Australian values questions: the part of the test you can’t miss
Updated 12 October 2026
The Australian citizenship test has 20 questions. Five of them are about Australian values. To pass, you need at least 15 out of 20 overall and all 5 values questions right. This page explains why the values questions matter so much, what they cover, and how to practise them.
Why one wrong values answer fails the test
Here is an example. You answer all 15 general questions correctly. You also answer 4 of the 5 values questions correctly. That is 19 out of 20, or 95%.
- Overall: 19/20. The rule is 15/20, so this rule is met.
- Values: 4/5. The rule is 5/5, so this rule is not met.
- Result: not passed.
So 19 out of 20 can still fail. You can miss up to 5 general questions and still pass, but you cannot miss any values questions. That is why it makes sense to prepare for the values questions first.
What the values questions cover
The values questions come from Part 4 of Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, called “Australian values”. In our own words, the main ideas are:
- Freedom. People in Australia have freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom of religion, within the law. You can protest peacefully. Violence is never acceptable.
- Respect. Every person has equal worth and dignity. Australians listen to other people and respect their views, even when they disagree.
- Equality. Everyone is equal under the law, and no one is above it. Men and women have equal rights. Discrimination is not acceptable.
- The fair go. Everyone deserves an equal chance. What you achieve should come from hard work and talent, not from your gender, wealth or background.
- Mateship. Australians help each other, especially in hard times. Volunteering in the community is a strong tradition.
Part 4 also covers the Rule of Law, the importance of learning English, and the commitment new citizens make in the citizenship pledge. Read it in full in the free testable booklet from Home Affairs (PDF).
5 sample values questions
These questions come from our practice tests. Try each one, then tap “Show answer”.
1. Australian society values equal rights for all people regardless of which attributes?
- Only gender and age
- Gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, race and national or ethnic origin
- Only race and religion
Show answer
2. According to the 'fair go' value, what should getting a job be based on?
- A person's skills and experience, not their gender, wealth or ethnicity
- A person's family connections
- A person's religion
Show answer
3. What does the Australian value of 'mateship' mean?
- Only helping your close friends
- Joining a sporting club
- Helping each other in times of need, such as helping an elderly neighbour or visiting someone who is sick or lonely
Show answer
4. Is peaceful public protest acceptable in Australia?
- No, all protest is illegal
- Yes, tolerance of peaceful public protest is an essential part of democracy
- Only if the government approves the message
Show answer
5. What does mutual respect require when someone disagrees with your opinions?
- Listening to others and respecting their views and opinions, even when they are different from your own
- Forcing them to change their mind
- Reporting them to the police
Show answer
How our tests mark values separately
Each of our 20 practice tests ends with 5 values questions (questions 16 to 20). We mark them separately from your overall score, using the same two rules as the real test. Your result shows two checks:
- your overall score, out of 20 (you need 15), and
- your values score, out of 5 (you need all 5).
If you miss a values question, your result tells you which rule you missed. It also shows the right answer, a short explanation and the part of Our Common Bond to re-read.
Want to know more about the test? Read how the citizenship test works or our tips for passing.
Practise the values questions under test conditions.
Start a free practice testNo sign-up. No payment. 20 questions, 45 minutes.