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Bills and laws
How does the Australian Parliament make laws for Australia? Revise your students' study of law-making with this quiz.
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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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Bills and laws
Everything you need to know about the law-making process in the Australian Parliament. Discover the path of a bill, how laws are changed and the different types of laws.
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Sources of law
Test your students' recollection of the ways that law is made in Australia—statute, common and delegated—with this quick quiz.
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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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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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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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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 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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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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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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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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Referencing
Information to help you reference content from the PEO website.
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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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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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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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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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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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Australian Parliament
This fact sheet outlines the composition and role of the Australian Parliament.
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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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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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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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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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Year 8
The PEO has a range of resources which assist teachers in their delivery of the Year 8 Australian Civics and Citizenship Curriculum.
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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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Year 6
The PEO has a range of resources which assist teachers in their delivery of the Year 6 Australian Civics and Citizenship Curriculum.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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The Senate
Discover the role and work of the Australian Senate 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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Year 3
The PEO has a range of resources which assist teachers in their delivery of the Year 3 Australian Civics and Citizenship Curriculum.
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Year 5
The PEO has a range of resources which assist teachers in their delivery of the Year 5 Australian Civics and Citizenship Curriculum.
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Year 9
The PEO has a range of resources which assist teachers in their delivery of the Year 9 Australian Civics and Citizenship Curriculum.
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Year 4
The PEO has a range of resources which assist teachers in their delivery of the Year 4 Australian Civics and Citizenship Curriculum.
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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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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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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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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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Ministers and shadow ministers
Understand the role of minsters and shadow ministers with this fact sheet. It describes what a minster is, how they are chosen and what their role is.
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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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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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Budget
This fact sheet explores the Australian Government’s annual statement of how it plans to collect and spend money.
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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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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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Political parties
Many political parties have members elected to the Australian Parliament. In this fact sheet, learn more about why they exist, how they are formed and how they are organised.
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Glossary
Use this helpful glossary to browse or search the meanings of key parliamentary terms.
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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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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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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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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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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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Run a Cabinet meeting
Work together to negotiate the best policy outcome.
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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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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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Australia's Federation
Discover the story behind Federation in Australia with this introductory video.
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From election to a new Parliament
Regular federal elections are an important feature of Australia’s democracy. Investigate the process of closing Parliament, the transition between Parliaments and the opening of a new Parliament in Australia with this fact sheet.
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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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Year 7
The PEO has a range of resources which assist teachers in their delivery of the Year 7 Australian Civics and Citizenship Curriculum.
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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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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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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: 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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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 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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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.