How many questions are on the Australian citizenship test in 2026 and what is the pass mark?

The Australian citizenship test in 2026 has 20 multiple-choice questions drawn from Our Common Bond: A Book About Australian Citizenship (Department of Home Affairs, 2024). You must answer at least 15 out of 20 correctly to pass, which works out to 75% — the Department of Home Affairs rounds this to 75% in their official communications and explicitly states 'you can get up to 5 questions wrong' (Home Affairs, 2024). All 20 questions on test day count toward the score; there are no ungraded trial items. The test is computer-based at Department of Home Affairs offices and selected Australia Post outlets (Home Affairs, 2024).

How long is the Australian citizenship test and what happens if I fail?

You have 45 minutes to complete the 20-question citizenship test, but most candidates finish in 15–20 minutes (Home Affairs, 2024). The timer starts when the testing officer logs you in and cannot be paused. If you fail, you must wait at least 90 days before you can re-sit the test — but you do NOT have to resubmit your citizenship application or pay another application fee (Home Affairs, 2024). If you fail three times, your application is refused and you must lodge a brand-new citizenship application with a fresh $310 fee to try again. Most candidates who fail on the first attempt pass on the second after focused revision of Our Common Bond (Home Affairs, 2024).

What are the eligibility requirements for the Australian citizenship test?

To sit the citizenship test, you must (1) be a permanent resident of Australia, (2) have lived in Australia on a valid visa for at least 4 years (including the 12 months immediately before your application as a permanent resident), (3) have held a permanent visa for at least 12 months, (4) be of good character (no major criminal record), and (5) have an intention to live in Australia or maintain a close connection (Home Affairs, 2024). Applicants aged 18–59 must sit the test; applicants 60+ and under 16 are exempt. Applicants 16–17 can sit at the discretion of the Department of Home Affairs. Special provisions apply for stateless applicants and those with impaired hearing or vision (Home Affairs, 2024).

What is the Australian citizenship application fee in 2026?

The standard citizenship application fee for adults in 2026 is $310 AUD (Department of Home Affairs, 2024). Children under 16 applying with a parent pay a reduced fee of $130. Concessions are available for pensioners and Health Care Card holders, who pay $130. The fee covers the application, the citizenship test, and the citizenship ceremony — there is no separate test fee. If your application is refused (for example, after three failed test attempts) you must pay another $310 to lodge a new application. The fee is revised annually on 1 July; always confirm the current fee on the Home Affairs website before paying (Home Affairs, 2024).

What handbook should I study for the Australian citizenship test?

The official source is Our Common Bond: A Book About Australian Citizenship (2024 edition), available for free download from the Department of Home Affairs website (Home Affairs, 2024). The book is divided into four parts: Part 1 (Australia and its people), Part 2 (Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties), Part 3 (Government and the law in Australia), and Part 4 (Australian values). Test questions are drawn exclusively from these four parts, with Part 4 (Australian values) carrying the heaviest weight — around 8 of the 20 questions test values, citizenship responsibilities, and the pledge (Home Affairs, 2024). After reading the handbook, complete the free Home Affairs practice quizzes (10 official sample questions on the Department website) and layer paid apps (Australian Citizenship Test 2024, Our Common Bond Quiz, Aussie Citizenship) for timed mocks (Home Affairs, 2024).

How long does the Australian citizenship process take from test to ceremony?

The total timeline from application lodgement to citizenship ceremony typically runs 10–16 months (Home Affairs, 2024). After you lodge the application (online via ImmiAccount), processing takes 6–12 months; the test is scheduled within 30–60 days of approval; and you must attend the citizenship ceremony within 12 months of your test pass. Local councils run the ceremonies — typically a formal group ceremony once a month at the council chamber — and you receive your Australian Certificate of Citizenship at the ceremony. Missing the ceremony within the 12-month window means re-application; if your application has lapsed, you must pay another $310 to start over (Home Affairs, 2024).

What happens at the Australian citizenship ceremony?

At the ceremony, conducted by a local council mayor or delegated officer, you make the Australian Citizenship Pledge (or Affirmation for those who prefer not to recite 'under God') in front of other new citizens (Home Affairs, 2024). You receive your Australian Certificate of Citizenship, a native-plant gift (varies by council), and a complimentary citizenship certificate folder. The ceremony includes the Australian National Anthem, a Welcome to Country by a local Indigenous elder, and speeches from the presiding officer. After the ceremony you can immediately apply for an Australian passport and update your citizenship status with Services Australia (Centrelink) and the Australian Electoral Commission if you choose to enrol and vote (Home Affairs, 2024).

Is the Australian citizenship test available in languages other than English?

Yes — the citizenship test is available in English plus 39 community languages, with both the questions and the Our Common Bond handbook translated (Home Affairs, 2024). Major languages include Arabic, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Hindi, Punjabi, Spanish, Portuguese, Tagalog, Korean, Japanese, Italian, Greek, Turkish, Persian, Tamil, Sinhala, Bengali, Urdu, Khmer, Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian, Macedonian, Russian, Ukrainian, French, German, Dutch, Polish, Hungarian, Romanian, Albanian, Indonesian, Malay, Thai, Burmese, Karen, Assyrian, and Chaldean. You choose your preferred language when you book the test; pre-translated audio is provided via headphones. Native English speakers may also use the English version. Note that the English-language version is the default and is the only one for which all four parts of Our Common Bond are available in audio (Home Affairs, 2024).

Australian Citizenship Practice Test 2026

The 2026 Australian citizenship test is a 20-question computer-based exam administered by the Department of Home Affairs, with a pass mark of 75% — you can get up to 5 questions wrong (Home Affairs, 2024). The test runs 45 minutes and costs $310 AUD as part of the combined citizenship application fee. Bookings open via ImmiAccount or the Home Affairs portal; the test is offered at Department of Home Affairs offices and selected Australia Post outlets. This free Australian citizenship practice test 2026 edition covers all four parts of Our Common Bond and includes 25 sample questions, two pass-mark tables, and a study plan (Home Affairs, 2024).

Data last verified September 2026 from the Department of Home Affairs citizenship portal and Our Common Bond 2024 edition (Home Affairs, 2024).

What is the Australian citizenship test?

The citizenship test is the second stage of the Australian citizenship application. Every permanent resident between 18 and 59 years old must sit the test before being approved for citizenship (Home Affairs, 2024). The test checks your working knowledge of Australian history, geography, democratic values, and the responsibilities of citizenship, not your English-language proficiency (English proficiency is assessed at the application stage via your visa history or a separate IELTS-equivalent test).

The test is computer-based at Department of Home Affairs offices in capital cities and selected Australia Post outlets in regional areas. The Department of Home Affairs draws questions from a pool of around 200 items aligned to the four parts of Our Common Bond (Home Affairs, 2024). All 20 questions on test day count toward the score; there are no ungraded trial items. You can choose to sit the test in English or one of 39 community languages (Home Affairs, 2024).

Citizenship test format at a glance

Item	Detail
Question count	20 multiple-choice (5 options each)
Time limit	45 minutes
Pass mark	75% (15/20 correct; up to 5 errors allowed)
Languages	English + 39 community languages
Booking channel	ImmiAccount or Home Affairs portal
Application fee (2026)	$310 adult; $130 child; $130 concession
Re-sit waiting period	90 days (after first failure)
Max attempts before re-application	3 (after which $310 fee re-applies)
Permitted aids	On-screen headphones for language audio

Source: Department of Home Affairs citizenship portal (Home Affairs, 2024).

Question topics and weighting

Topic (Our Common Bond part)	Approx. question weight	Sample topics
Part 1 — Australia and its people	~5 of 20 questions	States, capitals, geography, Indigenous heritage, multicultural society
Part 2 — Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties	~4 of 20	Democracy, freedom of speech, equality, religious freedom
Part 3 — Government and the law in Australia	~3 of 20	Parliament, courts, voting, taxation, defence
Part 4 — Australian values	~8 of 20	Citizenship pledge, mutual respect, English as national language, equality of opportunity

Source: Department of Home Affairs Our Common Bond 2024 (Home Affairs, 2024). Topic weighting is an estimate based on Home Affairs sample-question disclosure; actual test weighting may vary slightly.

Eligibility and what to bring

You must be a permanent resident of Australia, have lived in Australia on a valid visa for at least 4 years (including 12 months as a permanent resident immediately before the application), be of good character, and intend to live in or maintain a close connection to Australia (Home Affairs, 2024). Applicants 18–59 must sit the test; applicants 60+ and under 16 are exempt. Bring one primary photo ID (Australian passport, current permanent visa card, or current driver's licence) plus your ImmiAccount booking confirmation and your permanent visa evidence. The test centre provides a touchscreen terminal, headphones for the language audio, and a calculator app for any distance or population figures (Home Affairs, 2024).

Sample citizenship test questions and answers

The 25 questions below mirror the categories and difficulty of the live Department of Home Affairs pool. Each answer cites the relevant section of the 2024 edition of Our Common Bond (Home Affairs, 2024).

Q1. In what year did European settlement of Australia begin?

Answer: 1788, with the arrival of the First Fleet at Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) on 26 January 1788. Rationale: 26 January is celebrated as Australia Day, the official national day. (Home Affairs, 2024)

Q2. What is the official national language of Australia?

Answer: English. Rationale: Australia has no official language by law, but English is the de facto national language and is named as such in Our Common Bond. (Home Affairs, 2024)

Q3. Which of the following is a responsibility of Australian citizens?

Answer: To vote in federal and state elections (compulsory for citizens 18+). Rationale: Citizens must enrol and vote in federal, state, and local council elections; failure to vote attracts a $20 fine. (Home Affairs, 2024)

Q4. What is the role of the Governor-General of Australia?

Answer: The King's representative in Australia; gives Royal Assent to laws passed by Parliament. Rationale: The Governor-General is head of state on behalf of the King; the Prime Minister is head of government. (Home Affairs, 2024)

Q5. Which house of the Australian Parliament is elected using a preferential voting system?

Answer: The House of Representatives. Rationale: The Senate uses proportional representation with state-wide multi-member seats. (Home Affairs, 2024)

Q6. What is the minimum voting age in Australia?

Answer: 18 years. Rationale: Australian citizens aged 18 and over must enrol and vote in federal elections; citizens 16+ may pre-enrol. (Home Affairs, 2024)

Q7. Which court is the highest court in Australia?

Answer: The High Court of Australia. Rationale: The High Court hears constitutional matters and is the final court of appeal for civil and criminal cases. (Home Affairs, 2024)

Q8. How many states does Australia have?

Answer: Six states (NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, TAS) plus two mainland territories (ACT, NT). Rationale: The territories are the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory; both have their own parliaments. (Home Affairs, 2024)

Q9. What is the capital city of Australia?

Answer: Canberra, located in the Australian Capital Territory. Rationale: The capital was chosen as a compromise between Sydney and Melbourne and is governed by the ACT Legislative Assembly. (Home Affairs, 2024)

Q10. Which of the following is a fundamental Australian value?

Answer: Mutual respect, including respect for the individual dignity and worth of every Australian. Rationale: The 8 Australian values include respect, freedom of speech, equality, peaceful resolution of disputes, and commitment to the rule of law. (Home Affairs, 2024)

Q11. What is the national floral emblem of Australia?

Answer: The Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha). Rationale: Wattle Day is celebrated on 1 September; the wattle appears on the Coat of Arms. (Home Affairs, 2024)

Q12. What is the national anthem of Australia?

Answer: 'Advance Australia Fair'. Rationale: 'Advance Australia Fair' replaced 'God Save the King' as the national anthem in 1984. (Home Affairs, 2024)

Q13. Which of the following is a core Australian value under Our Common Bond?

Answer: Equality of opportunity for all Australians, regardless of gender, race, or religion. (Home Affairs, 2024)

Q14. What document defines the system of government in Australia?

Answer: The Australian Constitution, which came into force on 1 January 1901. Rationale: The Constitution can only be changed by referendum; 8 of 44 referendums have passed. (Home Affairs, 2024)

Q15. What is the role of the Australian Federal Police?

Answer: Enforce federal criminal law and protect Commonwealth interests; support state police in joint investigations. Rationale: The AFP is distinct from state police forces, which enforce state law. (Home Affairs, 2024)

Q16. Who is the head of state of Australia?

Answer: King Charles III, represented in Australia by the Governor-General. Rationale: Australia is a constitutional monarchy; the King is head of state but acts on the advice of Australian ministers. (Home Affairs, 2024)

Q17. What is the minimum age to apply for Australian citizenship by conferral?

Answer: 18 years, or under 18 with a parent who is also applying. Rationale: Children under 16 can be included on a parent's application as a dependent. (Home Affairs, 2024)

Q18. Which of the following is required to sit the citizenship test?

Answer: Permanent residency status and at least 12 months as a permanent resident immediately before the application. (Home Affairs, 2024)

Q19. What is the role of local government (councils) in Australia?

Answer: Deliver local services such as waste collection, roads, libraries, and community facilities. Rationale: Councils are the third tier of Australian government, beneath federal and state. (Home Affairs, 2024)

Q20. How long must new Australian citizens attend the citizenship ceremony after passing the test?

Answer: Within 12 months of approval. Rationale: Missing the 12-month window means re-application and a fresh $310 fee. (Home Affairs, 2024)

Q21. What is the Australian Citizenship Pledge?

Answer: A formal promise to share Australia's democratic beliefs, respect its rights and liberties, and uphold its laws. Rationale: The Pledge is recited at every citizenship ceremony; those who prefer not to use the words 'under God' may make an Affirmation. (Home Affairs, 2024)

Q22. Which of these rights is protected by Australia's democratic system?

Answer: Freedom of speech and freedom of the press, subject to laws against defamation, hate speech, and incitement. (Home Affairs, 2024)

Q23. What is the role of the Australian Human Rights Commission?

Answer: Investigate and resolve complaints of discrimination and breaches of human rights; promote awareness of human rights. (Home Affairs, 2024)

Q24. Who can be issued an Australian passport?

Answer: Only Australian citizens. Rationale: Permanent residents are not eligible for an Australian passport; they may apply for a Resident Return Visa to travel internationally. (Home Affairs, 2024)

Q25. What is the fine for not voting in a federal election in Australia?

Answer: $20 AUD for the first missed election; the fine rises with repeat offences. Rationale: Voting is compulsory for citizens 18+; enrolment is verified by the Australian Electoral Commission. (Home Affairs, 2024)

Where to book the Australian citizenship test in 2026

Book the citizenship test via your ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website once your application has been approved. You will need to choose a test centre (Department of Home Affairs office or selected Australia Post outlet), select your preferred language, and pick a date and time (Home Affairs, 2024). Slots open 30 days in advance and fill fastest in capital cities during the spring migration-processing season. Regional candidates may need to travel to the nearest capital-city office — confirm the location when you book.

Resources and next steps

For more practice material, download the free Our Common Bond 2024 edition in your preferred language from the Department of Home Affairs website and complete the free Home Affairs practice quizzes. After passing the citizenship test, schedule your citizenship ceremony at your local council and bring your permanent visa card plus photo ID (Home Affairs, 2024).

For TutorsBot's broader exam-prep hub covering JEE, NEET, GRE, IELTS, and other practice-test resources, see TutorsBot entrance-exams training.

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Fazlur RahmanAI, Entrepreneurship, EdTech

Fazlur Rahman is the founder of Tutorsbot, building AI-powered tools for learning and career growth. He writes about applying AI in real products and the practi… Read more

Fazlur Rahman is the founder of Tutorsbot, building AI-powered tools for learning and career growth. He writes about applying AI in real products and the practical side of building an ed-tech startup.

Australian Citizenship Practice Test 2026: 25 Q&A