Our Common Bond, part by part

Part 1: Australia and its people

Part 1 tells the story of the country you may be joining. It begins with the First Peoples.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples lived here for many thousands of years before anyone came from Europe, and their cultures are still alive today. Torres Strait Islander people come from the islands that lie north of Queensland, close to Papua New Guinea.

European settlement began on 26 January 1788, when the first eleven convict ships, known as the First Fleet, arrived from Britain.

The colony of New South Wales grew as more convicts and free settlers came, and other colonies followed. A gold rush from 1851 drew people from all over the world. The newcomers from China formed the first big group who were not European.

On 1 January 1901 the six colonies joined together as the Commonwealth of Australia, with a national parliament, a government and a High Court. After World War II, many Europeans arrived to begin again. In the decades since, programs for migrants and refugees have welcomed people from every region of the world.

Part 1 then names the six states and the two mainland territories with their capital cities, and says Canberra is the national capital. It covers days that matter to many people here, such as Australia Day on 26 January and Anzac Day on 25 April.

It also covers the national symbols. These are the national flag, the Torres Strait Islander flag and the Aboriginal flag. They also include the Coat of Arms, the golden wattle, the colours green and gold, the opal and the anthem, Advance Australia Fair.

It also explains two ways to show respect for the traditional owners of the land: a Welcome to Country, and an Acknowledgement of Country. And it notes that English is the national language, while other languages are valued too, including more than 100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.

Practise this chapter: Part 1, Australia and its people

Part 2: Democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

Part 2 explains the ideas behind the pledge. At your ceremony you promise to share the country's democratic beliefs. You also promise to respect the rights and freedoms of its people.

This part sets them out. The beliefs are living peacefully, the rule of law, parliamentary democracy, and respect for every person whatever their background.

Parliamentary democracy means that a government gets its power from the people, who vote for their representatives. The rule of law means that everyone must obey the same laws, including leaders, police and business people. Living peacefully means that people try to change things by talking and voting, never by violence.

The freedoms in Part 2 are freedom of speech and expression, freedom of association and freedom of religion.

People may say what they think, meet together, join or leave groups, and follow any religion or none, as long as they obey the law. The government is secular, which means it works separately from churches and other religious groups. When a religious practice and an Australian law conflict, the law wins.

Men and women have equal rights, and treating a person differently because of their gender is against the law. People also value a "fair go": what you achieve should come from your talents, work and effort, not from your wealth or your background.

Part 2 ends with the duties and the benefits of citizenship. Citizens must obey the law. They must vote in national, state and territory elections and in referendums if they are 18 or over.

They must be ready to defend the country, and serve on a jury if called. Citizens can apply for a passport. They can work in the public service or the defence force and stand for parliament.

They can ask Australian officials for help overseas. They can also apply for citizenship by descent for a child born overseas. Paying tax and volunteering are described as other ways to take part.

Practise this chapter: Part 2, democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

Part 3: Government and the law

Part 3 is about how the country is governed and how laws are made and kept. It starts with having your say. Voting is compulsory in elections and referendums.

You must be on the electoral roll. The ballot is secret. You can be fined if you do not vote and have no good reason.

The Australian Electoral Commission runs federal elections and is independent of the government. You can also write to your elected representative about a law or a policy.

The part then goes back to federation. Before 1901 there were six separate British colonies, each with its own laws, which made trade, transport and defence difficult.

The Constitution, passed in 1900 and in force from 1 January 1901, is the legal document with the basic rules of government. It set up the Parliament and the High Court.

The Parliament has a lower house called the House of Representatives and an upper house called the Senate. Only a referendum can change it. A change needs a yes from most voters across the country and from most voters in most of the states.

Power is shared between three branches. Parliament makes the laws, the executive (the Prime Minister, the ministers and the Governor-General) puts them into practice, and independent judges apply them.

The King of Australia is the head of state, represented by the Governor-General, and the leader of the government is the Prime Minister. The country is a constitutional monarchy.

The House of Representatives has more than 150 members, one for each electorate.

The Senate has 76 senators: twelve from each state and two each from the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.

A new law starts as a Bill, both Houses must agree to it, and then the Governor-General signs it, which is called Royal Assent.

Part 3 also shows what each level of government looks after. National matters include defence and taxes.

State matters include hospitals, schools and police. Local matters include rubbish, parks and local roads.

Finally, the part explains the courts and the police, which are independent of the government. It explains juries and the idea that you are innocent until a court finds you guilty.

It also lists the serious crimes you must know about, including family violence. Not knowing a law is no excuse. It also covers basic road rules, such as wearing a seatbelt and never driving after taking drugs or above the alcohol limit.

Practise this chapter: Part 3, government and the law

Part 4: Australian values

Part 4 sets out Australian values, which rest on four ideas: freedom, respect, fairness and an equal chance for everyone. The booklet says citizenship is about living these values in everyday life. Home Affairs says the real test includes five questions on Australian values and that you must answer every one of them correctly.

The values repeat and deepen ideas from the earlier parts. They are the rule of law, parliamentary democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom of religion. Some details are firm.

Religious laws have no legal status here. Practices such as forced marriage and having more than one spouse are against the law. Urging violence against a person or a group is never acceptable.

Equality is a core value. People have equal rights whatever their race, religion, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation or country of origin.

Women and men can study, work, vote and use the courts on equal terms, and the law allows two people to marry whatever their genders. A "fair go" means a job should go to the best qualified person.

Mutual respect and tolerance means respecting other people's views even when you disagree, and never using violence or abuse. Racism has no place here, including racist material online. Lawful requests from the police should be followed.

Part 4 also describes the community side of citizenship. This means making a contribution and supporting yourself and your family when you can. It also means "mateship" (helping others in times of need) and volunteering.

It treats English as the national language and links it to getting an education, a job and a place in the community. It asks people to help keep society safe, for example by reporting a planned serious crime or the abuse of a child.

It says online abuse is not accepted. On loyalty, it says a citizen may hold another citizenship if that country allows it. A citizen must follow every Australian law, and some Australian laws also apply overseas.

Practise this chapter: Part 4, Australian values

Try some questions

• Take the 20-question practice testFifteen general questions and five values questions, drawn fresh each time.
• Practise the values questionsOnly the questions on Australian values, one after another.
• Read about the ceremonyWhat happens on the day you make the pledge, step by step.