Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Australian citizenship test study notes, summarised from page 8 of Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, the official booklet the test is based on.
- Australia’s first inhabitants are the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples — the oldest continuous cultures and traditions in the world.
- Aboriginal people are historically from mainland Australia and Tasmania. Archaeology shows they arrived between 65,000 and 40,000 years ago; their creation stories begin with the beginning of time.
- Torres Strait Islander people are from the islands between the northern tip of Queensland and Papua New Guinea.
- They have a deep connection with the land, expressed through stories, art and dance. Indigenous cultures are diverse and an important part of national identity.
- There are more than 100 distinct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.
- They make up approximately three per cent of the population (glossary).
Our Common Bond, p. 8
Sample practice questions
Try these, then check your answer. They’re our practice questions, not the real test questions.
1. Who were Australia’s first inhabitants?
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- British convicts and soldiers of the First Fleet
- Chinese miners who came during the gold rush
Show answer
Answer: A. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Australia’s first inhabitants are the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Our Common Bond, p. 8
2. How do Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples express their deep connection with the land?
- Through letters, emails and phone calls
- Through television, radio and newspapers
- Through their stories, art and dance
Show answer
Answer: C. Through their stories, art and dance
Their deep connection with the land is expressed in their stories, art and dance.
Our Common Bond, p. 8
3. In Australia, what does the word ‘Indigenous’ refer to?
- The descendants of the First Fleet convicts and free settlers
- The Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia
- The British and Irish settlers who founded the first colonies
Show answer
Answer: B. The Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia
Indigenous refers to the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples — the First Peoples of this country.
Our Common Bond, p. 42
Practise all 10 questions on this topic