Freedom of association
5 min · 20 practice questions · values questions
As an Australian value, freedom of association means people are free to join or leave any legal group voluntarily, and cannot be forced to join or to leave one. Australians can gather freely with others, including to protest against a government action. All protests must be within the law, must be peaceful, and must not injure any person or damage property.
This topic is also part of Part 2, Democratic beliefs and rights. The test can ask about it from either angle.
What Our Common Bond says
- People are free to join, and to leave, any legal group voluntarily.
- Individuals cannot be compelled to join an organisation or forced to leave one.
- Australians can gather freely with others, including to protest against a government action.
- All protests must be within the law and peaceful, and must not injure any person or damage property.
Common mistakes
- Thinking a person can be made to join, or made to stay in, a group.
- Assuming freedom of association covers groups that break the law — it applies to legal groups.
- Believing a protest has no limits — it must be lawful, peaceful, and cause no harm to people or property.
Test yourself
One question at a time: pick an answer, then check it. Everything here comes from Our Common Bond, Part 4, page 37 (official booklet ↗).
Question 1 of 20Values question
Checked against Our Common Bond (0.3.1). Last reviewed September 2026. How questions are checked