This guide summarises current Department of Home Affairs information. CitizenshipExam is an independent practice website and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Australian Government.
What is the Australian citizenship test?
The Australian citizenship test is part of the citizenship-by-conferral process for most applicants who are required to sit it. It is a computer-based multiple-choice test conducted in English.
The Department of Home Affairs says the test has 20 multiple-choice questions and gives you 45 minutes to complete them. To pass, you need at least 15 correct answers out of 20 overall and you must answer all 5 Australian Values questions correctly.
For the official rules, see the Department of Home Affairs citizenship test page.
What score do you need to pass?
There are two pass conditions, and both matter:
- Score at least 15/20 overall.
- Score 5/5 on the Australian Values questions.
This means a person could answer 18 questions correctly overall and still fail if one of the five Australian Values questions is wrong.
If Australian Values are your weak area, use our Australian Values citizenship test guide and then practise under timed conditions.
What should you study?
The official study resource is Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond. Home Affairs states that the citizenship test questions are based on this resource.
The testable material covers four main areas:
- Australia and its people
- Australia’s democratic beliefs, rights and liberties
- Government and the law in Australia
- Australian values based on freedom, respect and equality
You can access the official resource from the Our Common Bond page.
For a simpler breakdown, read our Our Common Bond study guide.
How to study the four testable areas
1. Australia and its people
Focus on the people, history, states and territories, national symbols, traditions and important parts of Australia’s national story. Our Australia and its people study guide can help you organise this section.
2. Democratic beliefs, rights and liberties
Understand the ideas behind parliamentary democracy, freedom, equality, rights, responsibilities and respect for others. Try to understand the principle behind each concept instead of memorising isolated words.
3. Government and the law
Learn how voting, the Constitution, Parliament, the courts and the different levels of government fit together. Use our Government and law citizenship test guide for targeted revision.
4. Australian Values
This section deserves extra attention because all five values questions must be correct. Review freedom, respect, equality, the Rule of Law, peaceful change, mutual respect and related responsibilities.
Official resources worth using
Home Affairs recommends preparing with official resources. Useful links include:
- Prepare for the citizenship test — Department of Home Affairs
- Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond
- Our Common Bond podcast
Home Affairs also provides an official sample practice test and explains that sample questions are different from the questions you will receive on the day.
Try a realistic 45-minute practice session
Use our free 20-question simulator to practise the timing and the two pass conditions: 15/20 overall and 5/5 Australian Values.
Start Free Practice Test →A practical 7-day preparation plan
- Day 1: Read Australia and its people, then complete a short review.
- Day 2: Study democratic beliefs, rights and liberties.
- Day 3: Study government and the law.
- Day 4: Concentrate on Australian Values.
- Day 5: Take a full timed practice test and review every incorrect answer.
- Day 6: Revisit weak topics and take another timed test.
- Day 7: Do one final timed simulation and focus on accuracy rather than rushing.
If you want repeated simulations and a longer study window, see the CitizenshipExam study passes.
Common preparation mistakes
- Ignoring Australian Values: the values section has its own 5/5 requirement.
- Only memorising practice answers: understand the source material so you can handle differently worded questions.
- Never practising with a timer: use at least a few full 45-minute sessions before your appointment.
- Not reviewing mistakes: every wrong answer should point you back to the relevant study topic.
- Using unofficial material as your only source: use Our Common Bond as the authoritative study resource.
How CitizenshipExam should fit into your preparation
Use CitizenshipExam as a practice layer around the official material. Start with the free timed practice test. When you get something wrong, review the relevant study topic, then test yourself again.
Our questions are original practice questions based on the official study material. They are not actual, leaked or guaranteed exam questions.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are in the Australian citizenship test?
The test has 20 multiple-choice questions.
How long do you get for the Australian citizenship test?
You have 45 minutes to complete the test.
What score do you need to pass?
You need at least 15 correct answers out of 20 overall, and you must answer all 5 Australian Values questions correctly.
What should I study for the test?
The official study resource is Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond. The testable material covers Australia and its people, democratic beliefs, rights and liberties, government and the law, and Australian values.
Are CitizenshipExam questions the same questions used in the real test?
No. CitizenshipExam provides original practice questions based on the official study material. The Department of Home Affairs states that sample practice questions are not the same as the questions used on the day of the test.
Final checklist
- Read the testable section of Our Common Bond.
- Know that the test has 20 questions and 45 minutes.
- Aim comfortably above 15/20 in practice.
- Do not accept anything below 5/5 on Australian Values during your final preparation.
- Complete several timed practice sessions.
- Review every mistake against the study material.
Take the free 20-question timed citizenship practice test, or read the Australian Values guide first if that is your weakest topic.
Last reviewed against Department of Home Affairs information on 14 September 2026.