20 multiple-choice questions
Drawn from a larger question pool, so each test is slightly different. Read every question carefully.
6 Min Read · 20 Questions · 45 Minutes
Twenty questions. Forty-five minutes. Every values question right.
The conferral citizenship test looks small from a distance and bigger the closer you get. Thousands of applicants fail it each year, often not because they do not understand Australia, but because they misread the rules. For eligibility review, speak with our citizenship team.
Test format
Computer-based. Closed book. English only.
The test is conducted in English at a Department office. You take it on a computer with navigation between questions.
Five values questions (critical)
All five must be correct. Missing even one means a fail, regardless of the other 15.
75% overall pass rate
Need 15 out of 20 correct overall. The 5 values questions count toward this total but are also individually mandatory.
45 minutes total
Time is generous for most applicants. Flag difficult questions and return to them.
Topic areas
Four content domains.
All questions come from Our Common Bond. Reading the official resource is the strongest predictor of passing.
Australian values (critical)Respect for freedom and dignity, rule of law, equality before the law, equality of men and women, parliamentary democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of religion. All 5 questions must be correct.
HistoryKey events, periods, Federation (1901), post-war migration, major reforms and milestones.
Government and democracyHow Parliament works, state and federal government, the role of the Governor-General, voting, and the electoral system.
National symbolsThe flag, the Coat of Arms, the national anthem, national days, and cultural symbols.
Preparation strategy
Official resource. Practice tests. Simulated timing.
The Department's resource book is the only authoritative source. Third-party courses help but cannot replace it.
Official resource
Download Our Common Bond from the Department's website. Read it fully. All test questions are drawn from it.
Practice tests
Complete multiple practice tests. Identify weak areas. Focus preparation on those areas specifically.
On test day
Arrive early with required identification. Use the flag-and-review feature for difficult questions. Take your time with the values section.
With proper preparation using the official resource, most applicants pass.
Without preparation, the failure rate is significantly higher. Preparation matters more than general knowledge of Australia. Many test-takers who have lived in Australia for years still fail because they have not read Our Common Bond.
Common questions
The questions we hear most.
For test preparation or exemption review, book with Sourabh Aggarwal.
What happens if you fail?
You can retake the test. There is no hard limit on retakes in most cases, but repeated failures can trigger a refusal of the citizenship application itself.
Who is exempt?
Applicants 60 years of age or older. Applicants with permanent physical or mental incapacity that prevents demonstrating the required knowledge. Applicants aged under 18 applying with a responsible parent.
Can I bring notes to the test?
No. The test is closed book. You take it on a computer at a Department office.
What if I do not understand a question?
You can request clarification on language-related issues, but the questions themselves cannot be explained. This is why English language ability is tested.
Some information on this page has been sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and has been interpreted and approved by Principal Migration Agent Sourabh Aggarwal (MARN 1462159). Last reviewed: May 2026.