What is the Australian citizenship test?
The Australian citizenship test is one of the requirements for becoming an Australian citizen.
The test will assess your knowledge of Australia (its people, traditions, geography, symbols, beliefs and values, government and laws), as well as the responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship.
The citizenship test is in English and is computer-based. You will have to answer 20 questions within 45 minutes.
It is a multiple-choice test, which means each question will have 3 possible answers (unless it is a True/False questions with only two possible answers). The passing mark is 75% You will have to answer at least 15 questions correctly, so you are allowed up to 5 incorrect questions. As mentioned in the update below, you must answer all 5 questions on Australian values correctly.
UPDATE: The Australian Citizenship Test has been recently revised: citizenship applicants who sit the test on or after 15 November 2020 will take the new updated Australian citizenship test.
Changes to the citizenship test include
✔ revised questions
✔ new questions on Australian values
✔ a new requirement applicable to all applicants that all 5 questions on Australian values must be answered correctly, with an overall mark of at least 75 per cent to pass the test
The test is based on the new updated test resource booklet Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond. You will need to know and understand the information in the testable section to answer the questions in the citizenship test.
The new ‘values’ questions will test applicants for example on their views about gender equality, the importance of democracy and religious freedom.
To take the test, you must
• have applied for Australian citizenship
• be a permanent resident of Australia (Click here for General Residence Requirements)
• show proof of your identity during the test registration
• provide a photograph of yourself or allow the government to take one
Not everybody has to take this test. The exceptions are:
• if you are under 18 or over 60
• if you have a substantial cognitive or physical disability that prevents you from being able to take the test
• if one of your parents is a former Australian citizen
• if you were born in Papua before 16 September 1975 and one of your parents is an Australian citizen who was born in Australia
• if you are a stateless person but you were born in Australia
The test fee is part of your citizenship application so there are no additional fees for this test.
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) will send you a letter or an email, depending on the method of communication you chose, with the date, time and location of your citizenship test. Once you applied for citizenship, the waiting time to get this letter will vary depending on your local test centre.
Australian citizenship test – what to bring to the test
You will have to bring all the original documents that you have provided with your citizenship application. As well, you will need to supply your completed identity declaration and photograph.
Australian citizenship test – arrive on time at the test centre
You will need to arrive on time for your citizenship test, otherwise you won’t be able to take your test that day. It is best if you know how to get to the test location and how much time it will take to do so before your test day.
Australian citizenship test – Children
There is no childcare at the test centres, so please don’t bring children.
Australian citizenship test – what happens when you arrive at the test centre
Upon arriving at the test centre, you will be called to a counter where a citizenship officer will go over your documentation to verify your identity and the information you provided on your citizenship application form. This registration procedure will verify that you are eligible to take the citizenship test that day. If you haven’t brought an endorsed picture of you, the officer will take a picture of you.
The officer will then give you a password so that you can login into of the computers placed on the other side of the room.
Australian citizenship test – rules in the test room
• a maximum of 45 minutes will be allowed for you to take your Australian citizenship test
• you cannot bring any resource material (notes, resource book, etc.)
• all your personal belongings will have to be placed underneath your desk while you take your test
• all electronic devices will have to be turned off
• you can talk to a test administrator but you cannot talk to anybody else
If you don’t follow these rules, you could be asked to leave the test centre and take another test at a later date
Australian citizenship test – what happens during the test
If you don’t know how to use a computer, a test officer can show you how to use it.
One of the staff can assist you in taking your test if you have a cognitive or physical disability that restricts you from being able to take your test independently. (for example- if you cannot read the computer screen or if you cannot use the computer mouse)
If you have poor English literacy skills, you can listen to the questions and choice of answers via text-to-speech technology.
For more information on assistance at the test (also called Assisted Test), please contact the department (Telephone: 131 880).
All other applicants will take the Standard Test (the same test but without assistance).
Australian citizenship test – tips for passing the test
• read the resource book many times before your test day. Know your material.
• take a lot of practice tests before your test day.
• eat before the test so you are not hungry or distracted while you take it.
• sleep well the night before the test
• arrive on time at the test centre
• you can answer 5 questions incorrectly, but you should really answer ALL the questions. If you don’t know the answer for a question, just pick any answer that sounds like it might be right. You have a 33% chance of choosing the right answer.
NOTE: You must answer all 5 ‘values’ questions correctly on the test.
• take your time during the test. Relax and read the questions carefully. Forty-five minutes should be plenty of time.
Australian citizenship test – after the test
At the end of our Australian citizenship test, your test result will show on your computer screen. Your test result will be automatically recorded on your citizenship application.
The citizenship officer will return all your documents to you.
You will then have to wait for the outcome of your citizenship application. If you meet all the citizenship requirements, you will get an Approval Letter saying that your application has been approved. You will have to wait to receive another letter with the date, time and location for your citizenship ceremony (usually within 6 months of your citizenship application approval).
You must attend your citizenship ceremony. You will not become an Australian citizenship until you have taken the Australian Citizenship Pledge.
You must attend the citizenship ceremony within 12 months of the approval of your citizenship application. If you do have a valid reason for not doing so, exceptions can be made. Please contact the department if you cannot attend your ceremony.
You don’t have to attend a citizenship ceremony and make the Pledge if:
• you have a permanent cognitive or physical impairment
• one of your parents was a former Australian citizen
• you were born in Papua
• you were stateless when born in Australia
• you are 15 or under
• you acquire your citizenship by descent or adoption
•you are re-instituting your Australian citizenship
Australian citizenship test – if you fail the test
If you fail your test, you can take another one, possibly on the same day; or you can book another test date if you need some time to study.
There is no additional fee for taking the test again.
Do you need help preparing for your Australian citizenship test?
We have helped thousands of people pass their test, check out our Australian Citizenship Test – Complete Online Training Program.
Hello good morning sir i am from pakistan and i want australian citizenship can you help me sir and what i do for that
Hello bro, you need to be an Australian permanent resident to be eligible for australian citizenship.
I would like to get mor information & learn citizen test.
Very good
It was so good I engoy at it.
My wife and I are permanent residents to Australia,9 years,and both seniors over 60 years.How do we get our Australian Citizenships.
Hi I’m British & have applied for Australia Citizenship both my perants are Australian Citizens but decreed ,I have lived here for 48 yrs migrated here with my parents when I was 10yrs old , I am married to an Australian & have 3 adult children born here . Do I have to sit the citizen test ?
I passed the test on July last year but haven’t receive any APPROVAL LETTER letter yet . . . 🙁
Hi I’m Ivy, I passed the Autralia Citizenship test on August 2017, and I didn’t receive any letter or notice. I don’t know what is happening with my situation…
Hi I’m Ivy, I passed the Autralia Citizenship test on August 2017, and I didn’t receive any letter or notice. I don’t know what is happening with my situation…
I passed the test on 14th of August but haven’t receive any form of APPROVAL LETTER yet. My husband and my children have received the letter, but not me. Is there any way to find out if I have passed the process ? Thanks.
hi can i ask when did you end up receiving the approval letter? as my husband still hasn’t received his and he done the test in october last year.
hi
if you fail in test third time then can you provided information.
thanks
Thanks australia.I want to know go to Australia citizenship test today. because,I am apply followed lowyer.
hi, I fail citizenship standard test 4 times. I live in Brisbane.
Am I eligible for the course-based test? if yes where I can do the course around Brisbane?
thanks.
qorban
Hello, could you please tell me the dates the tests are held.
Hi There,
I passed my citizenship test on the 17th Aug18, but i haven’t received any letters or emails since then.
my Immiaccount shows the type of my application is still under Australian citizenship by conferral.
I’m just wondering how can i check the process?
Thanks
I am sailing in the same boat. Have you heard anything back ?
I had pass my citizenship test three years ago but still i didn’t,t get my approval letter
Hi
I passed the test on July 25th 2018 and have heard nothing since.
Is this normal ?
My husband passed his in October 2018, and we still haven’t heard anything either. Have you received your letter yet?
I am sailing in the same boat. Have you heard anything back ?
hi…
anyone can tell me how do i book a citizenship test. i submit my file today online but i donno which website to go for book a test.plz reply me. thanks
Hi I passed my citizenship on 6/9/2018 but up to today I still haven’t received any official letter from home affair department for the citizenship ceremony . Kindly advise what should I do . Thank you very much
My father is British born but now an Australian citizen. I am 46 years old & a permanent resident . Do I need to take the test for citizenship or is it granted to be on application because of my father?
Hey There,
Are there any restrictions after I sit the test with regards to travel?
hi i passed the test on 15/3/2019 and never received the approval letter yet ,anyone can tell when i should receive it ?
thanks
I want to come Australia because of my better future.My life is going to be a painfull life.
e Australian citizenship test is one of the requirements for becoming an Australian citizen.
The test will assess your knowledge of Australia (its people, traditions, geography, symbols, beliefs and values, government and laws), as well as the responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship.
The citizenship test is in English and is computer-based. You will have to answer 20 questions within 45 minutes.
Hi
After my test how much time I must wait until to get my citizenship?
If I want to travel overseas what should I do?
Thanks sir
I want go to canada for wrok
asc my name is alidek i live in mugadishu i want you to help me visa for canada kindly….i wish good reply Allah willing….
I want Australian citizenship and give me please informations about how to apply for the test of citizenship.
Well finally the citizenship test is over.
The exciting part was to see that I scored 100 %.
I just read the common bonds book while travelling in train going to work and back home.As mother I have to cook, clean, feed the little one and sitting down and doing revision if little one.
I thought train is best place me to study for the test.
It not that hard after all.
Hi April,
Congratulations on acing your test! We wish you all the best!
Hi
I need to know. Can I complete the test in a different state than the one I originally applied due to COVID-19 and border closures?
I would assume once you have updated your details on the immi website, that when your Citizenship Test is allocated, it would then be assigned to your nearest office.
That seems logical but to be certain, we recommend contacting the Office of Home Affairs. This link may be helpful to you:
Hi Devid,
You can still access the old test. You login into your account. On the home page you will see a link in the top box on that page which will take you to the old test.
Hi..
Just wandering what are the options left if you fail the test thrice???
Hi Rani,
We are not 100% sure. We recommend that you contact the Department of Citizenship and Immigration for your inquiry.
I have just given Citizenship test yesterday and it went alright. As I was told by the officer I would get 3 attempts to pass the test but I did it with single attempt. you would get 45 mins for the test but trust me it would not take more than 5 mins to finish it if you are little prepared for it. However, now I am not sure what will be next and how long would I have to wait for the final letter. Seems another waiting game …
Hi Rumman,
Congratulations on passing your test!
We hope that you will be contacted soon for your citizenship ceremony!
It’s really not that hard to pass the test if you have lived in Australia for a while. I scored 100% on 02/12/2020. Just wondering how long it will take to get the approval letter. I was expecting they will ask me to go to the ceremony this Australia day 🙂
Hello Raihan,
Congratulations on passing your test with ease and a perfect score!
We recommend that you contact the department of Home Affairs for your inquiry.
hi, Australian values question will be the same as in the simulation test.
Hi Satinder,
Yes, the chapter test ‘Values questions’ are the same as the ones in the simulation test.