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Detail
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Leader of the Opposition
Get to know the role of the Leader of the Opposition with this fact sheet. Learn how the Leader of the Opposition is chosen and their responsibilities.
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Ministers and shadow ministers
This fact sheet investigates the work of ministers (members of the Australian Government with special responsibilities) and shadow ministers (members of the opposition who closely examine the work of the government).
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Clerks
The Clerks are parliamentary officers in the Senate and House of Representatives. Learn about their role and the history of their positions with this fact sheet.
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Political parties
Many political parties have members elected to the Australian Parliament. In this fact sheet, learn more about how they are organised, coalitions of parties, party meetings and the history of political parties in Australia.
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The Australian Constitution audio
Listen to the complete text of the Australian Constitution.
The full written text of the Australian Constitution can be read on The Australian Constitution online website.
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The Australian Constitution in focus
The Australian Constitution is the legal framework for how Australia is governed. This paper explores in detail the history of the Constitution, its key features and the High Court’s role in interpreting it.
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Federal Parliament history timeline
Explore the history of Australia’s Parliament with this easy-to-use timeline. Investigate the milestones to find out how the work of the Parliament has influenced the development of Australia since Federation.
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Parliament, Executive and Judiciary
Explore how the power to make and manage law is shared in Australia with this interactive. It can be used in the classroom to illustrate the separation of powers.
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Federal, state and local
Do you know what each level of government is responsible for? Test your knowledge of the three levels of government in Australia with this game. Use in the classroom or just for fun.
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Three levels of government: governing Australia
In Australia the three levels of government work together to provide us with the services we need. This in-depth paper explores the roles and responsibilities of each level, how they raise money and how they work together. Case studies show how the powers of the Australian Parliament have expanded.
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Preparing for a new Parliament
The process of opening a new parliament has many stages. Investigate the process of closing a parliament, the transition between parliaments and the opening of a new parliament in Australia with this fact sheet.
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Session Notes
The Session Notes teacher newsletter features news from the Parliamentary Education Office. Find out about new resources and programs, and how the PEO can help you teach about the Australian Parliament.
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Pass the bill
This interactive details each step of the law-making process in the Australian Parliament. Users follow the progress of a bill to lower the voting age to 16 through the Australian Parliament. Perfect for use in the classroom.
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Amendments
Amendments are a change to a bill – a proposed law. They are an important part of the law-making process of the Australian Parliament. This fact sheet outlines the amendment process.
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Types of law
This fact sheet introduces the different types of law that govern Australia – statute law made by parliament, delegated law made by government and common law made by courts.
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Voting in Parliament
Two types of voting are used in the Australian Parliament to make decisions on proposed laws and other issues—a 'vote on the voices' and a 'division'. This fact sheet explores both types of votes and what happens when a vote is tied.
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Getting involved in Parliament
This fact sheet explores ways Australians can get involved in the Australian Parliament. It includes information on contacting members of parliament, the work of committees, protesting and observing the Parliament.
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Federal elections
This fact sheet explores how federal elections are run to select people to represent Australians in the Australian Parliament. It includes information about the process of electing senators and members of the House of Representatives.
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The Federation of Australia
Australia's Federation came about through a process of deliberation, consultation and debate. This in-depth paper explores the reasons for Federation, the Federation conventions and the referendums in which the Australian people decided to join together as a nation.
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National symbols
This fact sheet explains Australia's key national symbols, including the Coat of Arms, our flags, the national anthem, the floral emblem and our national colours. It explains the history and significance of each symbol.
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Australia's Parliament House
This in-depth look at Australia's Parliament House investigates why Canberra was chosen to be the nation's capital and why we needed a 'new' Parliament House. It includes the design, site and symbolism of the building.
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Prepare for your program
Getting ready to participate in a PEO program? Here are some ideas and a sensory story to help your students get the most out of their program at Parliament House.
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Chatterboxes
These fun to make chatterboxes feature questions and answers about parliamentary processes and the history of our Parliament. Quiz your students or challenge them to write their own questions using the templates.
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The Australian Constitution online
Browse the full text of the Australian Constitution with this easy-to-use subsite. It includes a detailed overview by the Australian Government Solicitor.
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To our last shilling: the Australian Parliament and World War I
Discover Australia’s experience of the First World War from the perspective of the Australian Parliament. From fixing the price of food to interning ‘enemy aliens’, the decisions made by the Parliament during the War affected the lives of everyday Australians.
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Self-paced online learning
Want to deliver informative and engaging parliamentary civics and citizenship education to students from Years 3 to 10? Learn online at your own pace with these civics and citizenship teaching modules.
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Four key ideas of Australian democracy
This graphic illustrates the 4 supporting ideas of Australian democracy.
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The usual path of a bill
This graphic illustrates the usual path of a bill through the Australian Parliament to become Australian law.
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Parliament of Australia
This graphic illustrates the composition of the Australian Parliament.
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People in Parliament
This graphic shows some positions in the Australian Parliament and how they relate to each other.
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How to form a political party
This graphic shows the steps required to form a political party in Australia.
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The role of the Senate
This graphic illustrates the role of the Australian Senate.
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The role of the House of Representatives
This graphic illustrates the role of the House of Representatives.
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From policy to law
This graphic illustrates the role of the executive government in turning policy into law.
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Rights in Australia
This paper investigates the framework of rights in Australia. It defines the different types of rights, including human rights, and looks at the many sources for our rights and how they are protected.
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Our commitment to child safety
The Parliamentary Education Office is committed to providing a safe and respectful environment for young people and children. Find out how we are doing this and how you can report a complaint.
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Senate
This fact sheet explores the Senate, which is part of the Australian Parliament. It includes information about the role, appearance and origins of the Senate.
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Mace
The Mace is the symbol of the House of the Representatives. This fact sheet includes information about its function, design and history.
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Members of the House of Representatives
Discover the work of members of the House of Representatives in this fact sheet. It explores their role in the Australian Parliament and in their local community, their working hours and period of service.
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Hansard
The official written record of what is said in the Australian Parliament is called Hansard. This fact sheet explores the role of Hansard, why and how it is produced and its history.
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Frontbenchers and backbenchers
This fact sheet investigates the work of frontbenchers (members of parliament who sit on the front seats of either the Senate or House of Representatives) and backbenchers (members of parliament who sit in the rows of seats behind the frontbench).
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Standing orders
Standing orders are the rules used to manage the work of the Senate and the House of Representatives. This fact sheet explains how the standing orders are used in the parliament and how they can be changed.
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Independents
An independent is a member of the Australian Parliament who does not belong to a political party. This fact sheet explores their role and how they can vote in the Parliament.
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Budget
This fact sheet explores the Australian Government’s annual statement of how it plans to collect and spend money.
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Parliament House
This fact sheet explores the building where the Australian Parliament meets. Discover key facts about the building and the symbolism of its design.
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Governor-General
The Governor-General has an important role in the governing of Australia. This fact sheet looks at the constitutional, ceremonial and civic roles of the Governor-General.
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Opposition
Discover the opposition – the largest party or coalition of parties not in government – with this fact sheet. The opposition is sometimes called the ‘alternative government’ and has an important role closely examining the work of the government.
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Petitions
Petitions ask the Australian Parliament to act on an issue. This fact sheet explains the rules petitions must follow and how petitions are presented to the Parliament.
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Crossing the floor
If a member of a parliamentary party votes against their party it is called ‘crossing the floor’. This fact sheet explores how and when this happens and the possible outcomes of crossing the floor.
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Delegated law
Delegated law gives government ministers and others the power to make decisions about the details of laws passed by the Australian Parliament. This fact sheet explains how regulations and other types of delegated law are made and overruled.
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Serjeant-at-Arms
The Serjeant-at-Arms is a parliamentary officer in the House of Representatives. This fact sheet explores their role and the history of the position.
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Referendums and plebiscites
A referendum is a vote of the Australian people on a proposed change to the Australian Constitution, while a plebiscite is a vote on an issue that does not affect the Constitution. This fact sheet explores the process of referendums and plebiscites in Australia.
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Cabinet
Cabinet is the top decision-making group within the Australian Government. Find out more about who is in Cabinet and how it works with this fact sheet.
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Law-making
This fact sheet explains the law-making process in the Australian Parliament. It also describes where ideas for laws come from and the history of law-making in the Parliament.
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Question Time
This fact sheet explores Question Time, the time when the Australian Parliament examines the work of the government by asking them questions. It happens each sitting day in the Senate and the House of Representatives.
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Prime Minister
Understand the role of the Prime Minister with this fact sheet, including how the Prime Minister is chosen and their responsibilities.
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Committees
Parliamentary committees investigate issues and proposed laws in detail. This fact sheet explains the role of committees, how they work and the types of committees in the Australian Parliament.
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Federation
In 1901, 6 British colonies united to become a new nation – the Commonwealth of Australia. This fact sheet examines the reasons for Federation, the path to Federation, the creation of the territories and the opening of the Australian Parliament.
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Government
This fact sheet explores the responsibilities of the Australian Government, how it is formed, minority government and the principle of responsible government.
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Democracy
This fact sheet introduces the idea of democracy and explores the key ideas which support Australia’s democratic system of government.
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Separation of powers: Parliament, Executive and Judiciary
The separation of powers distributes the power to govern between the Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary. This fact sheet examines the powers of each group and the related principle of responsible government.
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The responsibilities of the three levels of government
This fact sheet introduces the three levels of government in Australia and lists some of the responsibilities of each level.
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Double dissolution
A double dissolution occurs when both the Senate and the House of Representatives are shut down so a federal election can take place. This fact sheet explores how double dissolutions are used in the Australian Parliament and joint sittings.
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House of Representatives
This fact sheet explores the House of Representatives, which is part of the Australian Parliament. It includes information about the role, appearance and origins of the House of Representatives.
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Press gallery
Understand the role of the press gallery and its relationship with members of parliament and the public with this fact sheet.
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Senate estimates
Several times a year senators investigate how the government is spending taxpayers' money in meetings called Senate estimates. This fact sheet examines the purpose, function and timing of Senate estimates.
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Australian system of government
This fact sheet examines Australia’s system of government. It includes information about representative democracy, constitutional monarchy, federation and the separation of powers.
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Speaker of the House of Representatives
Understand the role of the Speaker of the House of Representatives with this fact sheet. It includes information about how the Speaker is chosen, their role in the House and the history of the position.
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Australian Parliament
This fact sheet outlines the composition and role of the Australian Parliament.
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Australian Constitution
This fact sheet explores the Australian Constitution. It includes information about the key features of the Constitution and how it can be changed.
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Create political parties
Investigate how the party system operates in Australia, and how government is formed in Parliament with this classroom activity. Explore the concepts of parliamentary majority, hung parliament, minority government and the balance of power in the Senate.
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Run an election campaign
Experience a modern social media election campaign in your classroom with this classroom activity.
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Explore decision-making
Explore various forms of decision-making in your classroom with this activity. Investigate majority rule, executive, consensus, autocracy, and the power of veto.
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Hold a referendum
Investigate a potential change to the Constitution and then decide—as a nation—whether or not the change should be made.
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Create a new Federation
Explore why the authors of the Australian Constitution designed our Parliament to have both a House of Representatives—with representation based on population—and a Senate—with equal representation for the states. This activity invites students to think critically and creatively to write a new constitution.
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Explore the three levels of government
Explore the three levels of government—federal, state, and local—with this classroom activity. Investigate the responsibilities of each level by forming taskforces to respond to major events.
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Make a law: House of Representatives
Discover how bills – proposed laws – are introduced, debated and voted on in the House of Representatives by turning your class into a Parliament and doing it yourselves!
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Make speeches
Discover the different types of speeches senators and members make in Parliament by turning your class into a Parliament and doing it yourselves! Use these activities to further explore the work of the Parliament or to give context to oral presentations in any classroom.
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Run a parliamentary committee
Investigate the work of parliamentary committees in this classroom activity. Use this activity to further your study of civics and citizenship or as a framework for an inquiry study into any topic.
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Run Question Time
Discover how members of Parliament use Question Time to closely examine the work of the government in this classroom activity. Use this activity to further your study of civics and citizenship.
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Unpack democracy
What is democracy and how does it work in Australia? Explore questions around the key ideas of our democracy with these discussion-based activities.
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Create your own electorate
Consider how communities around our country are represented in the Australian Parliament.
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Learn to negotiate
In this classroom activity, based on the $2 game, students workshop a range of negotiation strategies. These strategies can be used to resolve differences at home, at school and in workplaces.
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Debate a Bill of Rights for Australia
Analyse arguments for and against having an Australian Bill of Rights, before debating the issue in a class parliament.
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Conduct a law reform inquiry
Investigate a law reform issue and present recommendations to a citizens’ jury.
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Negotiate a minority government
Role-play a high stakes parliamentary negotiation in order to learn how government is formed in Australia.
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Run a Cabinet meeting
Work together to negotiate the best policy outcome.
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Negotiate in National Cabinet
Role-play as the federal and state levels of government as they work together to manage issues and provide services for the whole of Australia.
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Interpret the Constitution
Discover how the High Court of Australia rules on constitutional disputes by role-playing the hypothetical case of Lee v Electoral Commissioner.
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Write a committee submission
Use this activity to prepare for the Run a parliamentary committee classroom activity or as a scaffold to get involved with a real parliamentary committee.
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Start a petition
Get involved and have your say by starting a petition. This activity can be used to help your students have their voices heard in their school, local community, or in Parliament.
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Year 3
After completing this Unit of work and associated assessment tasks, students will have met the achievement standard for the Year 3 Australian Civics and Citizenship Curriculum.
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Year 4
After completing this Unit of work and associated assessment tasks, students will have met the achievement standard for the Year 4 Australian Civics and Citizenship Curriculum.
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Year 5
After completing this Unit of work and associated assessment task, students will have met the achievement standard for the Year 5 Australian Civics and Citizenship Curriculum.
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Year 6
After completing this Unit of work and associated assessment task, students will have met the achievement standard for the Year 6 Australian Civics and Citizenship Curriculum.
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Year 8
After completing this Unit of work and associated assessment tasks, students will have met the achievement standard for the Year 8 Australian Civics and Citizenship Curriculum.
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Year 9
After completing this Unit of work and associated assessment tasks, students will have met the achievement standard for the Year 9 Australian Civics and Citizenship Curriculum.
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Year 10
After completing this Unit of work and associated assessment tasks, students will have met the achievement standard for the Year 10 Australian Civics and Citizenship Curriculum.
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The Senate
Discover the role and work of the Australian Senate with this introductory video.
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The House of Representatives
Discover the role and work of the Australian House of Representatives with this introductory video.
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The Constitution
This short video introduces the Australian Constitution—the rules by which Australia is run.
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Three levels of government
Get an introduction to the three levels of government with this short video. It explores the areas each level can make laws about.
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Role-play the Parliament: House of Representatives
This video demonstrates a House of Representatives parliamentary role-play, where students can learn how new laws are made in the Australian Parliament. It outlines lesson content and what preparation is required to use this immersive learning strategy in a classroom.
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Role-play the Parliament: Senate
This video demonstrates a Senate parliamentary role-play, where students can learn how new laws are made in the Australian Parliament. It outlines lesson content and what preparation is required to use this immersive learning strategy in a classroom.
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Role-play the Parliament: Committee
This video demonstrates a committee role-play, where students can learn how the Australian Parliament investigates bills and issues. It outlines lesson content and what preparation is required to use this immersive learning strategy in a classroom.
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Role-play the Parliament: the role-play in action
This video shows a snapshot of a parliamentary role-play in the Education Centre at Australia’s Parliament House.
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A new Parliament
There are many steps in the process of opening a new parliament. Find out the timings, traditions and requirements of establishing a new Australian Parliament with this in-depth video.
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Parliamentary committees
Explore how committees in the Australian Parliament are formed, their function and how they support the work of the Senate and House of Representatives with this explanatory video.
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Question Time in the Australian Parliament
In Question Time members of parliament ask the government to explain its actions and decisions. This video explores the purpose, function and format of Question Time in the Senate and House of Representatives.
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Get involved
Explore ways you can get involved in the work of Parliament with this in-depth video. Find out how you can get informed about the work of the Parliament, contact and vote for members of parliament, petition the Parliament and participate in parliamentary inquiries.
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One voice for many
This video explores representation. It can be used as a visual aid in discussing representation with students.
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Australia's Federation
Discover the story behind Federation in Australia with this introductory video.
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People in Parliament – Usher of the Black Rod
Meet the Usher of the Black Rod in this informative video. Learn about their role in the Senate and the department, the symbolism of the Black Rod and the history of the position.
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What is Parliament?
Discover the structure and key functions of the Australian Parliament with this short video. It introduces the Parliament’s roles of law-making, representing Australians, the formation of government and checking the work of the government.
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1967 referendum
In 1967 the majority of Australians voted to change the Australian Constitution to count Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the national census. This video from the ABC’s Behind the News explores how the 1967 referendum was part of a movement for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights.
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Preferential voting
When you vote for your local member of the House of Representatives you need to decide who you like the most, the second most and so on. Discover why preferences matter on election day with the ABC’s Behind the News.
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Levels of government
In a land called Australia, 3 superheroes fight for the people. Discover their powers and those of the three levels of government they are named after with this video. From the ABC’s Behind the News.
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Introducing ... the three levels of government
Begin your exploration of the three levels of government in Australia with this short introduction. Discover the responsibilities of the federal Parliament, state and territory parliaments and local government, and how they work together.
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Introducing ... the Australian Constitution
Begin your exploration of the Australian Constitution with this short introduction. Learn how the Constitution came into effect and what it takes to change it.
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Introducing ... Federation
Begin your exploration of Federation with this short introduction. Find out the arguments for Federation and the process that led to the creation of Australia.
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Introducing ... rules and laws
Begin your exploration of rules and laws with this short introduction. Find out the differences between rules and laws, and who needs to follow them.
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Introducing ... Australia's system of government
Begin your exploration of the features of Australia’s system of government with this short introduction. Discover how power is shared and managed between different groups in Australia.
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Year 7
After completing this Unit of work and associated assessment task, students will have met the achievement standard for the Year 7 Australian Civics and Citizenship Curriculum.
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Make a law: Senate
Discover how bills – proposed laws – are introduced, debated and voted on in the Senate by turning your class into a Parliament and doing it yourselves!
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Party Whip
The party whip is a member of parliament who has been chosen to be the party manager. This fact sheet will explain their role within their party and in the Senate and House of Representatives.
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Parliamentary statistics
Keep up-to-date with the current numbers and work of the Australian Parliament with these facts and figures.
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Despatch Boxes
This fact sheet explores the function, design and history of the Despatch Boxes that sit on the central table in the House of Representatives.
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Making a law
Get an introduction to the law-making process of the Australian Parliament with this short video. It includes all the law-making steps in the Senate and House of Representatives.
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Rule of law
The rule of law is a key feature of Australia’s democracy and legal system. This fact sheet explains the principle of the rule of law and its relationship to the separation of powers.
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President of the Senate
Learn about the Senate's Presiding Officer with this fact sheet. Explore how the President is chosen, their role in the Senate and in the department, their chair and the history of the position.
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Senators
Discover the work of senators in this fact sheet. It explores their role in the Australian Parliament and in the community, their working hours and period of service.
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Usher of the Black Rod
Understand the role of the Usher of the Black Rod with this fact sheet. It describes their duties in the Senate and in the department, and the history of the position.
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A short history of Parliament
Compared to some other parliaments around the world, Australia's Parliament is quite young but it is based on practices and ideals from much older parliaments. This in-depth paper explores the development of the Westminster system in Britain and parliamentary democracy in Australia.
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Parliament and the courts
This fact sheet outlines the relationship between the Australian Parliament and federal courts, including the separation of powers, sources of law and key High Court of Australia cases that have impacted on the powers of the Australian Parliament.
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Magna Carta
This fact sheet explores the Magna Carta – the ‘Great Charter’. It includes information about the history of the Magna Carta and its importance in the development of democracy and human rights.
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Black Rod
The Black Rod is a ceremonial staff carried by the Usher of the Black Rod while doing Senate work. With this fact sheet you will learn about the design, function and history of the Black Rod.
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House of Representatives current numbers
This image shows the current numbers in the Australian House of Representatives. *
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Senate current numbers
This image shows the current numbers in the Australian Senate.
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Records of the Parliament
Official records are kept of everything that is said and done in the Australian Parliament. This fact sheet explores these official records, including Hansard, Journals of the Senate and Votes and Proceedings.
