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

One section of the Australian citizenship test trips up more people than any other: the values questions. Unlike the rest of the test, you cannot afford to get even one of them 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 have to clear 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% on this section, no exceptions.

So you could answer 18 of the 20 questions correctly, well clear of the 75% pass mark, and still fail if one of your two wrong answers was a values question. This is the single most important thing to understand about the citizenship test, and it is why 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 that, the test treated all 20 questions equally: you simply needed 75% overall to pass.

The change hit straight away. Using per-sitting figures the Department of Home Affairs gave the Senate (data to November 2023):

• Before November 2020: per-sitting pass rates ran about 80–87% (2017–2019 government data).
• 2021, the first full year with mandatory values questions: 68.0%.
• 2022: 63.7%.
• 2023 (to 31 August): 65.4%.

Adding just 5 must-get-right questions pushed roughly one in three test-takers to fail a given sitting who might previously have passed. Most still pass eventually, since re-sitting is free: about 95.8% of applicants ultimately passed across calendar 2023. That gap tells you how much the values section matters. For the full data, see our citizenship test pass rate guide.

The Australian Values You Need to Know

The values tested on the citizenship exam come straight from the official study resource, Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond. Specifically the "Australian values" material in Part 4: Australia today, which sets out the values you agree to uphold in the Australian Values Statement. You can read it in the official Our Common Bond (testable section) PDF. The 10 values below expand those official statements into 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. That means respecting people regardless of their background, ethnicity, gender, or beliefs. No one should face degrading treatment, slavery, or forced labour. This value sits behind a lot 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. This freedom has limits, though: it does not extend to speech that incites violence or stirs up hatred against particular groups. For the test, the point to hold onto is that peaceful expression of opinion, political dissent included, 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 none at all. The government runs 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 take part by voting in elections, and voting is compulsory for Australian citizens aged 18 and over. The rule of law means 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 at home. Practices that treat women as inferior or deny them equal participation are not consistent with Australian values. This value comes up often, in questions about gender roles, workplace equality, or the equal right to make personal choices.

8. Equality of Opportunity: the 'Fair Go'

The idea of a 'fair go' is central to Australian identity. It means every person should have an equal chance to succeed, whatever their background. Success should rest 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: discussion, negotiation, and the legal system. Violence and intimidation are not acceptable ways to settle disputes. This holds in personal relationships, in communities, and in political disagreements.

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 takes tolerance of different viewpoints, mutual respect between people of different backgrounds, and compassion for those who are disadvantaged or in need of help. It does not mean you have to agree with everyone. It means you have to treat everyone with respect.

Sample Values Questions

Here are the kinds of values questions you will meet on the test. Study them carefully. Understanding why each answer is correct matters more 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, not that everyone ends up with the same result. Watch for answer options that describe equal income or identical outcomes. Those are usually wrong.

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 people 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 wrong. 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. Isolate them and drill them on their own. Our free Australian Values practice test lets you focus exclusively on this critical section, and the app has dedicated values category tests too.

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. Work out why each wrong answer is wrong. This matters because the test uses plausible-sounding distractors. Knowing why an option contradicts Australian values is just as useful 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 adds it to your focused practice queue. Use that to re-test those specific questions until you get them right every time. Do not move on until you can answer every values question correctly without hesitation.

A Week-by-Week Plan for the Values Section

You do not need months to master the values section. Most people get there in 2 to 3 weeks of consistent daily practice. Here is a simple plan:

Week 1: Read and Understand

• Read the values material in the official Our Common Bond PDF (Part 4); it is also free in our app
• Focus on understanding why each value matters, not just memorising what it says
• Take notes on anything that surprises you, particularly around secular government and equal opportunity
• Do one practice session of 20 questions to see where you stand

Week 2: Practise and Identify Weak Spots

• Use the Australian Values practice test to drill values questions specifically
• After each session, review every question you got wrong and read the explanation
• Pay special attention to the five traps above; most errors come from the same recurring patterns
• By the end of week 2, you should be getting 100% on values questions consistently

Week 3: Mock Exams Under Test Conditions

• Take full 20-question mock exams with the 45-minute timer to simulate real conditions
• Track whether you are passing both requirements: 75% overall and 5 out of 5 on values
• Use focused practice to revisit any questions you get wrong; the app tracks these automatically
• Aim for at least 3 consecutive mock exams where you score 80%+ with perfect values

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. This one is non-negotiable.
• General knowledge. Study all sections of the official guide: 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 to test yourself on the toughest non-values questions, see our breakdown of the hardest citizenship test questions.

Key Takeaways

• 5 values questions, all must be correct. One wrong answer fails you, whatever your overall score.
• Values questions were added in November 2020. Per-sitting pass rates dropped from around 80–87% to the mid-60s (65.4% in 2023).
• 10 core values are tested, drawn from Our Common Bond Part 4, from individual freedom and dignity through 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.