Freedom of religion
Australian citizenship test study notes, summarised from page 35 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.
- No official national religion; people may follow any religion or none. Religious practices must not break Australian laws.
- Religious laws have no legal status in Australia; Australian law must be followed even where it differs.
- Polygamy (being married to more than one person at once) and forced marriage are illegal and can lead to imprisonment.
- Religious intolerance is not acceptable.
Our Common Bond, p. 35
Sample practice questions
Try these, then check your answer. They’re our practice questions, not the real test questions.
1. What legal status do religious laws have in Australia?
- None, Australian law must be followed by everyone
- They can be enforced by the police
- They override Australian law when the two are different
Show answer
Answer: A. None, Australian law must be followed by everyone
Religious laws have no legal status in Australia.
Our Common Bond, p. 35
2. Is religious intolerance acceptable in Australian society?
- Yes, if it is meant as a joke
- No, it is not acceptable in Australian society
- Yes, if it is your personal belief
Show answer
Answer: B. No, it is not acceptable in Australian society
Religious intolerance is not acceptable in Australian society.
Our Common Bond, p. 35
3. What is a forced marriage?
- A marriage held in a registry office rather than a place of worship
- A marriage where one or both of the couple did not have a free choice
- A marriage that takes place quickly, without a long engagement
Show answer
Answer: B. A marriage where one or both of the couple did not have a free choice
A forced marriage is one where one or both of the couple did not have a free choice.
Our Common Bond, p. 41
Practise all 8 questions on this topic