Curriculum links – Year 9
The PEO has a range of resources which assist teachers in their delivery of the Year 9 Australian Civics and Citizenship Curriculum.
Individual curriculum linked resources
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ACHCK075
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The role of political parties and independent representatives in Australia's system of government, including the formation of governments
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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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Senate current numbers
This image shows the current numbers in the Australian Senate. The contents of this page will be updated when the results of the federal election held on 21 May 2022 are confirmed.
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House of Representatives current numbers
This image shows the current numbers in the Australian House of Representatives. The contents of this page will be updated when the results of the federal election held on 21 May 2022 are confirmed.
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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.
Classroom activity page
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Government
This fact sheet explores the role and functions of the Australian Government, including minority government and the principle of responsible government.
Fact sheet
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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.
Fact sheet
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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.
video
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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 history of the Senate.
Fact sheet
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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.
Classroom activity page
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The Senate
Discover the role and work of the Australian Senate with this introductory video.
video
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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.
Classroom activity page
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Opposition
Get to know the opposition—the largest team in the Australian Parliament who closely examines the work of the government.
Fact sheet
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The role of political parties
Test your knowledge of political parties in the Australian Parliament with this fun quiz. It includes key parliamentary terms such as 'hung parliament' and 'crossing the floor'.
interactive
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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, how they can vote in the Parliament and where they sit.
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 politica
Fact sheet
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ACHCK076
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How citizens’ political choices are shaped, including the influence of the media
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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.
Classroom activity page
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Run an election campaign
Experience a modern social media election campaign in your classroom with this classroom activity.
Classroom activity page
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The role of the media
How much do you know about the role the media? Take this quick quiz to find out.
interactive
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Press gallery
This fact sheet investigates the work of the press gallery in gathering information and publishing stories about what happens in the Australian Parliament. It includes information about the relationship between the press and Parliament.
Fact sheet
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ACHCK077
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The key features of Australia’s court system and how courts apply and interpret the law, resolve disputes and make law through judgements
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Conduct a law reform inquiry
Investigate a law reform issue and present recommendations to a citizens’ jury.
Classroom activity page
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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 and key High Court of Australia cases.
Fact sheet
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Separation of powers: Parliament, Executive and Judiciary
The principle of the separation of powers distributes the power to govern between the Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary. This fact sheet examines the role of each group and the related principle of responsible government.
Fact sheet
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Unpack democracy
What is democracy and why is it important? Introduce and explore the concept of democracy with this discussion-based activity.
Classroom activity page
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Separation of powers
Test your knowledge of the separation of powers—an important principle of Australia's democracy—with this fun quiz.
interactive
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ACHCK103
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The process through which government policy is shaped and developed, including the role of Prime Minister and Cabinet
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Cabinet
Cabinet is the top-level decision-making group within the Australian Government. Find out more about who is in Cabinet and how it works with this fact sheet.
Fact sheet
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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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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!
Classroom activity page
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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!
Classroom activity page
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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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Committees
Parliamentary committees investigate issues and proposed laws in detail so members of parliament are well-informed before making decisions. This fact sheet explores the membership, responsibilities and types of committees in the Australian Parliament.
Fact sheet
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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.
Classroom activity page
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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.
Classroom activity page
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Opposition
Get to know the opposition—the largest team in the Australian Parliament who closely examines the work of the government.
Fact sheet
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Run a Cabinet meeting
Work together to negotiate the best policy outcome.
Classroom activity page
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Making a law in the Australian Parliament
This fact sheet explains the law-making process in the Australian Parliament and describes where ideas for laws come from.
Fact sheet
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Rights, power, action: a practical classroom guide for teaching Australia's system of government
A practical guide for exploring concepts relating to our system of government with upper and senior secondary students.
print-resource
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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.
Fact sheet
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Parliamentary committees
Explore the function of committees and how they support the work of the Australian Parliament with this explanatory video.
video
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Note: content listed under each curriculum descriptor may not meet all the requirements of each descriptor elaboration.
DISCOVER MORE YEAR 9 CURRICULUM-ALIGNED RESOURCES
For content to deliver the Year 9 Civics and Citizenship skills, discover our range of Classroom activities, print resources and quizzes.
Source information
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), downloaded from the Australian Curriculum website on 2 July 2020 (curriculum version 8.4).
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