Our community: contribution, mateship, English
Australian citizenship test study notes, summarised from page 38 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.
- Everyone is expected to participate and contribute, and to try to support themselves and their families when they are able to do so.
- Mateship: helping each other in times of need — e.g. a meal for an elderly neighbour, driving a friend to the doctor, visiting someone sick or lonely. Strong tradition of volunteering.
- English is the national language and a unifying element. People should make an effort to learn it; citizenship applicants must make reasonable efforts to learn English if it’s not their native language.
- In the 2019–20 bushfires, many multicultural communities collected money, clothes and food donations to help people affected — e.g. Chinese, Vietnamese and Cambodian communities in Victoria collected donations, and the Sikh community donated thousands of bottles of water to communities and firefighters in Queensland. Australians come together in times of crisis.
Our Common Bond, p. 38
Sample practice questions
Try these, then check your answer. They’re our practice questions, not the real test questions.
1. What does ‘mateship’ mean?
- Competing with your friends to see who is most successful
- Helping and receiving help from others, especially in difficult times
- Looking after yourself first so you do not need help from others
Show answer
Answer: B. Helping and receiving help from others, especially in difficult times
Australians value mateship — we help each other in times of need.
Our Common Bond, p. 38
2. Why is it important to learn to speak English in Australia?
- It helps you get an education, a job and integrate into the community
- It is required before you can rent a home or open a bank account
- It is a legal requirement for getting a job in Australia
Show answer
Answer: A. It helps you get an education, a job and integrate into the community
Learning English helps to get an education, a job, and better integrate into the community.
Our Common Bond, p. 38
3. What is a volunteer?
- A person who works part-time for a charity for a lower wage
- A person employed by the government to help in emergencies
- A person who gives their time without expecting payment
Show answer
Answer: C. A person who gives their time without expecting payment
A volunteer is a person who gives their time to a person or organisation without expecting payment.
Our Common Bond, p. 43
Practise all 11 questions on this topic