Freedom of association
7 min · 26 practice questions
Freedom of association is the right to form or join associations to pursue common goals — a political party, a trade union, a religious, cultural or social group — provided the organisation is legal. People are also free not to join. Australians can gather with others to protest against a government action or an organisation, but the gathering must not injure any person or damage property.
This topic is also part of Part 4, Australian values. The test can ask about it from either angle.
What Our Common Bond says
- Freedom of association is the right to form and to join legal associations to pursue common goals.
- Examples of legal organisations people may join include political parties, trade unions, and religious, cultural and social groups.
- People can also decide not to join an association.
- Australians can gather to protest against a government action or an organisation.
- Protest gatherings must not injure any person or damage property.
Common mistakes
- Thinking people can be forced to join, or forced to stay in, an organisation.
- Assuming freedom of association covers illegal organisations — it applies only to legal ones.
- Believing a protest has no limits — it must not harm people or property.
Test yourself
One question at a time: pick an answer, then check it. Everything here comes from Our Common Bond, Part 2, page 21 (official booklet ↗).
Question 1 of 26
Checked against Our Common Bond (0.3.1). Last reviewed September 2026. How questions are checked