Responsibilities of citizens
Citizens take on four responsibilities: obey the law, vote in elections and referendums, defend Australia should the need arise, and serve on a jury if called. Remember that voting is compulsory from 18, while Defence Force service is voluntary.
What to remember
- Obey the laws of Australia.
- Vote in federal and state/territory elections and in referendums (compulsory from age 18).
- Defend Australia should the need arise (Defence Force service itself is voluntary).
- Serve on a jury if called.
Sample questions
Which of these is a responsibility of Australian citizens?Show answer
- Voting in federal and state or territory elections, and in a referendum
- Joining a political party
- Applying for an Australian passport
Voting in federal and state or territory elections, and in a referendum. Citizens' responsibilities are: obey the laws of Australia; vote in federal and state or territory elections and referendums; defend Australia should the need arise; and serve on a jury if called.
Which of these duties comes with Australian citizenship?Show answer
- Serving on a jury if called to do so
- Seeking election to parliament
- Asking for consular assistance overseas
Serving on a jury if called to do so. Serving on a jury if called is a responsibility for Australian citizens aged 18 or over. Jury service helps ensure the court system is open and fair.
Which of these is one of the responsibilities of being an Australian citizen?Show answer
- Defending Australia should the need arise
- Applying for children born overseas to become citizens by descent
- Applying for a job in the Australian Public Service
Defending Australia should the need arise. Service in the Australian Defence Force is voluntary, but a responsibility of citizens is to defend Australia should the need arise.
Source: Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, pp. 20–21. Read the full booklet on the Home Affairs website.