Equality of all people under the law
Australian citizenship test study notes, summarised from page 36 of Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, the official booklet the test is based on.
This is an Australian values topic. Every test includes 5 values questions, and you must get all 5 right to pass.
- Equal rights regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, race, or national or ethnic origin — no preferential treatment and no discrimination (e.g. Buddhists and people of all faiths are treated the same as Christians).
- Two people can marry, including two men or two women.
- Men and women have equal access to education and jobs, can vote, stand for parliament, join the Defence Force and police, and are treated equally in court.
- It is a right for a woman to get a job ahead of a man if she has better qualifications and skills.
- Both men and women make their own choices about marriage and religion. Violence against a spouse or partner is never acceptable and is a criminal offence.
- Divorce is acceptable. Either spouse may apply to the courts, even if the other wants to stay married.
Our Common Bond, p. 36
Sample practice questions
Try these, then check your answer. They’re our practice questions, not the real test questions.
1. Under Australian law, can two men or two women marry each other?
- No
- Only in some states
- Yes
Show answer
Answer: C. Yes
Under our laws, two people can marry each other, including marriage between two men or two women.
Our Common Bond, p. 36
2. How are Buddhists treated under Australian law compared with Christians?
- It depends on the person’s age
- It depends on which religion is larger in that state
- The same, people of all faiths receive the same treatment
Show answer
Answer: C. The same, people of all faiths receive the same treatment
Buddhists and people of all other faiths receive the same treatment as Christians.
Our Common Bond, p. 36
3. Do people in Australia have equal rights regardless of their national or ethnic origin?
- Only if they were born in Australia
- Only after living here for ten years
- Yes, all people have equal rights
Show answer
Answer: C. Yes, all people have equal rights
Australian society values the equal rights of all people, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, race, or national or ethnic origin.
Our Common Bond, p. 36
Practise all 12 questions on this topic