Australian Citizenship Test in Your Language: Free Study Guide for 13 Communities

One of the most common questions from people preparing for the Australian citizenship test is whether they can take it in their own language. The short answer: the test itself is only in English. But studying for it in your first language is not only allowed, it is one of the smartest things you can do.

When you understand a concept in your own language first, you can then learn the English words for it. That is very different from trying to learn both the content and the English at the same time. This guide covers what language support actually looks like for the citizenship test, and where to find free resources in 13 languages.

Does the Citizenship Test Allow Languages Other Than English?

The Department of Home Affairs conducts the citizenship test in English only. There is no option to take the test in another language at a testing centre. If reading English is difficult for you, you may be eligible for a citizenship interview instead of a test, depending on your circumstances. Your migration agent can advise on this.

What is available in other languages is the study material. The official booklet, Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, is available from the Department of Home Affairs in 40 community languages. Our guides and app cover 13 of them, with the full study guide, all 280 practice questions, and explanations translated. See our Our Common Bond study hub.

Why Studying in Your Language Actually Helps

Understanding why Australia has a federal system of government is easier to grasp when explained in the language you think in. The same goes for topics like the rule of law, the separation of powers, and what it means to live in a secular democracy. These are not simple concepts even in English.

The approach that works best for most people is this: read through the study guide in your own language to build understanding, then practise the questions in English to get used to the test format. That way, on test day, the English questions connect to ideas you already understand well.

Which Languages Does the Study Guide Support?

The free practice app supports 13 languages. Every question, answer option, and explanation is available in each language, not just translated on the fly. Here are the 13 languages and the direct links to the online study guides:

Each language page includes the full text of Our Common Bond translated into that language, with progress tracking so you know which sections you have covered. You can also switch languages inside the app at any time.

What Study Materials Are Available in Each Language?

Beyond the online study guide pages, the app provides the following in all 13 languages:

• All 280 practice questions with answer options and full explanations in your chosen language
• The complete Our Common Bond booklet in-app, with the ability to track which sections you have read
• Category-based practice so you can focus on one topic at a time: People, Beliefs, Government, or Values
• 16 timed mock exams in the format of the real test (20 questions, 45 minutes)
• Focused practice that targets only the questions you have previously got wrong

The language you select in the app applies to all content. Switch between languages any time from the settings screen.

Sample Citizenship Test Questions (English)

Practising in English is still important, since that is the language the test uses. Here are three sample questions that come up frequently, along with the reasoning behind each answer.

You can practise all 280 questions like these, in English or in your language, using the free practice test.

How to Prepare If English Is Not Your First Language

The best preparation for non-English speakers is a two-stage approach. Start with the study guide in your own language to build a solid grasp of the content. Then switch to English for all practice questions. By the time you sit the test, the English wording will be familiar because you already understand the ideas behind it.

A few things worth knowing:

• The test is computer-based. If you are not used to computers, practise on a screen before test day. The app copies the format closely.
• You cannot use a dictionary during the test. Reading the study guide in your own language helps you learn the key English terms before you sit down.
• The values questions are the hardest part for many people. Read more about how they work in our values questions guide.
• If you fail, the Department books you another appointment at no extra cost (your application may be refused after three test appointments). Read more about what happens if you fail.

Key English Terms to Learn Before the Test

A small number of English terms come up again and again in test questions. Learning them in English before you sit removes a major source of confusion for non-English-speaking applicants:

• 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

Who Has to Sit the Citizenship Test?

Most applicants for citizenship by conferral need to sit the test, but several groups are exempt. According to the Department of Home Affairs, you do not have to sit the test if you are:

• Under 18 at the time you apply
• Aged 60 or over at the time you apply
• Affected by a permanent or enduring physical or mental incapacity that means you cannot understand the nature of your application, or an impairment that prevents you from sitting the test

If you are unsure whether you need to sit the test, check the current rules on the official Department of Home Affairs website.