Cheat sheet
Australia and its people
The land, its First Peoples, waves of migration, and the multicultural society that makes Australia unique.
The facts to remember, in one place. Drill them with mock exams and spaced repetition in Australian Citizenship Test.
Download on theApp StoreAustralian national symbols and flags
- ◆ The Australian National Flag has three elements: the Union Jack, the Commonwealth Star and the Southern Cross.
- ◆ The Aboriginal Flag was designed by Harold Thomas and is an official flag of Australia.
- ◆ The Torres Strait Islander Flag represents the peoples of the Torres Strait.
- ◆ The coat of arms features a kangaroo and an emu — animals that cannot easily walk backwards.
- ◆ The national anthem is "Advance Australia Fair"; the first verse was updated in 2021 to include "for we are one and free".
Australian federation and history
- ◆ Australia became a federation on 1 January 1901 when the six colonies united.
- ◆ The six states are New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.
- ◆ The two self-governing territories are the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.
- ◆ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived in Australia for approximately 65,000 years.
- ◆ Large waves of migration after World War II transformed Australia into one of the world's most multicultural nations.
Australian states, territories and capital cities
- ◆ New South Wales — capital Sydney.
- ◆ Victoria — capital Melbourne.
- ◆ Queensland — capital Brisbane.
- ◆ South Australia — capital Adelaide.
- ◆ Western Australia — capital Perth.
- ◆ Tasmania — capital Hobart.
- ◆ Australian Capital Territory — Canberra (also the national capital).
- ◆ Northern Territory — Darwin.
ANZAC Day and national days in Australia
- ◆ ANZAC Day is on 25 April — it honours Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars.
- ◆ The date marks the 1915 Gallipoli landing by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
- ◆ Australia Day is on 26 January and marks the arrival of the First Fleet at Port Jackson in 1788.
- ◆ Remembrance Day on 11 November marks the armistice that ended World War I in 1918.
- ◆ Christmas Day (25 December) and Easter are the main Christian public holidays observed nationally.
How to become an Australian citizen
- ◆ Most applicants must be permanent residents and meet a residence requirement.
- ◆ Applicants are generally required to pass the citizenship test.
- ◆ The test has 20 questions, with a 75% pass mark.
- ◆ Citizenship is finalised by making the pledge at a citizenship ceremony.
The Australian way of life
- ◆ Australia is one of the most culturally diverse nations in the world.
- ◆ People are free to keep their culture while sharing Australian values.
- ◆ Sport, the outdoors and community life are central to Australian culture.
- ◆ Everyone is expected to obey the law and respect the rights of others.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- ◆ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are Australia's first peoples.
- ◆ They have lived in Australia for approximately 65,000 years.
- ◆ They have one of the world's oldest continuous living cultures.
- ◆ They have a deep spiritual connection to the land and the sea.
- ◆ Their heritage is an important and respected part of Australia today.
Migration and multiculturalism in Australia
- ◆ People have migrated to Australia from over 200 countries.
- ◆ Large-scale migration after World War II transformed Australian society.
- ◆ Australia is one of the most culturally diverse nations on Earth.
- ◆ Multiculturalism means respecting diverse cultures within shared values.
- ◆ Migrants are expected to embrace Australia's values and the rule of law.
Australian geography and landscape
- ◆ Australia is both the world's largest island and its smallest continent.
- ◆ Much of the interior is arid desert, known as the outback.
- ◆ The Great Barrier Reef, off Queensland, is the world's largest coral reef system.
- ◆ Most Australians live in cities and towns near the coast.
- ◆ Canberra is the national capital, chosen between Sydney and Melbourne.
The Australian national anthem
- ◆ The national anthem is "Advance Australia Fair".
- ◆ In 2021 the first verse was changed to "for we are one and free".
- ◆ The anthem is performed at citizenship ceremonies and national events.
- ◆ It is one of Australia's official national symbols.