Why the Values Section Is the Most Important Part of the Test
The Australian Citizenship Test has 20 questions. To pass, you need at least 15 correct overall. But here is the catch — 5 of those questions are about Australian values, and you must get ALL 5 correct. No exceptions.
This is the single biggest reason people fail. You could score 15 out of 15 on the general questions, but if you get even 1 values question wrong, you fail the entire test.
The good news? The values section is completely learnable. There are only 4 core values to understand, and once you know them deeply, you will never get a values question wrong.
The 4 Australian Values You Must Know
1. Respect for the freedom and dignity of the individual
Every person in Australia has the right to be treated with respect. This means equal treatment regardless of gender, race, religion, or background. No one should be discriminated against.
2. Freedom of speech and freedom of association
Australians can express their opinions openly and peacefully. You can join any organisation, political party, or community group you choose. You can protest peacefully. However, this freedom does not include hate speech or inciting violence.
3. Freedom of religion and secular government
Australia has no official religion. People can practice any religion or no religion at all. The government does not favour any particular religion. Laws are made by parliament, not religious leaders.
4. Rule of law and equality under the law
Everyone in Australia must follow the same laws. No one is above the law — not politicians, not wealthy people, not anyone. The courts and police treat everyone equally. The judiciary is independent from the government.
Common Mistakes That Cause People to Fail
Confusing values with laws. Values are principles that guide Australian society. Laws are rules enforced by the government. They overlap, but they are not the same. For example, "freedom of speech" is a value, but there are laws that limit speech (like defamation laws).
Not studying values separately. Many people study all 20 topics together and hope for the best. This is risky. The values section needs dedicated practice because you need 100%, not 75%.
Memorising without understanding. The test may phrase values questions in unfamiliar ways. If you only memorise specific answers, a differently worded question could trip you up. Focus on understanding the meaning behind each value.
Rushing through values questions. You have 45 minutes for 20 questions. That is more than 2 minutes per question. Take your time on the values questions — they are worth more than any other question on the test.
How to Study for the Values Section
Here is a proven study plan:
Week 1: Read the values chapter of "Our Common Bond" carefully. Make sure you can explain each value in your own words.
Week 2: Practice values questions daily. Use AussieReady's dedicated values drill mode to focus only on values questions until you consistently score 5 out of 5.
Week 3: Take full mock tests. Pay special attention to whether you get all 5 values questions correct. If you miss any, go back to the values drill.
When to book your test: When you can score 5 out of 5 on values questions consistently across 5 or more mock tests, you are ready.
Practice Makes Perfect
The values section does not need to be scary. With focused practice, you can master it completely. AussieReady offers a dedicated values practice mode that lets you drill just the values questions until you reach 100% accuracy.
Start practicing today — it is free to begin, and the values questions are included in the free plan.