Australian Citizenship Quiz
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Australian values based on freedom, respect and equality

Helping to Keep Australian Society Safe

Short answer

People in Australia are expected to help keep society safe by reporting serious crime and child abuse to appropriate authorities and by recognising harmful conduct such as cyber abuse.

Last reviewed 2026-06-19

Serious crime

When a person reasonably suspects a serious crime is being planned, the responsible action is to report it to appropriate authorities. Public safety depends on people not ignoring serious risks.

Protecting children

Child abuse is serious harm. A person who knows a child is being abused should report the concern to police or other appropriate authorities rather than trying to deal with it privately.

Safety online

Cyber abuse can include using digital tools to threaten, harass, humiliate or harm another person. Online conduct has real effects and is not outside the law simply because it happens on a screen.

Key facts

  • Serious suspected crime should be reported to appropriate authorities.
  • Child abuse must not be ignored.
  • Cyber abuse can harm people and may be unlawful.
  • Community safety is a shared responsibility.

Common mistakes

  • Trying to investigate a serious crime personally instead of reporting it.
  • Treating online harassment as less serious than offline harm.
  • Assuming family or community pressure excuses abuse.

Important vocabulary

authority
An organisation or official with legal responsibility to act.
Example: Police are an authority that can respond to reports of crime.
cyber abuse
Harmful behaviour using digital communication or online systems.
Example: Threatening someone online can be cyber abuse.
report
To tell an appropriate authority about a serious concern.
Example: A person should report child abuse.

Practice questions

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Practice by topic
Question 1
A person suspects a neighbour is planning a serious crime. What should they do?
Mutual Respect and Tolerance Mutual respect and tolerance mean treating other people with dignity, allowing peaceful disagreement and rejecting racism, abuse and violence. People must also comply with lawful requests from police. Community Contribution and Mateship Australian values encourage people to contribute to their community, support themselves and their families when able, volunteer where they can and show compassion for people in need. Mateship describes mutual support and practical help. The Rule of Law in Australia The rule of law means that everyone in Australia must follow the law. No person, group or government is above the law, and laws should be applied fairly.

Official sources