Study topic
How the Australian government works
Australia has three levels of government — federal, state or territory, and local — as well as a constitutional monarchy and a bicameral federal parliament. These topics are a regular source of citizenship test questions.
Key facts to remember
- ◆ 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.