Australian Citizenship Test key terms

The two groups of Indigenous Australians. Aboriginal peoples are the original inhabitants of mainland Australia and many islands; Torres Strait Islander peoples come from the islands between Cape York and Papua New Guinea.

An Australian value meaning loyalty, mutual help and fairness toward friends and neighbours, especially in hard times. It is often linked to looking after others and giving people a fair go.

An Australian value holding that everyone deserves an equal chance in life and should be treated fairly, regardless of background. It supports equality before the law and equal opportunity.

Shared principles expected of all Australians, including respect for freedom and dignity, democracy, rule of law, equality, mutual respect, tolerance, compassion and fair play. Citizens pledge loyalty to these values.

The right to express opinions and ideas openly, including criticising the government, within limits set by law. It is protected in practice rather than by a single national bill of rights.

The liberty to communicate views through speech, writing, art or media. Australian law allows this freedom but restricts it where speech is defamatory, threatening or incites violence.

The right of every person to follow any religion, change religion, or hold no religion at all. Australian law does not establish a state religion and protects religious belief and practice.

The principle that everyone, including governments, ministers and officials, is subject to the same laws. No person is above the law, and laws are applied fairly and consistently.

The principle that all people are treated the same by the legal system, regardless of wealth, position, gender, religion or ethnicity. Everyone faces the same courts and penalties.

The belief that everyone should have a fair chance to education, work and success, whatever their background. It underpins public schooling, health care and anti-discrimination protections.

An Australian value meaning acceptance of people with different religions, cultures, lifestyles and opinions. It supports a peaceful, diverse society and rejects discrimination or hostility toward others.

The policy and social reality of Australia as a nation of many cultures and languages. It encourages cultural diversity while expecting everyone to accept shared Australian values and laws.

The statement a person makes at a citizenship ceremony promising loyalty to Australia and its people, and to share their democratic beliefs, respect their rights and freedoms, and uphold their laws.

The official event at which a person becomes an Australian citizen. The person makes the pledge of commitment, usually receives a certificate, and may be given a gift such as a native plant.

The federal law setting out who can become an Australian citizen and how. It covers eligibility, the citizenship test, the pledge, and circumstances in which citizenship can be lost.

The official name of the Australian nation, created when the six colonies federated in 1901. It describes the federal structure uniting the national government and the states.

The 1901 union of six British colonies into one nation, the Commonwealth of Australia. It created a federal system with a national government and separate state governments.

The founding document that sets out how Australia is governed. It creates the federal Parliament, the executive and the courts, and divides powers between the Commonwealth and the states.

Australia's system of government in which a hereditary monarch is head of state, represented locally by the Governor-General, while elected parliaments make the laws.

The monarch's representative at the federal level in Australia. The Governor-General gives royal assent to laws, appoints ministers on advice, and performs ceremonial and constitutional duties.

The parliamentary model inherited from Britain. Government is formed by the party or coalition with a majority in the lower house, and the executive is drawn from and answerable to Parliament.

The principle that the executive government must answer to Parliament and through it to the people. Ministers are drawn from Parliament and can be questioned, censured or removed.

The division of government into three arms: the legislature that makes laws, the executive that carries them out, and the judiciary that interprets them. It prevents concentration of power.

The arm of government that makes the law. At federal level this is the Parliament, comprising the King, the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The arm of government that puts laws into effect and runs public administration. It includes the Prime Minister, ministers, government departments and agencies.

The arm of government made up of judges and courts. It interprets and applies the law independently, decides disputes, and can rule on whether laws are constitutional.

The highest court in the country. It hears appeals, interprets the Constitution and can strike down laws that exceed constitutional power.

The federal law-making body made up of the King, the Senate and the House of Representatives. It debates and passes legislation, approves budgets and scrutinises the government.

The lower house of the federal Parliament. Its members represent electorates and are elected at least every three years; the party with a majority forms government.

The upper house of the federal Parliament, with senators representing the states and territories. It reviews legislation and is sometimes called the house of review.

The voting system used for the House of Representatives, in which voters number candidates in order of preference. If no candidate wins a majority, preferences are distributed until one does.

The requirement that enrolled Australian citizens attend a polling place and vote at elections. Failure to vote without a valid reason can result in a fine.

Registration on the electoral roll so a person can vote. Australian citizens aged 18 or over must enrol and keep their details current.

The independent body that runs federal elections and referendums. It maintains the electoral roll, counts votes and educates the public about voting.

A national vote on a proposed change to the Constitution. A change passes only if a majority of voters nationally and a majority of voters in a majority of states agree.

The split of law-making authority between the federal Parliament and the state parliaments, set by the Constitution. Some powers are exclusive, some shared, and the rest remain with the states.

Levels of government below the Commonwealth. States have their own constitutions and parliaments; territories are governed under Commonwealth legislation and have less constitutional independence.

The third level of government, made up of councils that manage local services such as roads, parks and waste. Councils are established under state and territory laws.

Legislation making it unlawful to treat people unfairly because of characteristics such as age, sex, race, disability or religion. It supports equality in work, housing and services.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the first peoples of Australia, with cultures and languages tens of thousands of years old. They hold a special place in national identity.