You’ve lived here for years, you follow the news, and you’ve read the booklet twice. Then a friend mentions someone they know who failed the Australian citizenship test, and the nerves kick in. Capable people do sometimes fail it, and one rule in particular is worth understanding before you sit.
Here’s what the test actually involves as at October 2026, the one rule that catches people out, and what to do if things don’t go to plan.
The Australian citizenship test in 2026: the format
According to Home Affairs’ citizenship test page, as at October 2026 the test is:
- 20 multiple choice questions, computer-based
- 45 minutes to complete
- In English only
- Based entirely on the booklet Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond
- No extra cost to sit, as it’s included in your citizenship application fee
The questions cover four areas: Australia and its people; Australia’s democratic beliefs, rights and liberties; government and the law in Australia; and Australian values based on freedom, respect and equality.
The two-part pass rule most people get wrong
This is where capable people come unstuck. To pass, you need to meet both of these at once:
- At least 15 out of 20 (75%) overall, and
- All 5 Australian values questions correct (5 out of 5)
Miss either one and you don’t pass. That means someone could answer 19 out of 20 correctly and still fail, if the one they got wrong was a values question. The overall score doesn’t make up for it.
So while the general knowledge sections matter, the values section deserves the most careful preparation of all.
Who sits the test, and who has an interview instead
Home Affairs says most applicants between 18 and 59 will need to sit the citizenship test.
If you don’t need to sit the test, Home Affairs may interview you instead, to confirm your identity and ask about your application. At that interview:
- If you’re 60 or over, or have a hearing, speech or sight impairment, you may be asked to show you understand the nature of your application. A family member or support person can come with you, and Home Affairs can arrange an interpreter.
- If you’re 16 or 17, you may be asked to show you understand your application, have basic English, and understand the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship.
What the values questions are really testing
Home Affairs describes this part of the test as checking your understanding of, and commitment to, Australian values based on freedom, respect and equality. In practice, that means understanding how those values apply in everyday life, not just being able to name them.
We won’t reproduce or invent official test questions here. The best way to see the style is the official practice test, and the best way to prepare is the values section of Our Common Bond. Read it slowly, and think about how each idea would play out in a real situation at work, at school or in your neighbourhood.
The official practice test vs the real thing
Home Affairs offers an official citizenship practice test. According to Home Affairs:
- It’s designed to look and feel like the official test.
- It’s a sample test only.
- The questions will be different on the day.
Home Affairs also says it doesn’t endorse or recommend any external courses claiming to help you prepare, including paid apps. Its own resources include:
- The Our Common Bond booklet, available in 40 community languages (the test itself is in English only)
- The Our Common Bond podcast
- AMEPOnline citizenship modules for English language learners
See the Home Affairs prepare for the test page for all of these.
Booking the Australian citizenship test, and what to bring
The test is part of the application process for most people applying for citizenship by conferral. That means it comes after you apply, not before. If you haven’t applied yet, our guide on how to create an ImmiAccount is a good place to start.
For citizenship interviews, Home Affairs asks you to bring a photo ID, such as:
- An Australian driver licence
- A passport
- An Australian-issued proof of age card
Home Affairs won’t accept certified copies or electronic images of your photo ID. If you don’t bring one, your appointment will be moved to a later date. Check the instructions in your appointment correspondence so you know exactly what to bring on the day.
If you don’t pass
Not passing can feel like a big setback, but take a breath before you assume the worst. Read any correspondence from Home Affairs carefully, as it will set out your next steps, and check the current guidance on the Home Affairs website.
In the meantime, go back to the values section of Our Common Bond and work through the official practice test again. If you’re worried about how a result affects your application, speak with an immigration lawyer.
Where a citizenship lawyer can genuinely help
Most people prepare for the test on their own, and that’s fine. A lawyer becomes useful when the bigger picture is more complicated, for example:
- Questions about whether you meet the residence requirement
- A complex immigration or character history
- An application that has been refused, where review options may be available
- Citizenship by descent questions, covered in our guide on being born overseas to an Australian parent
Learn more about Australian citizenship, or speak with our citizenship lawyers in Melbourne about your situation. You can also find all our services on the Amity Lawyers homepage.
FAQs
How hard is the Australian citizenship test?
It’s 20 questions in 45 minutes, all based on Our Common Bond. What catches people out is the values rule: you need all 5 values questions correct, as well as at least 75% overall (Home Affairs, as at October 2026).
What are the 20 questions on the practice test?
The official practice test is a sample only, and Home Affairs says the real questions will be different. Both draw on the same four topic areas in Our Common Bond.
Is there a free Australian citizenship test in 2026?
Home Affairs offers an official practice test on its website. There’s no extra cost to sit the real test, as it’s included in your citizenship application fee (Home Affairs, as at October 2026).
How do I pass my citizenship test in Australia?
Study the testable section of Our Common Bond, especially the values section, and use the official practice test. To pass, you need at least 15 out of 20 overall and all 5 values questions correct.
