Australian Citizenship Test Values Questions — The Section You Must Get 100%

There is one section of the Australian citizenship test that trips up more people than any other: the values questions. Unlike every other part of the test, you cannot afford to get even one values question wrong. Miss a single one, and you fail — even if you answer all 15 other questions perfectly.

Why Values Questions Are Different

The Australian citizenship test has 20 multiple‑choice questions. To pass, you need to meet two separate requirements:

1. Score at least 75% overall — that means 15 out of 20 questions correct.
2. Answer all 5 values questions correctly — 100% accuracy on this section, no exceptions.

This means you could score 18 out of 20 (90%) and still fail if one of the questions you got wrong was a values question. This is the single most important thing to understand about the citizenship test, and it is the reason the values section deserves more study time than any other topic.

When Were Values Questions Added?

The mandatory values component was introduced in November 2020. Before this change, the citizenship test treated all 20 questions equally — you simply needed 75% overall to pass.

The impact of this change was immediate and dramatic:

• Before November 2020: Pass rates were approximately 80% (based on 2017‑2019 government data).
• After November 2020: Pass rates dropped to around 65‑68%.
• In 2024: Over 183,000 tests were conducted with approximately 122,000 passing — a rate of about 67%.

The addition of just 5 mandatory‑correct questions caused roughly one in three test‑takers to fail who might previously have passed. This tells you exactly how much the values section matters.

The Australian Values You Need to Know

The values tested on the citizenship exam come from the official study resource, Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond. Here is every value you are expected to know, with an explanation of what each one means in practice:

1. Respect for the Freedom and Dignity of the Individual

Every person in Australia has the right to be treated with dignity. This means respecting people regardless of their background, ethnicity, gender, or beliefs. No one should be subjected to degrading treatment, slavery, or forced labour. This value underpins many of Australia's laws, including anti‑discrimination legislation.

2. Freedom of Speech

Australians are free to express their opinions openly, including the right to criticise the government, public figures, and policies. However, this freedom has limits — it does not extend to speech that incites violence or promotes hatred against specific groups. The key point for the test is that peaceful expression of opinion, including political dissent, is protected and valued.

3. Freedom of Religion and Secular Government

Australia has no official state religion. People are free to follow any religion or no religion at all. The government operates on a secular basis, meaning religious institutions do not control government decisions, and the government does not interfere with religious practice. This is one of the most commonly tested values — questions often ask whether Australia's government is based on a particular religion (the answer is no).

4. Freedom of Association

Australians are free to join or not join any lawful organisation, including political parties, trade unions, religious groups, and social clubs. No one can be forced to belong to a particular group, and no one can be punished for their associations. This value is closely linked to the democratic right to organise and advocate collectively.

5. Support for Parliamentary Democracy and the Rule of Law

Australia is governed by elected representatives through Parliament. Citizens participate in democracy by voting in elections — in fact, voting is compulsory for Australian citizens aged 18 and over. The rule of law means that everyone, including the government, is subject to and accountable under the law. No one is above the law.

6. Equality Under the Law

All Australians are equal before the law, regardless of their background, wealth, gender, religion, or position in society. This means the same laws apply to everyone, and everyone has the right to a fair trial and legal representation.

7. Equality of Men and Women

Men and women have equal rights in Australia. This applies in the workplace, in education, in the legal system, and in the home. Practices that treat women as inferior or deny them equal participation are not consistent with Australian values. This is a frequently tested value — questions may ask about gender roles, workplace equality, or the equal right to make personal choices.

8. Equality of Opportunity — the 'Fair Go'

The concept of a 'fair go' is central to Australian identity. It means that every person should have an equal opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background. Success should be based on talent, hard work, and merit — not on who you know, where you come from, or what group you belong to.

9. Peacefulness

Australians value resolving disagreements through lawful and peaceful means — through discussion, negotiation, and the legal system. Violence and intimidation are not acceptable ways to settle disputes. This value applies in personal relationships, communities, and political disagreements alike.

10. Tolerance, Mutual Respect, and Compassion for Those in Need

Australia is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. Living together peacefully requires tolerance of different viewpoints, mutual respect between people of different backgrounds, and compassion for those who are disadvantaged or in need of help. This does not mean you must agree with everyone — it means you must treat everyone with respect.

Sample Values Questions

Here are examples of the types of values questions you will encounter on the test. Study them carefully — understanding why each answer is correct is more important than memorising the answers themselves.

Common Traps and Mistakes

Values questions are designed to test your understanding, not just your memory. Here are the traps that catch the most people:

Trap 1: Confusing 'Equal Opportunity' with 'Equal Outcome'

Australia values equality of opportunity, not equality of outcome. A 'fair go' means everyone gets the same chance to succeed, but it does not mean everyone ends up with the same result. Watch for answer options that describe equal income or identical outcomes — these are usually incorrect.

Trap 2: Assuming Australia Has a State Religion

This is one of the most common mistakes. Australia has no official state religion. The government is secular. Questions that suggest Australian laws are based on a specific religion, or that one religion has special status, are testing whether you understand this. The correct answer will always reflect religious freedom and secular government.

Trap 3: Thinking Freedom of Speech Is Unlimited

Australia values freedom of speech, but it is not absolute. Speech that incites violence or promotes hatred is not protected. If you see an answer option that says Australians can say anything at all without limit, that is likely incorrect. The correct answer will usually reference peaceful expression of opinion.

Trap 4: Overlooking the 'Peacefulness' Value

Some test‑takers forget that peacefulness is an explicit Australian value. Any answer option that suggests violence, force, or intimidation as a way to resolve disagreements is wrong. Disagreements in Australia must be settled through discussion, negotiation, and the legal system.

Trap 5: Misunderstanding Gender Equality

Questions about the equality of men and women are common. Any answer that suggests men should have more authority, that women should defer to men in decision‑making, or that gender roles are fixed is incorrect. Australia values full equality between men and women in all areas of life.

How to Study Values Questions Effectively

Because values questions have such high stakes, they deserve a focused study approach that goes beyond general test preparation:

Step 1: Read the Values Section of the Official Guide

Start with the values section of Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond. You can read the official guide free in the app with section‑by‑section progress tracking. Read the values section at least twice.

Step 2: Practise Values Questions as a Separate Category

Do not just take general practice tests and hope values questions come up. Use the category practice feature to isolate values questions and drill them specifically. The app has dedicated values category tests that let you focus exclusively on this critical section.

Step 3: Understand, Do Not Memorise

Values questions are not about recalling specific facts like dates or names. They test whether you genuinely understand Australia's core principles. For each value, ask yourself: why is this important to Australian society? How does it affect everyday life? If you understand the reasoning, you can answer any question on the topic, no matter how it is worded.

Step 4: Learn the Wrong Answers Too

When you review practice questions, do not just note the correct answer — understand why each wrong answer is wrong. This is crucial because the test uses plausible‑sounding distractors. Knowing why an option contradicts Australian values is just as important as knowing the correct answer.

Step 5: Take Mock Exams and Track Your Values Score

Once you are confident with isolated values practice, take full timed mock exams that include values questions mixed in with general questions. The app tracks your performance across all test types, so you can see whether you are consistently getting 100% on the values component.

Step 6: Use Focused Practice to Eliminate Weak Spots

If you get any values question wrong in practice, the app automatically adds it to your focused practice queue. Use this feature to re‑test those specific questions until you master them. Do not move on until you can answer every values question correctly without hesitation.

Values Questions in Context: The Full Test

While values questions are the most critical section, remember they are only 5 of the 20 questions. You still need to answer at least 10 of the remaining 15 general questions correctly. A strong overall preparation strategy includes:

• Values mastery — aim for 100% accuracy every time (non‑negotiable).
• General knowledge — study all sections of the official guide, including Australia's people, history, government structure, and democratic principles.
• Practice variety — use quick practice, category tests, and mock exams to prepare for different question styles and topics.
• Consistent scoring — do not book your test until you are scoring 85%+ on practice tests with 100% on values questions.

For a complete preparation strategy, read our guide on how to pass the citizenship test first time. And if you want to test yourself with the most challenging non‑values questions, see our breakdown of the hardest citizenship test questions.

Key Takeaways

• 5 values questions, all must be correct — one wrong answer means automatic failure, regardless of your overall score.
• Values questions were added in November 2020 — they caused pass rates to drop from ~80% to ~67%.
• 10 core values are tested — from individual freedom and dignity to tolerance and compassion.
• Understanding beats memorisation — know why each value matters, not just what it is.
• Practise values separately — use category tests to drill this section until you get 100% every time.
• Learn the traps — secular government, peaceful resolution, and gender equality are the most commonly misunderstood areas.