Is the Australian Citizenship Test Only in English? Help on Test Day
Yes, the Australian citizenship test is in English only. What English level you need, listening to questions, interpreters, and the 90-minute Assisted Test.
Yes. The Australian citizenship test is only in English. You can't sit it in another language, even though the study booklet is translated. What you can get is practical help: a Test Facilitator can read the questions aloud or give you headphones to listen, and some people can sit a longer, 90-minute Assisted Test.
This post explains what English level the test expects, what is and isn't available in other languages, what the interpreter rules are, and who qualifies for the Assisted Test. Everything here comes from Department of Home Affairs pages, mainly Learn about the citizenship test and Prepare for the citizenship test.
Is the Australian citizenship test only in English?
Yes. Home Affairs' preparation page says it in one line:
"The test is conducted in English only."
The same sentence appears in the general eligibility citizenship application form, Form 1300t. The testable section of Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond (2020 edition) describes the test as "a computer-based, multiple choice test in English."
The booklet is translated, the test is not
Our Common Bond is translated: the Our Common Bond page says it "is available in 40 community languages." But that page also repeats that the test itself is in English only. The page says the translations are there to help you prepare for the test. On the day, the questions and answers are in English.
What's in English, what's translated, and what help you can get
| In English only | Available in other languages | Help or accommodations | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The test questions and answers | Yes | No | A Test Facilitator can read questions aloud, give you headphones, use the computer for you, or select answers you say out loud |
| Our Common Bond booklet | Also in English | Yes, 40 community languages | Not applicable |
| Form 1300t (the application) | You complete it in English | Not stated by Home Affairs | Question 16 asks if you need help with the test |
| The Assisted Test | Same test language (English) | No | 90 minutes instead of 45, if you're eligible |
| Citizenship interview (for people who don't sit the test) | Not stated | Not stated | Home Affairs can arrange an interpreter at your appointment |
The application form says to "Either type (in English) in the fields provided or print this form and complete it (in English)". That's from the instructions in Form 1300t.
What English level do you need for the Australian citizenship test?
Home Affairs says passing the test will show you have "a basic knowledge of the English language," along with knowledge of Australia, citizenship and Australian values. That's from the citizenship test page. The information video on the same page says the test "will assess your English language skills and what you know about Australia and Australian citizenship."
The Home Affairs pages we checked don't describe a separate English exam for citizenship. The video says the test itself will assess your English language skills, and its 20 multiple-choice questions are in English. Those pages also don't give an English score, band or level (for example, an IELTS-style score) for the citizenship test. "A basic knowledge of the English language" is the wording they use.
For how the 20 questions are scored, including the rule that you need all 5 Australian values questions right, see our post on the Australian citizenship test pass mark.
Can you listen to the questions? (text-to-speech and audio)
Yes. The current citizenship test page lists what a Test Facilitator can do to support you during the test:
- Show you how to use the computer or tablet.
- Use the computer or tablet for you.
- Give you headphones to listen to the questions.
- Read the test questions aloud.
- Select your answers if you respond verbally.
Home Affairs uses the term text-to-speech in two study resources: the introduction to the testable section of Our Common Bond (copyright 2020), and the transcript of episode 1 of the official podcast (page last updated 25 September 2026). Both say:
"Text-to-speech technology, which you can use to listen to the questions and choice of answers, is also available."
The current test page, which sets out support on test day, describes this kind of help in the five points above, without using the term text-to-speech.
Can you bring an interpreter to the citizenship test?
Home Affairs' test page says:
"You must sit the test on your own. You cannot bring anyone with you to help you during the test."
The test rules on that page also say not to talk to other people, other than the Test Facilitator, during the test. The test pages don't mention interpreters for the test.
Interpreters come up on the citizenship interview page. That page is for people who don't sit the test, such as applicants aged 60 or over, or people with a hearing, speech or sight impairment. For those appointments, Home Affairs says: "If you need an interpreter we can arrange this at your appointment."
So on these pages, interpreters are mentioned only for interview appointments, not for the test. The full list of who doesn't sit the test is on the citizenship test page.
What is the Assisted Citizenship Test?
The Assisted Test is the same citizenship test with more time. Home Affairs says: "If you sit an Assisted Test, you will have 90 minutes instead of the standard 45 minutes."
Who can sit the Assisted Test?
According to the citizenship test page, Home Affairs may offer you an Assisted Test if you asked for it in your application, and one of these applies to you:
- You have "completed at least 400 hours of English language tuition under the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)", or
- You have a permanent or temporary physical or cognitive impairment that stops you from sitting the Standard Test, even with support from the Test Facilitator.
Note the word "may": Home Affairs decides. The AMEP section of the page also says you may be eligible "if you have low literacy skills" and have completed at least 400 hours.
The AMEP route: 400 hours of English classes
The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) is "a free service to help eligible migrants and humanitarian entrants improve their English language skills and settle into Australia." Home Affairs gives this guide to how long 400 hours may take:
| AMEP learning option | Typical hours per week | Approximate time to complete 400 hours |
|---|---|---|
| Full time | 15 to 20 hours | 6 to 9 months |
| Part-time | Up to 15 hours | More than 1 year, depending on intensity |
You don't have to prove your hours yourself. Home Affairs says: "You do not need to contact your AMEP provider to confirm how many hours you have completed." It verifies your AMEP participation after you apply.
The impairment route: evidence from a health practitioner
If you're asking for an Assisted Test because of a physical or cognitive impairment, Home Affairs needs evidence from your registered health practitioner. That evidence goes on the Assisted Test and Additional Accommodations Request Form, which your practitioner completes. If you apply online, you attach it in ImmiAccount as soon as possible after you submit your application.
The form and the test page give examples, "provided as a guide only", across four groups:
- neurodivergence or developmental conditions (for example ADHD, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, dyslexia)
- mental health conditions (for example anxiety, depression, OCD)
- neurological or physical conditions (for example cerebral palsy, epilepsy, stroke)
- learning difficulties
The form also says evidence from non-regulated or alternative practitioners is not accepted.
Additional accommodations (impairment route only)
If you're eligible for an Assisted Test because of an impairment, Home Affairs may also provide additional accommodations. It does this only if you request them in your application, provide evidence from your registered health practitioner, and the Department approves the request. Examples listed on the test page:
- sitting the test in a quiet room
- a paper print-out of the test with a different background or text colour
- extra test attempts
- a rest break between test attempts
How to ask for help with the citizenship test
- Answer Question 16 on your application. Form 1300t asks "Do you need help with the Citizenship test?" and says to give details there if you need an Assisted Test.
- If it's for an impairment, attach the request form. Your registered health practitioner completes the Assisted Test and Additional Accommodations Request Form. You can use the same form to ask for additional accommodations.
- If it's for AMEP hours, you don't need paperwork from your provider. Home Affairs checks your AMEP participation itself.
- On the day, the Test Facilitator can help. The support listed earlier (headphones, reading the questions aloud, selecting answers you say out loud) is described under support during the test, separately from the Assisted Test.
How to prepare if English is your second language
Home Affairs lists these free resources on its preparation page:
- the Our Common Bond booklet, in English and community languages (all test questions are based on it)
- the Our Common Bond podcast
- the official citizenship practice test, which it says is "designed to look and feel like the official test"
- the AMEPOnline citizenship modules, which help English language learners engage with the booklet through characters, storylines and interactive activities
Home Affairs also suggests enrolling in the general AMEP program if you want to improve your English to help you prepare.
A practical approach is to read a translated copy of Our Common Bond to understand a topic, then read the same section in English. The test uses the English wording, so that's the version you need to recognise.
Practising with our app
Home Affairs says it "does not endorse or recommend any external courses that claim to help you prepare for the citizenship test, including paid external apps." That includes ours, so start with the free official resources above.
If you'd like extra practice reading test-style questions in English, our free Australian citizenship mock exams are marked with both pass rules (15/20 and 5/5 values). There's a second free mock exam too. The AU Citizenship Test: Values app has 630+ questions written from Our Common Bond and mapped to its four testable parts, a Values Drill, and 40 timed mock exams.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Australian citizenship test only in English?
Yes. Home Affairs says "The test is conducted in English only."
Can I take the citizenship test in my language?
No. The Our Common Bond booklet is available in 40 community languages for study, but the test itself is only in English.
Can I have an interpreter for the citizenship test in Australia?
Home Affairs' test page doesn't offer one. It says you must sit the test on your own and can't bring anyone to help. Interpreters are mentioned for citizenship interview appointments, which are for people who don't sit the test.
Does the citizenship test have text-to-speech?
Yes, you can listen to the questions. The 2020 edition of Our Common Bond and the episode 1 podcast transcript say text-to-speech is available, and the current test page says a Test Facilitator can give you headphones or read the questions aloud.
What English level do I need for the Australian citizenship test?
A basic knowledge of English. Home Affairs doesn't publish a score or level beyond that wording. Its information video says the test will assess your English language skills.
What is the Assisted Citizenship Test?
It's the citizenship test with 90 minutes instead of 45. Home Affairs may offer it if you asked in your application and you've done at least 400 hours of AMEP English classes or have an impairment that stops you sitting the Standard Test.
Do I need to prove my 400 AMEP hours?
No. Home Affairs says you don't need to contact your AMEP provider, and it verifies your AMEP participation after you apply.
Does the citizenship test cost more if I need help?
Home Affairs says there is no extra cost to sit the citizenship test, because your application fee includes it. It doesn't list a separate fee for the Assisted Test.
Sources
- Department of Home Affairs, Learn about the citizenship test: what the test shows (basic English), video transcript on assessing English, Test Facilitator support, sitting the test on your own, Assisted Test eligibility, 90 minutes, 400 AMEP hours and the hours table, impairment examples, additional accommodations, test rules, no extra cost.
- Department of Home Affairs, Prepare for the citizenship test: English only, Our Common Bond in community languages, podcast, practice test, AMEPOnline modules, AMEP suggestion, statement on paid apps.
- Department of Home Affairs, Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond: 40 community languages, English only.
- Department of Home Affairs, Our Common Bond, testable section (PDF) (copyright 2020): "a computer-based, multiple choice test in English", text-to-speech.
- Department of Home Affairs, Our Common Bond podcast, Transcript of Episode 1 (last updated 25 September 2026): text-to-speech wording.
- Department of Home Affairs, Form 1300t, Application for Australian citizenship: General eligibility (PDF): English only, complete the form in English, Help with the test, Question 16.
- Department of Home Affairs, Assisted Test and Additional Accommodations Request Form (PDF): who completes it, evidence rules, accommodations.
- Department of Home Affairs, Learn about the citizenship interview: interpreters at interview appointments.
- Department of Home Affairs, About the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP): what the AMEP is.
All quotations were checked against these pages in October 2026.
Practise for the English Test
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AU Citizenship Test: Values
Australian citizenship test practice: 630+ questions, values drill, mock exams