Cheat sheet
Government and the law in Australia
How the three levels of government work, the Australian Constitution, elections and the justice system.
The facts to remember, in one place. Drill them with mock exams and spaced repetition in Australian Citizenship Test.
Download on theApp StoreHow the Australian government works
- ◆ The federal Parliament has two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives.
- ◆ Members of the House of Representatives are elected from electorates across Australia, with over 150 members in total.
- ◆ The Prime Minister is the leader of the government and the leader of the party with majority support.
- ◆ Australia is a constitutional monarchy; the King of Australia is represented by the Governor-General.
- ◆ The Australian Constitution, which came into effect on 1 January 1901, sets out the rules for government.
The rule of law in Australia
- ◆ Everyone must obey the law, including the government.
- ◆ All people are equal before the law and entitled to its protection.
- ◆ Laws are made openly by elected representatives in parliament.
- ◆ The courts are independent and apply the law fairly.
The Parliament and how laws are made
- ◆ The House of Representatives has over 150 members elected from electorates.
- ◆ The Senate has 76 senators, with 12 from each state and 2 from each territory.
- ◆ A bill must be passed by both houses to become a law.
- ◆ After both houses agree, the Governor-General gives Royal Assent.
The Prime Minister and the Cabinet
- ◆ The Prime Minister is the leader of the federal government.
- ◆ The Prime Minister is the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the House of Representatives.
- ◆ Ministers are responsible for government departments and areas of policy.
- ◆ The Cabinet is made up of senior ministers who decide major government policy.
The courts and the justice system
- ◆ Courts are independent of the government and parliament.
- ◆ The High Court of Australia is the highest court and interprets the Constitution.
- ◆ Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
- ◆ People are entitled to a fair trial and to be treated equally under the law.
Voting and elections in Australia
- ◆ Voting is compulsory for citizens aged 18 and over in federal and state elections and referendums.
- ◆ Australians vote using a secret ballot, so no one need reveal how they voted.
- ◆ Not voting without a valid reason can result in a fine.
- ◆ The Australian Electoral Commission runs federal elections independently.
The Australian Constitution and referendums
- ◆ The Constitution came into effect on 1 January 1901.
- ◆ It sets out the powers of the federal Parliament and the states.
- ◆ It can only be changed by a referendum, not by parliament alone.
- ◆ A referendum needs a "double majority": a national majority and a majority in most states.
The King and the Governor-General
- ◆ Australia is a constitutional monarchy.
- ◆ The King of Australia is the head of state.
- ◆ The Governor-General represents the King at the national level.
- ◆ State governors represent the King in each state.
The separation of powers in Australia
- ◆ Parliament makes and changes the laws (legislative power).
- ◆ The executive — ministers and government departments — puts laws into action.
- ◆ The courts (the judiciary) interpret and apply the law independently.
- ◆ Separating these roles helps prevent any one body from holding all power.
Political parties and elections
- ◆ Political parties are groups with shared ideas who seek to be elected.
- ◆ The party or coalition with majority support in the House of Representatives forms government.
- ◆ The largest party not in government becomes the Opposition.
- ◆ Candidates can also stand as independents, not belonging to any party.
The Australian Electoral Commission
- ◆ The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) runs federal elections.
- ◆ The AEC is independent of government and political parties.
- ◆ It maintains the electoral roll of enrolled voters.
- ◆ Independent administration helps keep elections free and fair.