Privileges of citizens
Citizenship brings privileges, including the right to vote, to apply for an Australian passport, to seek election to parliament and to apply for jobs in the Australian Public Service or Defence Force. The test can ask which of these only citizens can do.
What to remember
- Vote; apply for children born overseas to be citizens by descent.
- Apply for jobs in the Australian Public Service or the Australian Defence Force.
- Seek election to parliament (18+, and not a dual citizen).
- Get an Australian passport and re-enter freely; ask for consular help overseas.
Sample questions
Who can seek election to parliament?Show answer
- Any permanent resident
- Australian citizens aged 18 or over who are not dual citizens
- Any Australian citizen, including dual citizens
Australian citizens aged 18 or over who are not dual citizens. Australian citizens aged 18 years or over who are not dual citizens can seek election to parliament at the federal, state or territory level.
Which of these is a privilege of Australian citizenship?Show answer
- Serving on a jury
- Obeying the law
- Applying for a job in the Australian Public Service
Applying for a job in the Australian Public Service. A privilege of citizenship is to apply for a job in the Australian Public Service, for example at Services Australia or the ATO, or in the Australian Defence Force.
How can an Australian citizen's child who is born overseas become an Australian citizen?Show answer
- The parent can apply for the child to become a citizen by descent
- The child becomes a citizen automatically at 18
- It is not possible
The parent can apply for the child to become a citizen by descent. Australian citizens can apply for their child born overseas to become an Australian citizen by descent.
Source: Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, pp. 20, 22. Read the full booklet on the Home Affairs website.