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Understand our Parliament

Everything you need to know about the role, function, structure and people of the Australian Parliament.
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Teach our Parliament

Become an expert in teaching about the Australian Parliament with our curriculum-aligned education resources.
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Understand
How Parliament works
Current: System of government

System of government

Understand Australia’s democratic system of government, including the separation of powers and responsible government.

In this section

Four key ideas of Australian democracy

This graphic illustrates the 4 supporting ideas of Australian democracy.

image
Australian Constitution
Years 7+8

Introducing ... Australia's system of government

Begin your exploration of the features of Australia’s system of government with this short introduction.

introducing
System of government
Years 5+6

The Australian Parliament interactive poster

Be introduced to the Australian Parliament, its component parts and its role with this interactive poster.

interactive
System of government

Parliament, Executive and Judiciary

Explore how the power to make and manage law is shared in Australia with this interactive.

interactive
System of government
Years 5+6
Years 7+8

Australian system of government

This fact sheet examines Australia’s system of government.

Fact Sheet
System of government
Years 5+6
Years 7+8
Years 9+10

Democracy

This fact sheet introduces the idea of democracy and explores the key ideas which support Australia’s democratic system of government.

Fact Sheet
System of government
Years 5+6
Years 7+8
Years 9+10

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 that have impacted the powers of the Australian Parliament.

Fact Sheet
System of government
Years 7+8
Senior secondary
Years 9+10

Rights

On this fact sheet, find out about where rights in Australia come from, types of rights and how rights are considered when Parliament makes laws.

Fact Sheet
System of government
Years 5+6

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 sources for our rights.

inFocus

Rule of law

The rule of law is a key feature of Australia’s democracy and legal system.

Fact Sheet
System of government
Years 7+8
Senior secondary

Separation of powers: Parliament, Executive and Judiciary

The separation of powers distributes the power to govern between the Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary.

Fact Sheet
System of government
Years 5+6
Years 7+8
Years 9+10

Separation of powers quiz

Test your knowledge of the separation of powers—an important principle of Australia's democracy.

quiz
System of government

Separation of powers interactive poster

Explore the separation of powers with this interactive poster.

interactive
System of government

Australian Parliament quiz

Test your understanding of the history, make-up and people of the Australian Parliament with this quick quiz.

quiz
Parliament at work
System of government

Your questions

Answers to real questions we've received about how the Australian Parliament and Government works.

Parliament at work
System of government

Acknowledgement of country

The PEO acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their continuing education of and connection to lands, cultures and communities. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website contains images and names of people who have passed away.

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Parliamentary Education Office
Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country
PO BOX 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

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