Lesson 6

🛂 Being an Australian citizen

The pledge, and the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship.

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Responsibilities

At a citizenship ceremony, new citizens pledge their loyalty to Australia and its people. Citizens aged 18 or over must obey the law, enrol and vote in federal and state or territory elections and referendums, serve on a jury if called, and defend Australia should the need arise. Dual citizens must follow all Australian laws at all times, even when they are overseas. Taxes pay for services such as healthcare, education, defence, roads and railways.

Remember

Privileges

Citizenship also brings privileges. Citizens can vote, seek election to parliament once they are 18, apply for an Australian passport and re-enter Australia freely, and ask for consular help from an Australian official while overseas.

Remember

Practice questions

What must Australian citizens do when called for jury service?

  1. Choose if you wish to attend or not.
  2. Ignore the summons.
  3. Attend and participate in jury service as instructed.
  4. Send a family member instead.

Answer: Attend and participate in jury service as instructed. Jury service, if requested, is a responsibility for Australian citizens aged 18 years or over.

Which of the following statements is true about passports in Australia?

  1. Permanent residents can hold an Australian passport.
  2. Australian citizens can apply for an Australian passport.
  3. Visitors can apply for an Australian passport.
  4. Australian citizens need a visa to return to Australia.

Answer: Australian citizens can apply for an Australian passport. When you become an Australian citizen, you have the privilege to apply for an Australian passport and are free to return to Australia without the need for a visa.

At what age does voting become a responsibility for Australian citizens?

  1. 16 years or over
  2. 18 years or over
  3. 21 years or over
  4. 25 years or over

Answer: 18 years or over. Voting is a responsibility for Australian citizens aged 18 years or over, in federal, state or territory elections and in a referendum.

Which of the following is a responsibility of an Australian citizen aged 18 years or over?

  1. Serving on a jury if called to do so
  2. Joining a political party
  3. Working in the public service
  4. Having an Australian passport

Answer: Serving on a jury if called to do so. Jury service, if requested, is a responsibility for Australian citizens aged 18 years or over. A jury is a group of ordinary Australian men and women who listen to the evidence in a court case and decide if a person is guilty or not guilty.

Which of the following is a privilege of Australian citizenship?

  1. Not having to pay taxes
  2. Asking for consular assistance from an Australian official while overseas
  3. Ignoring traffic laws
  4. Choosing which laws to obey

Answer: Asking for consular assistance from an Australian official while overseas. While you are overseas, you can ask for help from an Australian government official in times of need. This includes in the case of emergencies such as civil unrest and natural disasters.

If an Australian citizen also holds the citizenship of another country (dual citizenship), what must they do when in Australia?

  1. They only need to follow the laws of their other country.
  2. They must follow all Australian laws at all times.
  3. They can choose which country's laws to follow.
  4. They are exempt from paying taxes in Australia.

Answer: They must follow all Australian laws at all times. Even if a person is also a citizen of another country, an Australian citizen within Australia must follow all Australian laws at all times.

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