Our Common Bond study notes · Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties
Responsibilities and Privileges of Citizenship
The test regularly asks which items are responsibilities and which are privileges. Learning the two lists side by side is the fastest way to get these questions right.
Key facts for the test
- •Responsibilities: obey the law, vote, defend Australia if needed, jury service
- •Voting is compulsory in federal and state or territory elections from age 18
- •Privileges include an Australian passport and consular help overseas
- •Dual citizens cannot seek election to parliament
- •Tax is collected by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
Responsibilities: what you give Australia
As a citizen you must obey the laws of Australia, vote in federal and state or territory elections and in a referendum, defend Australia should the need arise, and serve on a jury if called to do so. Voting is compulsory for citizens aged 18 or over in federal and state or territory elections; it may not be compulsory in some local government elections. Service in the Defence Force is voluntary, but defending the nation if needed is a responsibility. Citizens on the electoral roll can be called for jury duty.
Privileges: what Australia gives you
As a citizen you can vote, apply for children born overseas to become citizens by descent, apply for a job in the Australian Public Service or the Australian Defence Force, seek election to parliament, apply for an Australian passport and re-enter Australia freely, and ask for consular assistance from an Australian official while overseas. To seek election to parliament you must be 18 or over and not a dual citizen.
Taking part in society
Active citizens join community organisations, volunteer, and take part in political life. Paying tax is required by law and is collected by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Taxes pay for services such as healthcare, education, defence, roads and railways, and social security.
Summarised in our own words from Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, Department of Home Affairs, licensed under CC BY 4.0. This is not an official publication.
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