The monarch

What is a monarch?

His Majesty King Charles III

Millie Pilkington 2024

His Majesty King Charles III

Millie Pilkington 2024

Description

Australia's head of state, the King of Australia, His Majesty King Charles III.

Copyright information

The official Australian portraits of His Majesty King Charles III has been provided to the Australian Government by Buckingham Palace. See Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website for information about use.

A monarch is a head of state – the formal leader of a country – who has inherited their position, such as a king or queen. Australia's head of state is the King of Australia, His Majesty King Charles III. When the monarch dies or steps down from the role, their oldest child will become the next monarch.

Role and powers

Australia is a constitutional monarchy – this means that the King is the head of state but has power defined and limited by the Australian Constitution. Section 1 of the Constitution says the Australian Parliament is made up of the King (represented by the Governor-General), the Senate and the House of Representatives. However, the King does not have a role in the day-to-day running of Australia.

The King appoints the Governor-General, who is his representative in Australia. By convention – tradition – the King appoints the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime Minister. Although the Governor-General represents the monarch, they do not need to consult with the King on matters like giving Royal Assent – signing a bill into law.

The King does not have the power to make laws. Section 59 of the Constitution gives the King the power to disallow – cancel – a law within one year of the Governor-General giving it Royal Assent. No monarch has ever used this power in Australia.

Why does Australia have a monarch?

Six British colonies were established in Australia from 1788. The system of government established in Australia was based on the Westminster system where the monarch is the head of state. These colonies united under the Constitution to become the nation of Australia on 1 January 1901.

As the role of the monarch is in the Australian Constitution, any change to their role would require a referendum – a vote by the Australian public to change the Constitution. In 1999 a referendum was held which asked if Australians wanted to become a republic, with a president rather than the monarch as head of state. This referendum did not pass.