Our Common Bond summary: Parts 1–4 explained simply

A plain-English overview of the four testable parts of the official citizenship booklet. Use it alongside the booklet, not instead of it.

Part 1: Australia and its people

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are Australia’s first inhabitants and have the oldest continuous cultures in the world.
• The First Fleet of 11 ships arrived from Great Britain on 26 January 1788, beginning European settlement. Captain Arthur Phillip was in charge.
• Gold was discovered in 1851, bringing migrants from around the world.
• On 1 January 1901 the six colonies united to form the Commonwealth of Australia.
• Australia has six states (NSW, Victoria, Queensland, WA, SA and Tasmania) and two mainland territories (the ACT and the Northern Territory). Canberra is the national capital.
• National symbols include three official flags, the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, the golden wattle, the national colours green and gold, the opal and the anthem Advance Australia Fair.
• Australia Day is 26 January. Anzac Day, 25 April, remembers Australians who served and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping.

Part 2: Democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

• Australia is a parliamentary democracy: citizens elect representatives who answer to the people.
• Under the Rule of Law, everyone must obey the law and no one is above it.
• Key freedoms are speech and expression, association, and religion. The government is secular and there’s no national religion.
• Everyone is equal before the law, including men and women, and everyone deserves a fair go.
• Citizens’ responsibilities: obey the law, vote, defend Australia should the need arise, and serve on a jury if called.
• Privileges include voting, an Australian passport, seeking election to parliament and consular help overseas.

Part 3: Government and the law

• The Australian Constitution sets out how the country is governed. It can only be changed by a referendum that wins a double majority.
• Power is split between parliament (makes laws), the executive (puts laws into practice) and the courts (apply the law).
• Australia is a constitutional monarchy. The King is Head of State, represented by the Governor-General. The Prime Minister leads the government.
• Parliament has two Houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Each state elects 12 senators and each mainland territory elects two.
• There are three levels of government: Australian, state or territory, and local, each with different responsibilities.
• Courts are independent, and the High Court is the highest court.

Part 4: Australian values

• Respect for the freedom and dignity of every person, and for the Rule of Law.
• Equality, a fair go, mateship and compassion for those in need.
• Peaceful change through discussion and democracy, never violence.
• English is the national language, and learning it helps people take part.
• Forced marriage, polygamy, domestic violence and racism are not accepted, whatever someone’s culture or religion.

For a deeper look at this part, read our guide to Australian values questions.