Australian citizenship test: Values: respect and safety practice questions

Violence at home is a crime. The age of sexual consent is 16 or 17, depending on the state or territory.

Question 1

The age of sexual consent in Australia is

  1. 14 in every state and territory
  2. 21 in every state and territory
  3. 16 or 17, depending on the state or territory

Answer: 16 or 17, depending on the state or territory

The resource says the age of sexual consent is 16 or 17 depending on the state or territory, and that sexual relations with a person aged 15 are against the law in all of them. Fourteen and 21 are not the ages it gives.

Question 2

Violence towards a spouse or partner is

  1. a private matter when the two people are married
  2. unlawful only if it happens in a public place
  3. a criminal offence, including when it happens at home

Answer: a criminal offence, including when it happens at home

Physical violence against a spouse or partner is never acceptable and is a criminal offence. Domestic and family violence, including violence inside the home and inside a marriage, is against the law.

Question 3

Racially abusive comments at a sporting event

  1. are protected in every case by freedom of speech
  2. are allowed when the speaker is an Australian citizen
  3. have no place in Australia and can be reported

Answer: have no place in Australia and can be reported

Racism has no place in Australia, including racially abusive comments at a sporting event or in public. Freedom of speech does not licence that abuse. Complaints can be made to the police and to the Australian Human Rights Commission.