Government and the Law: Australia citizenship test questions
Practice questions for the Australia citizenship test.
Last checked against the official sources:
20 free sample questions
Answer each one in your head, then open the answer to see why it is right.
1.Voting in Australian elections is by secret ballot.
- True
- False
Show the answer
Answer: True
A secret ballot means you are free and safe to vote for any candidate. Nobody is allowed to know how you voted unless you choose to tell them.
From the official guide: “voting in an election is by secret ballot” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
2.What is legislative power?
- The power to command the Defence Force
- The power to interpret laws
- The power to make laws
- The power to put laws into practice
Show the answer
Answer: The power to make laws
The Constitution divides power three ways. Parliament has legislative power, which means it can make and change the laws.
From the official guide: “Legislative power is the power to make laws.” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
3.What is a proposal for a new law called?
- A portfolio
- A referendum
- A Bill
- An Act
Show the answer
Answer: A Bill
A member of parliament who wants a new law, or a change to one, introduces a Bill. Both Houses consider, debate and vote on it.
From the official guide: “this proposal is called a ‘Bill’” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
4.According to the booklet, who is Australia’s Head of State?
- The Chief Justice
- The Prime Minister
- The Governor-General
- The King of Australia
Show the answer
Answer: The King of Australia
Australia’s Head of State is the King of Australia, named in the booklet as King Charles III. The King does not have a day-to-day role in government.
From the official guide: “Australia’s Head of State is the King of Australia” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
5.What is the leader of a state government called?
- The Chief Minister
- The Governor
- The Premier
- The Mayor
Show the answer
Answer: The Premier
Each state has a Premier who leads its government. The Governor of a state represents the King.
From the official guide: “The leader of a state government” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
6.What is a political party?
- A trade union
- A group of people who share similar ideas about how a country should be governed
- A government department
- A kind of court
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Answer: A group of people who share similar ideas about how a country should be governed
Members of a party work together to have its ideas turned into laws. Most parliamentarians belong to one.
From the official guide: “A political party is a group of people who share similar ideas about how a country should be governed.” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
7.It is a crime to offer a bribe to a police officer in Australia.
- True
- False
Show the answer
Answer: True
The police are independent of the government and protect life and property. Bribing the police is a serious crime, and so is even offering a bribe.
From the official guide: “It is a crime to even offer a bribe to a police officer.” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
8.What are the two Houses of the Australian Parliament?
- The House of Commons and the House of Lords
- The Parliament and the High Court
- The House of Representatives and the Senate
- The Senate and the Cabinet
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Answer: The House of Representatives and the Senate
The Australian Parliament has two Houses. In a federal election citizens vote to elect representatives to each of them.
From the official guide: “which has two Houses” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
9.Who represents the King in Australia?
- The Governor-General
- The Leader of the Opposition
- The Prime Minister
- The Premier of each state
Show the answer
Answer: The Governor-General
The King appoints the Governor-General on advice from the Prime Minister. In each state a governor plays a similar role.
From the official guide: “appoints the Governor-General as his representative in Australia” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
10.The rubbish in your street has not been collected for two weeks. Which level of government is responsible for rubbish collection?
- Local government
- The state government
- The Senate
- The Australian Government
Show the answer
Answer: Local government
Local councils plan and deliver services to their community. These include rubbish collection, local roads, parks and libraries.
From the official guide: “rubbish collection” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
11.Political parties can influence the decisions of the Australian Electoral Commission.
- True
- False
Show the answer
Answer: False
The AEC is independent of the government. Neither political parties nor people in government can influence its decisions.
From the official guide: “Political parties or people in government cannot influence the decisions of the AEC.” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
12.After a federal election, who generally forms the Australian Government?
- The party or coalition with the majority of members in the House of Representatives
- Whoever the Governor-General prefers
- The party with the most members in the state parliaments
- The party with the most senators
Show the answer
Answer: The party or coalition with the majority of members in the House of Representatives
The leader of that party or coalition becomes the Prime Minister. The party or coalition with the second largest number of members forms the Opposition.
From the official guide: “the party or coalition of parties with the majority of members in the Houses of Representatives” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
13.A new arrival breaks a law they had never heard of. Is not knowing about the law an excuse?
- Yes, for the first year in Australia
- Yes, if the law is unusual
- Yes, for people who are not citizens
- No: not knowing the law is no excuse
Show the answer
Answer: No: not knowing the law is no excuse
It is important to be familiar with the laws in Australia. A person who breaks a law they did not know about can still be charged.
From the official guide: “not knowing the law is no excuse” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
14.Who controls road and traffic rules in Australia?
- Local councils
- State and territory governments
- The Australian Federal Police
- The Australian Government
Show the answer
Answer: State and territory governments
Traffic laws are very strict and are set by each state and territory. People can be fined or sent to prison for breaking them.
From the official guide: “Road and traffic rules are controlled by state and territory governments.” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
15.What may happen if you do not vote in an election and have no good reason?
- Nothing happens
- You may have to pay a fine
- You lose your citizenship
- You are sent to prison
Show the answer
Answer: You may have to pay a fine
Voting is compulsory in Australian elections. Compulsory voting makes sure the people have a say in who governs and represents them.
From the official guide: “you may have to pay a fine” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
16.What is “Royal Assent”?
- A visit by the King to Australia
- The calling of a federal election
- The swearing-in of the Prime Minister
- The Governor-General signing a Bill passed by Parliament into law
Show the answer
Answer: The Governor-General signing a Bill passed by Parliament into law
A Bill agreed by both Houses of Parliament goes to the Governor-General. When the Governor-General signs it, it becomes law.
From the official guide: “signing all Bills passed by the Australian Parliament into law (this is called Royal Assent)” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
17.Australia is a constitutional monarchy. What does that mean?
- The Head of State is elected every three years
- The King is Head of State but must act in accordance with the Constitution
- Australia has no constitution
- The King makes all the laws
Show the answer
Answer: The King is Head of State but must act in accordance with the Constitution
In a constitutional monarchy the monarch’s powers are limited by the Constitution. Because the King does not live in Australia, his powers are delegated to the Governor-General.
From the official guide: “has to act in accordance with the Constitution” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
18.Before 1901, what was Australia made up of?
- Six separate, self-governing British colonies
- Two colonies and six territories
- Eight independent countries
- One colony governed from Sydney
Show the answer
Answer: Six separate, self-governing British colonies
Each colony had its own constitution and its own laws on matters such as defence, trade and transport. On 1 January 1901 they were united into the Commonwealth of Australia.
From the official guide: “Australia was made up of six separate, self-governing British colonies” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
19.Which agency conducts federal elections and referendums?
- The High Court of Australia
- The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC)
- The Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
- The Australian Federal Police (AFP)
Show the answer
Answer: The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC)
The AEC runs federal elections and referendums and keeps the electoral roll. It is independent of the government.
From the official guide: “responsible for conducting federal elections and referendums” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
20.Who has the power to interpret and apply the law?
- The police
- The Governor-General
- Judges
- Government ministers
Show the answer
Answer: Judges
This is judicial power. Courts and judges are independent of parliament and government.
From the official guide: “Judges have the power to interpret and apply the law.” Official source, checked October 14, 2026
17 more Government and the Law questions, with explanations and spaced review, are waiting in Swornly.
Study for the Australia testThe test
Australian citizenship test
20 questions, 15 to pass, 45 minutes
Common questions
- How can I practice Government and the Law questions for the Australia citizenship test?
- Swornly has 37 checked practice questions on Government and the Law. The sample on this page is free, with the answers explained; the rest are in the app.
- How many questions are on the Australia citizenship test?
- The Australian citizenship test has 20 questions.
- What score do you need to pass the Australia citizenship test?
- To pass the Australian citizenship test you need 15 correct answers out of 20 (75%).
- How long does the Australia citizenship test take?
- You have 45 minutes for the Australian citizenship test.
- What language is the Australia citizenship test in?
- The test is taken in English.
- Where do these practice questions come from?
- Each question is written from the official study material, checked against it by a reviewer, and linked to its source. They are for practice: the questions you are asked on the day may be worded differently.
- Is Swornly an official government website?
- No. Swornly is an independent study app and is not affiliated with any government. To book the test or check the rules that apply to you, use the official website. Official source
To book the test or check the rules that apply to you, use the official website linked above. Swornly is an independent study app and is not affiliated with any government.