Our Common Bond: the testable section, part by part

Part 1: Australia and its people

Ten pages of history, geography and symbols. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants, with the oldest continuous cultures in the world; the First Fleet arriving on 26 January 1788 and the colony of New South Wales; the gold rush from 1851; Federation on 1 January 1901, when the colonies became the Commonwealth of Australia with a population of about four million; the 1967 referendum that counted Aboriginal peoples in the Census; migration after the Second World War; English as the national language.

Then the six states and two mainland territories with their capitals and a line or two on each, the traditions of Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country, Australia Day on 26 January and Anzac Day on 25 April, the three officially recognised flags and what each element means, the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, the golden wattle, green and gold, the opal, and the words of Advance Australia Fair.

Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

Six pages. The democratic beliefs are parliamentary democracy, the Rule of Law, living peacefully, and respect for all individuals regardless of background. The freedoms are speech and expression, association, and religion, each with the same rider: the laws of Australia must be obeyed at all times. The equalities are gender equality and equality of opportunity, the 'fair go'.

The rest of the part is the exchange at the heart of citizenship. Responsibilities: obey the law, vote in federal and state or territory elections and referendums, defend Australia should the need arise, serve on a jury if called. Privileges: vote, apply for children born overseas to become citizens by descent, work in the Australian Public Service or the Defence Force, seek election to parliament, hold an Australian passport and re-enter freely, and ask for consular help overseas. Voting is compulsory from 18 and there may be a fine for not voting.

Part 3: Government and the law in Australia

Ten pages, and the densest. How citizens have their say: enrolling and voting, the independent Australian Electoral Commission, the secret ballot. Federation and the Constitution, which came into effect on 1 January 1901, and the double majority needed to change it at a referendum. The division of power into legislative, executive and judicial. The Head of State, King Charles III, represented by the Governor-General, whose roles include signing Bills into law, which is Royal Assent.

Then the machinery: the House of Representatives with over 150 members and the Senate with 76 senators, twelve per state and two per territory; how a government is formed and what the Cabinet is; state and territory governments with Premiers and Chief Ministers; local councils; what each of the three levels is responsible for, from defence and immigration down to rubbish collection and building permits; how a Bill becomes law; the courts, juries, judges and magistrates, the state police forces and the Australian Federal Police; and the criminal and traffic offences the booklet chooses to name.

Part 4: Australian values

Seven pages and five questions of every test, all of which must be right. The Rule of Law, parliamentary democracy, freedom of speech, association and religion, equality under the law, equality of opportunity, mutual respect and tolerance, and the community values of contribution, compassion, English, safety and loyalty. The values guide goes through them heading by heading.

The glossary, and what is not tested

The glossary on pages 40 to 43 is titled Glossary of testable section, and it is part of it: short definitions of terms like coalition, constitutional monarchy, electorate, federation, mateship, referendum, secret ballot and the fair go, each with an example sentence. Questions use these words, so read it.

The full booklet also contains non-testable parts about Australia today and the Australian story, which are worth reading for their own sake and are not examined. The Department also publishes the testable section as a podcast and offers the free AMEPOnline citizenship modules for English learners. Together with its online practice test, that is the complete official kit, and it costs nothing.