Our Common Bond: The Official Australian Citizenship Test Study Guide

Every question on the Australian citizenship test comes from a single source: Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond. If you study this booklet, you have studied everything that can appear on the test. Nothing on the test is outside it. That is what makes it the most important resource you have.

This guide explains what the booklet contains, how to get the most out of it, and where to find it free — including in 13 different languages, which matters a lot if English is not your first language.

What Is Our Common Bond?

Our Common Bond is the official handbook for the Australian citizenship test. The Department of Home Affairs publishes it and distributes it free of charge. When you apply for citizenship and are invited to sit the test, you are expected to study this booklet. Every single multiple‑choice question on the test draws directly from its content.

The booklet was introduced in 2007 when the citizenship test was reformed. Before then, there was no standard resource — applicants had to find their own way. The introduction of a single official guide was intended to make the process fair and transparent. It worked. If you know Our Common Bond, you know the test.

The full title is Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond. You will sometimes see it referred to simply as "the handbook" or "the citizenship booklet". All of these refer to the same document.

What Are the Four Sections of Our Common Bond?

The booklet is divided into four parts. The citizenship test draws questions from all four. Understanding the structure helps you plan your study and make sure you cover everything.

Part 1 — Australia and Its People

This section covers who Australians are and where they came from. It includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, European settlement, immigration waves, national symbols, and Australia's identity as one of the most multicultural nations in the world. Questions here often involve specific facts: dates, symbols, and historical events.

Part 2 — Australia's Democratic Beliefs, Rights and Liberties

This part explains the principles that underpin Australian society. Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, equality before the law, and the right to a fair trial are all covered here. It also explains that these rights come with responsibilities, and that no one — including the government — is above the law.

Part 3 — Government and the Law in Australia

The structure of government is the most confusing section for many applicants, particularly those from countries with very different systems. This part covers federal, state or territory, and local government; the role of the Governor‑General; how Parliament works; the Senate and the House of Representatives; and how laws are made. Allow extra time here.

Part 4 — Australian Values

This is the most important section for passing the test. There are 5 values questions on every citizenship test, and you must answer all 5 correctly. Getting even one wrong means you fail, regardless of your overall score. Part 4 covers the five core values: equality, respect for the law, peaceful dispute resolution, freedom of religion, and community participation. Read this section carefully and practise values questions separately.

How Do You Study Our Common Bond Effectively?

Reading the booklet once is not enough for most people. The test questions are often worded differently from the text in the booklet, and they include plausible‑sounding wrong answers designed to catch you out. The most effective approach combines reading with active testing.

Read Each Section, Then Test Yourself

Work through one section of the booklet at a time. After finishing a section, take a practice test on that material before moving on. This forces you to recall what you've read rather than just recognise it, which is how the actual test works. People who only read tend to overestimate how much they will remember under test conditions.

Track Your Progress

Use the free online study guide to track which sections you have covered. When you can see your progress, it is easier to identify gaps and stay motivated.

Spend Extra Time on Part 4 (Values)

Given the mandatory 100% requirement on values questions, most test preparation experts suggest spending at least a third of your study time on Part 4 alone, even though it is the shortest section. Practise values questions in a separate focused session and aim to get full marks consistently before your test date.

Use Mock Exams in the Final Week

In the week before your test, switch to timed mock exams that replicate the real format: 20 questions, 45 minutes, with values questions included. This builds the pattern recognition and time awareness you need to perform well under actual test conditions.

Is Our Common Bond Available in Languages Other Than English?

Yes. The citizenship test itself is conducted in English only, but the Department of Home Affairs recognises that many applicants are more comfortable reading in another language. Our Common Bond is available in translated versions, and the free study guide on this site provides the full booklet content in 13 languages.

Reading the content in your first language helps you build a deep understanding of the material before you practise the English‑language test questions. Many applicants find this approach significantly easier than trying to absorb unfamiliar concepts in a second language from the start.

Available Languages

• Our Common Bond in Hindi
• Our Common Bond in Chinese (Simplified)
• Our Common Bond in Arabic
• Our Common Bond in Filipino
• Our Common Bond in Vietnamese
• Our Common Bond in Urdu
• Our Common Bond in Sinhalese
• Our Common Bond in Portuguese
• Our Common Bond in Spanish
• Our Common Bond in French
• Our Common Bond in Malay
• Our Common Bond in Italian

All versions are free and available without creating an account. If your language is not listed, the English version is still the most thorough preparation resource available.

3 Practice Questions Based on Our Common Bond

These questions use the same format as the real citizenship test. Work through each one before reading the explanation.

Question 1 — Australia and Its People

Question 2 — Australian Values

Question 3 — Government and the Law

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Common Bond

Can I download Our Common Bond as a PDF?

Yes. The Department of Home Affairs provides a free PDF of the booklet on their official website. You can also read it section by section using the free online study guide on this site, which has the added benefit of tracking your progress as you go.

Is the 2026 version of Our Common Bond different from previous years?

The core content of Our Common Bond has been updated periodically since 2007 but the fundamental structure remains the same. The current version is the one you should study. If you find an older copy online, check the Department of Home Affairs website to confirm you have the current edition before relying on it.

Does the test ever ask questions that are not in Our Common Bond?

No. All 280 questions in the citizenship test question bank are drawn from Our Common Bond. The test selects 20 of these at random for each sitting. Nothing outside the booklet is tested.

How long does it take to read Our Common Bond?

The booklet is not long. Most people can read it comfortably in two to three hours. The goal is not just to finish reading it but to understand and retain the content well enough to answer questions under exam conditions. Allow several sessions spread over a week or two rather than trying to absorb it in a single sitting.

What if my English is not strong enough to understand the booklet?

This is a common concern, and it is why translated versions of the guide matter. Reading the content in your first language first helps you understand the concepts. Once you have that foundation, you can work through the English test questions with much greater confidence. The free study guide on this site is available in all 13 languages above.

Key Facts About the Australian Citizenship Test

• 20 questions, selected at random from a question bank of 280
• 45 minutes to complete the test
• Pass mark: 15 out of 20 (75%), plus all 5 values questions correct
• Taken on a computer at a Department of Home Affairs location
• All questions come from Our Common Bond, available free in 13 languages

For a full breakdown of what to expect, including test day logistics, see the complete Australian citizenship test guide.