Australian Citizenship Test - Study Notes

The test is quite easy. It consists of 20 multi-choice questions. You need to answer 15 correctly to pass. Here are my study notes from the testable section of the 2014 issue of  Our Common Bond booklet. It takes about 1-2 hours to prepare for the test if your English is good.

-- part 1
40000-60000 years ago aboriginals already lived in australia

11 convict ships - the first fleet - arrived 26 jan 1788 - now a public holiday
under command of captain arthur phillip - first governor of new south wales colony

first free settlers from great britain and ireland

1851 gold discovered in nsw and victoria
chinese - the first large group of non-europeans
between 1851 and 1861 population doubled

1901 commonwealth of australia
4 million people, not incl. indigenous

post ww2 migration - millions

over 22 million today and over 1/4 born overseas

national language - English
200 languages spoken in Australia

6 states, 2 territories (north, act)

nsw: icons: harbour bridge, opera house
sydney - the biggest city

victoria: smallest mainland state

qld: second largest

wa: largest state, wine regions
3/4 live in Perth

sa: wine regions, colonial architecture in adelaide

tas: smallest state, bass strait, hobart is capital

act: parliament house, high court of australia

26 jan: australia day
honour history and the people
on the eve of australia day pm announces in canberra australian of the year awards
citizenship ceremonies

25 apr: anzac day
australian and new zealand army corps landed in gallipoli in turkey on 25 april 1915
remember sacrifice, honour courage

Australian Flag

official flag: australian national flag:
blue white and red, it has:
1. union jack - flag of GB
2. commonwealth star under it
it has 7 points: 6 states and 1 for all territories
3. southern cross

Aboriginal Flag

aboriginal flag:
black, red and yellow
black - the people
red - the earth and spirit
yellow - sun

Torres Strait Islanders Flag

torres strait islanders flag:
green, blue, black and white
green - land
blue - sea
black - people
white - dancer's headdress
points of the white star - island groups
white - peace

Coat of Arms

coat of arms:
national unity
authority and property of australia
shield - six states, federation
kangaroo, emu - native animals
gold commonwealth star
background: golden wattle - national flower

golden wattle: small tree - south eastern au
bright green leaves
golden yellow flowers in spring

green and gold - national colours
national gemstone: opal
rainbow touched the earth

anthem: advance australia fair

--------- part 2

parliamentary democracy
parliament: make the laws
rule of law - all equal under law
living peacefully - reject violence
compassion, mateship, volunteering,
freedom of speech, expression
cannot harm others
freedom of association, religion
secular government
judeo-christian heritage:
good friday, easter sunday, christmas

resposibilities:
obey laws
vote
defend
serve on jury

privileges:
vote
work in public service or defense
seek election to parliament
passport
help overseas
register children as australian

referendum: a vote to change constiution
federal, state, territory voting is compulsory when on
electoral roll - over 18 years old

local government voting
is not compulsory in some states

18 yo - can be elected to parliament

--- part 3
pay a fine - if you don't have a good reason for not voting
AEC - austr. electoral commission
independent
secret ballot

1 jan 1901 6 colonies united
british act of parliament 1900
house of representatives
senate
high court
double majority to change const.:
majority of voters in majority of states

head of state: queen - elizabeth II
queen appoints governor general
on advice of prime minister

constitutional monarchy

gov. general:
signs all bills passed (royal assent)
sign regulations
ceremonial duties
approves appointments of government,
ministers, federal judges
reserve powers

head of state: the queen of australia
governor - each state
gov. general - federal
premier - state
prime minister - federal
gov minister - must be member of parliament
MP - representative of people
senator - representative of state in parliament
mayor or shire president - local council
councillor - elected

australian parliament:
house of representatives
senate

150 in house of reprs. - voting for 1 person
based on the size of population

senate - upper house, house of review
states are equally represented regardless of size
12 from each state = 6*12 = 72 plus
2 from from each territory

leader of territory: chief minister
nt: administrator instead of governor

state responsible for:
hospitals,
schools
rail
roads,
forests
police
public transport

... there was a bit more but I stopped taking notes.