A staff member of mine studied for months for her citizenship test, then nearly failed anyway because she treated all 20 questions equally. She didn’t realise five of them work completely differently to the rest, and getting even one of those wrong fails you outright, no matter how well you scored overall.
Quick answer: The Australian citizenship test has 20 multiple-choice questions with a 45-minute time limit. You need at least 15 correct (75%) to pass, but critically, 5 of the questions cover Australian values, and you must answer all 5 of those correctly, regardless of your overall score.
The Rule That Catches People Out
This is the single most important thing to understand before you sit the test: it isn’t purely a 75% cutoff. Five questions specifically test your understanding of Australian values (things like freedom of speech, equality, the rule of law, and mutual respect), and you must get all five correct. Score 19 out of 20 overall but miss one values question, and you fail. This changed the character of the test significantly when it was introduced, shifting focus from pure factual recall to genuine understanding of these principles.
Who Actually Needs to Sit It
Most applicants aged 18 to 59 need to pass the test as part of citizenship by conferral. You’re generally exempt if you’re under 18, 60 or over, or have a permanent or enduring physical or mental incapacity that affects your ability to understand the application. Exempt applicants can still choose to sit the test voluntarily, but the result won’t affect their application either way.
Eligibility Before You Even Get to the Test
- Permanent resident for at least 1 year at the time of applying
- Lived in Australia for 4 years total, with no more than 12 months absent during that period
- Functional English
- Meet character requirements
What’s Actually Tested
All questions are drawn directly from the official “Our Common Bond” booklet, published by the Department of Home Affairs. Broad topic areas include:
- Australia’s democratic beliefs, rights, and freedoms
- Government and the parliamentary system
- Australian history and national symbols
- The 5 mandatory values questions (freedom, equality, rule of law, respect, democracy)
How to Actually Prepare
- Read “Our Common Bond” at least once, cover to cover, before doing anything else
- Take an official practice test early to find your baseline, don’t study blind
- Focus extra revision time on the values section specifically, since a single mistake there fails you outright
- Keep retaking practice tests until you’re consistently scoring well above 85%, giving yourself a genuine buffer
The Practical Details
- Format: computer-based, multiple choice, conducted entirely in English
- Time limit: 45 minutes for 20 questions
- Cost: the citizenship application fee is $490 AUD for adults (the test itself has no separate fee once you’ve applied)
- Location: sat in person at a Department of Home Affairs office
After You Pass
Passing the test isn’t the finish line, it’s one requirement within your broader citizenship application. Processing timelines vary, but most conferral applications are decided within around 8 months, with total time (including the ceremony invitation afterward) sometimes extending to 14-17 months depending on demand.
Final Thoughts
If you remember one thing from this guide, make it this: don’t treat the values questions as “just five more questions.” They’re the ones with zero margin for error, and they’re exactly where confident, well-prepared applicants still occasionally trip up by rushing. Always confirm current test content and requirements directly through the Department of Home Affairs before your test date, since study materials can go out of date.
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*This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute migration advice. Confirm current citizenship test requirements and eligibility directly with the Department of Home Affairs.*