Australian Citizenship Test for Non-English Speakers: Free Study Guide in 13 Languages

More than half of all people who sit the Australian citizenship test were born overseas, and a large proportion speak English as a second language. The test itself is in English only, but how you prepare for it does not have to be. The official study material, Our Common Bond, is available in 13 languages, and every question on the real test comes from that booklet.

This guide explains how non-English-speaking background (NESB) applicants can get the most out of translated study materials, what to focus on in the weeks before the test, and where to find free practice resources in your language.

Why the Test Being in English Does Not Mean You Have to Study in English

The citizenship test is computer‑based and conducted entirely in English. You cannot use a dictionary or translation tool during the test, and no interpreter is provided. This is a fixed requirement regardless of your background.

However, there is an important distinction between studying and sitting the test. Reading Our Common Bond in your first language helps you absorb the content properly. Once you understand the material, you then need to practise recognising the same information presented in English test question format.

The strategy that works for most NESB applicants is this: read the study guide in your language first to understand the content, then practise questions in English to get familiar with how the test phrases things. Both steps matter.

The 13 Languages Available

The Our Common Bond study guide and free practice materials are available at passaustraliancitizenship.com.au in the following languages:

Each language page includes the full text of Our Common Bond divided into the four test sections: Australia & Its People, Democratic Beliefs, Government & the Law, and Australian Values.

How to Use Translated Study Materials Effectively

Reading the guide in translation is only useful if it is followed by English‑language practice. Here is a method that works well:

1. Read one section in your language. Start with Australian Values, as this is the highest‑stakes section of the test. Make sure you genuinely understand what each value means before moving on.
2. Read the same section in English. This builds familiarity with the English vocabulary the test uses. Pay attention to how Australian values are described in the official English text.
3. Practise questions on that section. Use practice questions in English to check your understanding. If you get a question wrong, go back to the translated text to fill the gap.
4. Repeat for the other three sections. Government & the Law is typically the hardest for NESB applicants because it covers federal, state, and local government structures that may be quite different from your home country.
5. Take full mock exams. In the final week before your test, practise under exam conditions: 20 questions, 45 minutes, English only.

Five Tips for NESB Applicants

1. Do Not Ignore the Values Section

The five Australian values questions are the part of the test most likely to cause failure. You must answer all five correctly, regardless of how well you do on the other 15 questions. NESB applicants sometimes struggle with values questions not because they misunderstand the values, but because the English phrasing of the wrong answer options sounds plausible. Drill values questions specifically until you can identify the correct answer quickly and confidently.

2. Learn the Key English Terms Before the Test

A small number of English terms come up repeatedly in test questions. Knowing these terms in English before you sit the test removes a significant source of confusion:

• Parliament — the body that makes federal laws, made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives
• Constitution — the document that sets out the rules for how Australia is governed
• Secular — not connected to any religion; Australia's government is secular
• Federation — the joining of Australia's six colonies as one nation on 1 January 1901
• Indigenous — relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Australia's First Nations

3. Know the Numbers

Dates and numbers come up often in test questions, and they are the same in any language. Key numbers to memorise:

• Australia federated on 1 January 1901
• The First Fleet arrived on 26 January 1788
• The 1967 referendum gave the federal government power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• Australia has 3 levels of government: federal, state/territory, and local
• Parliament has 2 houses: the Senate (76 senators) and the House of Representatives (151 members)

4. Allow Enough Time

The test is 45 minutes for 20 questions. For most applicants that is plenty of time. However, if you need a little longer to read English text carefully, 45 minutes can feel shorter than expected. Practising under timed conditions before the test helps you find a pace that works.

5. Prepare for the Computer Interface

The citizenship test is taken on a computer at a Department of Home Affairs testing location. If you are not used to reading and answering questions on a screen, it is worth getting comfortable with this format before the test. Online practice tests work exactly the same way.

Sample Questions

These questions are from the types that appear most often on the citizenship test. Try answering each one before reading the explanation.

Who Must Sit the Citizenship Test?

Most people aged between 18 and 59 who apply for Australian citizenship by conferral will need to sit the test. Some people are exempt, including:

• Applicants aged 60 or over
• Applicants aged under 18
• People with a permanent incapacity that prevents them from sitting the test

If you are unsure whether you need to sit the test, the Department of Home Affairs website has current eligibility information.

What Happens If You Do Not Pass?

If you do not pass the citizenship test, you can sit it again. There is no limit on the number of attempts. The Department of Home Affairs will contact you to schedule a new appointment. Most people who fail pass on their second or third attempt after additional study.

The most common reason for failing is not overall knowledge but getting a values question wrong. A single incorrect values answer fails the test regardless of your score on the other 19 questions. This is why dedicated values practice is so important.

Further Reading

• Australian Citizenship Test Values Questions (why this section causes the most failures and how to prepare)
• Australian Citizenship Test 2026: Complete Guide (full overview of the test format, eligibility, and preparation)
• Australian Citizenship Practice Test (free online practice questions with answers and explanations)