Part 1: Australia and its people – practice questions

Updated 12 October 2026

Part 1 of Our Common Bond is about Australia’s people, history and national symbols. It covers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who have the oldest continuous cultures in the world; British settlement from 1788; the gold rushes and migration; Federation in 1901; the states and territories and their capital cities; national symbols such as the flags, colours and anthem; and important days such as Australia Day and Anzac Day.

Below are 10 sample questions from our practice tests, with answers and explanations. They are a taste of the topic, not a full test. To practise under test conditions, start a full practice test at the end of this page.

10 sample questions on Part 1

1. Who were the first inhabitants of Australia?

  1. The British colonists
  2. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
  3. European settlers from the First Fleet
Show answer
Answer: B. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Why: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were the first inhabitants of Australia and have the oldest continuous cultures and traditions in the world. British settlement began much later, in 1788.

2. When did the First Fleet arrive from Great Britain?

  1. 26 January 1788
  2. 1 January 1901
  3. 25 April 1915
Show answer
Answer: A. 26 January 1788
Why: The First Fleet of 11 convict ships arrived from Great Britain on 26 January 1788. 1 January 1901 is Federation, and 25 April 1915 is the Gallipoli landing commemorated on Anzac Day.

3. On what date is Anzac Day observed?

  1. 26 January
  2. 1 January
  3. 25 April
Show answer
Answer: C. 25 April
Why: Anzac Day is observed on 25 April each year, the anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli during World War I in 1915.

4. What happened on 1 January 1901?

  1. The First Fleet arrived in Sydney
  2. The separate colonies were united into a federation called the Commonwealth of Australia
  3. Australia's Constitution was changed by referendum
Show answer
Answer: B. The separate colonies were united into a federation called the Commonwealth of Australia
Why: On 1 January 1901 the separate colonies were united into a federation of states called the Commonwealth of Australia. This event is known as Federation.

5. How many states and how many territories does Australia's federation include?

  1. Six states and two mainland territories
  2. Five states and three territories
  3. Seven states and one territory
Show answer
Answer: A. Six states and two mainland territories
Why: At Federation the colonies became a federation of six states. Australia also has two mainland territories: the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.

6. What is the capital city of Australia?

  1. Sydney
  2. Melbourne
  3. Canberra
Show answer
Answer: C. Canberra
Why: Canberra, in the Australian Capital Territory, is the capital city of Australia. It is home to Parliament House and the High Court of Australia. Sydney and Melbourne are larger cities but are state capitals.

7. What is Australia's national language?

  1. There is no national language
  2. English
  3. Australian Sign Language
Show answer
Answer: B. English
Why: Australia's national language is English. It is part of our national identity, and people living in Australia are encouraged to learn and use it. There are also more than 100 distinct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.

8. How many points does the Commonwealth Star on the Australian flag have, and what do they represent?

  1. Seven points: one for each of the six states and one for the territories
  2. Six points: one for each state
  3. Eight points: one for each state and territory
Show answer
Answer: A. Seven points: one for each of the six states and one for the territories
Why: The Commonwealth Star has seven points, one for each of the six states and one point for the territories.

9. What are the colours of the Australian Aboriginal Flag?

  1. Green, blue, black and white
  2. Blue, white and red
  3. Black, red and yellow
Show answer
Answer: C. Black, red and yellow
Why: The Australian Aboriginal Flag is black, red and yellow: black for the Aboriginal peoples of Australia, red for the earth and its ceremonial significance, and the yellow circle for the sun.

10. What are Australia's national colours?

  1. Blue and white
  2. Green and gold
  3. Black, red and yellow
Show answer
Answer: B. Green and gold
Why: Australia's national colours are green and gold, the colours of the golden wattle, Australia's national flower.

Key terms in Part 1

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Australia’s first peoples. Their ancestors arrived between 65,000 and 40,000 years ago.
First Fleet
The 11 convict ships from Great Britain that arrived on 26 January 1788, led by Captain Arthur Phillip.
Australia Day
26 January. It marks the arrival of the First Fleet and is Australia’s biggest annual public holiday.
Anzac Day
25 April. It marks the Gallipoli landing in 1915 and remembers all who served and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
Federation
On 1 January 1901 the separate colonies joined to form the Commonwealth of Australia.
States and territories
Six states, plus two mainland territories: the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.
Commonwealth Star
The seven-pointed star on the Australian flag: one point for each state and one for the territories.
National symbols
Green and gold (national colours), the golden wattle (national flower), the opal (national gemstone) and “Advance Australia Fair” (national anthem).
Welcome to Country
A ceremony in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples welcome visitors to their traditional land.

Read Part 1, “Australia and its people”, in full in the free testable booklet from Home Affairs (PDF). Then try the other parts: Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 (values).

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