How many values of Australian citizenship are there?
Answer
Multiple values including democracy, rule of law, equality, and responsibility
Explanation
There are six core Australian citizenship values listed by the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Citizenship Pledge framework: democratic beliefs, respect for the rights and liberties of all people, support for the rule of law and obedience to Australian law, equality of opportunity, the fair go, and freedom of speech, religion, and association. These values appear in the Australian Values Statement signed by visa applicants and in the Australian Citizenship Pledge recited at citizenship ceremonies.
Different listings of Australian values exist in different official documents. The Common Bond (Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond) booklet, used as the study resource for the Australian citizenship test, identifies a broader set of values including respect for individuals, equality of men and women, equality of opportunity, peacefulness, tolerance, mutual respect, compassion for those in need, freedom and dignity of the individual, freedom of religion, commitment to the rule of law, parliamentary democracy, and English as the national language.
The Australian Citizenship Pledge captures the core in a single statement: 'From this time forward, under God, [optional] I pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people, whose democratic beliefs I share, whose rights and liberties I respect, and whose laws I will uphold and obey'. The Pledge is recited by every new citizen at their ceremony, with the words 'under God' optional. The Pledge is supported by the Australian Values Statement, signed by all visa applicants since 2007, which lists similar values.
The values appear in everyday Australian institutions in many specific ways. Democratic beliefs underpin compulsory voting, preferential elections, and the independence of the Australian Electoral Commission. Respect for rights and liberties is supported by federal and state anti-discrimination laws and by the implied constitutional freedom of political communication. The rule of law is supported by an independent judiciary and the principle that everyone is equal before the law. Equality of opportunity is supported by public education, Medicare, and the welfare system. The fair go is invoked across politics, sport, and workplaces. Freedom of speech, religion, and association is protected by a mix of constitutional, statutory, and common law protections.
Why this matters for your test
The Australian citizenship values are recited at every citizenship ceremony, and recognising the core set (democratic beliefs, respect for rights, rule of law, equality, fair go, freedoms) gives new citizens the framework for their commitment.
Source: Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond (2024)
