to keep our society safe
29.An Australian citizen is also a citizen of another country. While in Australia, which laws must they follow?
- · Only the laws of their other country
- · Whichever laws they prefer
- · Only Australian traffic laws
- ✓ All Australian laws at all times
Australian citizens may hold dual or multiple citizenship where the other countries' laws permit it. However, while in Australia an Australian citizen must obey every Australian law at all times, even if they are a citizen of another country too.
Where to check: Part 4: Loyalty to Australia
30.Which of these would undermine Australia's interests and security?
- ✓ Posting official government secrets on social media
- · Voting in a federal election
- · Joining a local sports club
- · Volunteering at a bushfire relief centre
Australian society rests on a shared duty not to harm Australia's interests and security. For example, posting official government secrets on social media would damage Australia's interests.
Where to check: Part 4: Loyalty to Australia
31.Why do Australians recognise the importance of laws?
- ✓ They help keep society peaceful and orderly
- · They put the government beyond criticism
- · They apply only to new migrants
- · They remove the need for courts
Laws and legal systems protect everyone in Australia. Australians see them as essential to a society that is orderly and at peace.
Where to check: Part 4: Commitment to the Rule of Law
32.A person has just arrived in Australia from a country with different customs. Do Australian laws apply to them?
- · No, not until they become citizens
- ✓ Yes, Australian law covers everyone in Australia, whatever their background
- · No, they may follow their home country's laws for five years
- · Only if they speak English
Australian law covers everyone in the country. Background and culture make no difference: anyone in Australia must follow its laws.
Where to check: Part 4: Commitment to the Rule of Law
33.Why are peaceful protests against the government allowed in Australia?
- · Because the government cannot make laws about protests
- · Because protests replace elections
- ✓ Accepting peaceful protest in public is a basic part of democracy
- · Because protesters are above the law
Australians may peacefully protest against government actions. Accepting peaceful protest is seen as a basic part of a democratic society, as long as the law is obeyed.
Where to check: Part 4: Freedom of speech
34.Which of these is an acceptable way to disagree with a government decision?
- · Damaging public property
- · Threatening a minister
- · Spreading false allegations about officials
- ✓ Joining a peaceful protest
People can gather freely to protest, but every protest must stay within the law: it must be peaceful, hurt no one and damage no property.
Where to check: Part 4: Freedom of association
35.Do religious laws have legal status in Australia?
- ✓ No
- · Yes, for members of that religion
- · Yes, in family matters
- · Yes, if a community votes for them
Religious laws carry no legal weight in Australia. Everyone must follow Australian law, including where it differs from religious rules.
Where to check: Part 4: Freedom of religion
36.Should everyone have an equal chance to work towards their goals, whatever their ethnicity or religion?
- · No, people born in Australia come first
- ✓ Yes, as long as they obey Australian law
- · Only in some states
- · Only if they share the majority religion
Religious intolerance is not accepted. Everyone should have the same chance to go after their goals and interests, whatever their ethnicity or religion, provided they keep to the law.
Where to check: Part 4: Freedom of religion
37.Which of these can both men and women do in Australia?
- · Only men can join the Defence Force
- · Only men can stand for parliament
- ✓ Vote, stand for parliament and join the police force
- · Only women can apply to the courts for a divorce
Women and men have equal access to education and work, can vote and stand for parliament, can join the Defence Force and the police, and are treated equally by the courts.
Where to check: Part 4: Equality of all people under the law
38.Is physical violence against a spouse or partner ever acceptable in Australia?
- · Yes, inside the home
- · Yes, if the couple's culture allows it
- · Only if the partner agrees
- ✓ No, it is a criminal offence
Violence against a husband, wife or partner is never acceptable and is a crime. Both partners are protected by the law from intimidation and violence.
Where to check: Part 4: Equality of all people under the law
39.Should a person get a job because of their gender, wealth or ethnicity?
- ✓ No, jobs should be based on skills and experience
- · Yes, if the employer prefers it
- · Yes, for jobs in a family business
- · Only for government jobs
Australians believe success should come from hard work and talent. A job should go to the person with the right skills and experience, not to someone because of gender, wealth or ethnicity.
Where to check: Part 4: Equality of opportunity and a 'fair go'
40.Under the value of a 'fair go', what does everyone receive whatever their background?
- · The same income as everyone else
- ✓ An equal opportunity to succeed in life
- · A guaranteed government job
- · Priority if their family has lived in Australia longest
A fair go means nobody should be held back by class. Everyone gets an equal chance to succeed, and having the same legal rights is a key part of that fairness.
Where to check: Part 4: Equality of opportunity and a 'fair go'
41.What do Australians believe about disagreement?
- · Disagreements may be settled by force
- · People who disagree should stop speaking to each other
- ✓ People can disagree peacefully, and everyone has the right to be safe from violence and intimidation
- · Only the majority view may be expressed
Violence of any kind, verbal or physical, is illegal. Australians value peaceful disagreement and above all the right of everyone to feel safe.
Where to check: Part 4: Mutual respect and tolerance for others
42.A 20-year-old man wants a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl. What does Australian law say?
- · It is legal with her parents' consent
- · It is legal in some territories
- · It is legal if they plan to marry
- ✓ It is against the law in every state and territory
The age of consent is 16 or 17 depending on the state or territory, so a relationship with a 15-year-old is illegal everywhere in Australia.
Where to check: Part 4: Mutual respect and tolerance for others
43.Which of these is an example of mateship?
- ✓ Driving a friend to a medical appointment
- · Refusing to help a neighbour
- · Keeping to your own family only
- · Charging a friend for a favour
Mateship means helping others when they need it, for instance cooking for an elderly neighbour, giving a friend a lift to the doctor or visiting someone who is lonely.
Where to check: Part 4: Compassion for those in need
44.What does volunteering offer people in Australia, according to Our Common Bond?
- · A government wage
- ✓ A chance to share knowledge, learn new skills and feel they belong
- · An exemption from the citizenship test
- · An exemption from jury service
Volunteering continues Australia's tradition of community service. It helps people pass on what they know, learn new skills and become part of the community.
Where to check: Part 4: Compassion for those in need
45.Why is learning English important, according to Australian values?
- · It is required to practise a religion
- · It replaces the need to vote
- ✓ It helps people get an education and a job and integrate into the community
- · It is only needed to pass the citizenship test
English is the national language and helps unite society. Speaking it opens the way to education and work and is essential to economic participation and social cohesion.
Where to check: Part 4: English as the national language
46.What is cyber abuse?
- · Using a computer for work after hours
- · Disagreeing politely with someone online
- · Buying goods from an overseas website
- ✓ Using technology to threaten, harass or humiliate a person so as to hurt them
Cyber abuse is harmful behaviour carried out through technology. Many types are illegal and should be reported, both to the police and to the platform where they happened.
Where to check: Glossary of the testable section
47.Must Australian citizens obey some Australian laws even when they are overseas?
- ✓ Yes, for example any sexual activity with a child under 16 is illegal for Australians anywhere
- · No, Australian laws stop at the border
- · Only if they travel on an Australian passport for work
- · Only while on an Australian ship
Some Australian laws follow citizens abroad. Being involved in sexual activity with a child under 16 is a crime for Australians whether it happens in Australia or overseas.
Where to check: Part 4: Loyalty to Australia
48.Which of these would damage community relations in Australia?
- · Volunteering at a local festival
- ✓ Promoting distrust and fear of an ethnic community
- · Learning a neighbour's language
- · Joining a sporting club
Australians share an obligation not to undermine the country's interests and security. Stirring up fear of an ethnic community harms the relations between communities.
Where to check: Part 4: Loyalty to Australia
49.During the 2019-20 bushfire season, how did many multicultural communities respond?
- · They stayed out of the relief effort
- · They organised protests against firefighters
- ✓ They collected money, clothes and food for people affected
- · They left the affected regions for good
Australians come together in a crisis. During the 2019-20 bushfires, many multicultural communities raised money and gathered clothes, food and water for those affected and for firefighters.
Where to check: Part 4: Loyalty to Australia
50.Can an Australian citizen also hold the citizenship of another country?
- · No, never
- · Only if they were born in Australia
- ✓ Yes, if the laws of the other country allow it
Dual or multiple citizenship is possible where the other country's laws allow it. In Australia, a dual citizen must still obey every Australian law at all times.
Where to check: Part 4: Loyalty to Australia
51.Where can incidents of racism be reported, besides the police?
- · The Australian Electoral Commission
- · The Australian Taxation Office
- · The Reserve Bank of Australia
- ✓ The Australian Human Rights Commission
Racism is against the law in Australia. It can be reported to the police, and a complaint can also go to the Australian Human Rights Commission, an independent body.
Where to check: Glossary of the testable section
Part 4: Australian values
51
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
Our values: each heading and its example
Part 4 is written to be applied. Instead of abstract statements, nearly every value is attached to a case you could meet in real life, and those cases are the raw material of values questions. The table pairs each heading with the example the booklet itself uses.
| Heading | Example given in the booklet |
|---|---|
| Commitment to the Rule of Law | follow the law even if no one is watching; Australian law applies whatever your culture |
| Parliamentary democracy | laws come from elected parliaments; compulsory voting shows that taking part matters |
| Freedom of speech | newspapers, radio and television share the same freedom; peaceful protest is tolerated; false allegations are illegal |
| Freedom of association | join or leave any lawful group; protests must not injure people or damage property |
| Freedom of religion | religious laws have no legal status; polygamy and forced marriage are crimes |
| Equality of all people under the law | Buddhists treated like Christians; two men or two women may marry; either spouse may seek a divorce |
| Equality of opportunity and a fair go | jobs go to the best skills and experience; migrants have become leaders through hard work |
| Mutual respect and tolerance | age of consent 16 or 17; obey lawful police requests; racism has no place, online or at sport |
Our community: the half people forget
The second half of Part 4 is less about rights and more about conduct. It is short, but each paragraph contains a clear "should".
- Making a contribution: everyone is expected to take part in society and to try to support themselves and their family when able.
- Compassion for those in need: mateship means helping each other, such as bringing a meal to an elderly neighbour; volunteering builds skills and belonging.
- English as the national language: it unites society, helps with education and work, and applicants undertake to make reasonable efforts to learn it if it is not their first language.
- Helping to keep society safe: report a suspected serious crime to the authorities as soon as possible, report child abuse to the police, and know that many forms of cyber abuse are illegal.
- Loyalty to Australia: dual citizens follow all Australian laws in Australia; sharing official secrets on social media or stirring up fear of an ethnic community undermines Australia.
The laws Part 4 points to
Several values are illustrated by criminal law rather than by ideals, and those are the most straightforward questions to answer: polygamy and forced marriage can lead to prison; physical violence against a spouse or partner is a crime; verbal and physical abuse are both illegal; a relationship with a person under the age of consent is illegal in every state and territory; and sexual activity with a child under 16 is illegal for Australians even overseas. When a question asks whether a custom or a family agreement can make one of these acceptable, the answer is always no.
Reading Part 4 for the test
Read pages 33 to 39 of the testable section twice, aloud if possible, because the vocabulary (tolerance, intimidation, consent, undermine) is also what the questions use. After each heading, close the booklet and state its example in one sentence. Then practise with the set above. The values question page drills Part 4 on its own and explains the five-out-of-five rule; the rights and liberties page gives the background from Part 2 for the three freedoms.
Why this part decides so many results
With 20 questions and 15 needed, a candidate can miss 5 ordinary questions and still pass, but cannot miss a single values question. Part 4 fills 19% of the testable pages, yet 25% of every test comes from it. Giving it at least that share of your study time is simply arithmetic.