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Our freedoms · 1 min read

Freedom of religion

Australia has a Judaeo-Christian heritage, and many Australians describe themselves as Christians, but there are people in Australia from all the large religions. Australia has public holidays on Christian days such as Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas Day.

The government and the law treat all citizens equally, whatever their religion or beliefs. The government in Australia is secular, which means it operates separately from churches or other religious entities. Australia has no official national religion. People in Australia are free to follow any religion they choose. They may also not choose to follow a religion.

At all times, even while engaging in religious practices, the laws of Australia must be obeyed. Where there is a conflict between an Australian law and a religious practice, Australian law prevails.

Test yourself on this topic

7 questions on this topic, each with the answer explained.

  1. 1. Does Australia have an official national religion?

    • No, Australia has no official national religion
    • Yes, Christianity is the official national religion
    • Yes, but only for official state ceremonies
    • Yes, each state chooses its own official religion

    Explanation: No religion holds official status in Australia.

  2. 2. How do the government and the law treat citizens of different religions?

    • Equally, whatever their religion or beliefs
    • More favourably if they follow a Christian faith
    • Equally, but only if they attend a place of worship
    • Differently, depending on the size of their religion

    Explanation: Religion makes no difference to how the government and the law treat a citizen.

  3. 3. If an Australian law and a religious practice conflict, which one prevails?

    • Whichever the person's community prefers
    • The religious practice prevails
    • Australian law prevails
    • Neither one, until a religious leader decides

    Explanation: Religious practice must give way to Australian law when the two clash.

  4. 4. May a person in Australia choose to follow no religion at all?

    • Yes, a person may choose not to follow a religion
    • No, but they may leave a religion after ten years
    • No, every person must register a religion
    • Yes, but only if they were born in Australia

    Explanation: People are free to follow any religion, and equally free to follow none.

  5. 5. What does it mean that the government in Australia is secular?

    • It bans all religious services from being held in public places
    • It chooses one official religion to advise it on all new laws
    • It operates separately from churches and other religious entities
    • It requires all public servants to have no religious beliefs

    Explanation: A secular government runs separately from religious bodies; it does not control them and they do not control it.

  6. 6. What religious heritage does Australia have?

    • An Islamic heritage
    • A Buddhist heritage
    • A Judaeo-Christian heritage
    • A Confucian heritage

    Explanation: Australia's heritage is Judaeo-Christian, though people from all the large religions live there.

  7. 7. Which TWO of these are public holidays in Australia on Christian days?

    • Good Friday
    • Ramadan
    • Diwali
    • Christmas Day

    Explanation: Good Friday and Christmas Day are Christian days that are public holidays in Australia, along with Easter Sunday.

From Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, the official booklet