Responsibilities and Privileges of Australian Citizenship

Key privileges of Australian citizenship

Australian citizens can apply for an Australian passport, vote in elections, and receive consular assistance from Australian officials while overseas. Citizenship also means you belong fully to the Australian community.

• Apply for an Australian passport
• Vote in federal and state or territory elections and referendums
• Seek election to Parliament (if eligible)
• Register children born overseas as Australian citizens by descent (subject to rules)

Key responsibilities

Citizenship comes with duties. Adults must enrol and vote, obey Australian laws, and defend Australia should the need arise. Understanding these responsibilities helps with both democratic-beliefs and Australian-values questions.

• Obey the laws of Australia
• Enrol and vote in elections and referendums (if aged 18 or over)
• Serve on a jury if called
• Defend Australia should the need arise

How to revise this for the test

Read the relevant sections in Our Common Bond, then take free mock tests and check every missed question. Pair this article with our democratic beliefs and Australian values topic pages for deeper practice.