quiz
Australian Constitution
How much do you know about the Australian Constitution – the set of rules by which Australia is run?
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.
Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, 1900: Original Public Record Copy (1900).
Parliament House Art Collection, Art Services Parliament House
Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, 1900: Original Public Record Copy (1900).
Parliament House Art Collection, Art Services Parliament House
Description
This image shows the front page of the original public record copy of the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900.
Copyright information
Permission for publication must be sought from Parliament House Art Collection. Contact DPS Art Services, phone: 02 62775034 or 02 62775123
The Australian Constitution is the set of rules by which Australia is run. It came into effect on 1 January 1901.
It is the foundation of Australia’s system of government and includes rules about the make-up of the Australian Parliament, what it can make laws about and how power is shared.
Things you need to know
- The Australian Constitution created Australia as a nation. Before this, Australia was 6 separate colonies/states.
- The Constitution defines Australia as a constitutional monarchy. This means the King of England is also the King of Australia and is our head of state.
- The Constitution states that members of parliament must be elected. By doing so, the Constitution creates Australia as a representative democracy.
- Some of our rights are protected by the Constitution. Other rights are protected by laws which have been passed by either the Australian Parliament, or state and territory parliaments.
- The Constitution gives the power to make and manage laws to 3 groups:
- Legislature – the Australian Parliament
- Executive – the Australian Government
- Judiciary – the High Court and other federal courts.
- The Australian Constitution can only be changed with the approval of the Australian people through a special vote called a referendum.
The sections of the Australian Constitution
PARLIAMENTARY EDUCATION OFFICE (PEO.GOV.AU)
The sections of the Australian Constitution
PARLIAMENTARY EDUCATION OFFICE (PEO.GOV.AU)
Description
Chapter 1 - The Parliament
Chapter 2 - The Executive Government
Chapter 3 - The Judicature
Chapter 4 - Finance and trade
Chapter 5 - The States
Chapter 6 - New states
Chapter 7 - Miscellaneous
Chapter 8 - Alteration of the Constitution
Copyright information
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
You are free to share – copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format.
The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Attribution – You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
Non-commercial – You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
No derivatives – If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you may not distribute the modified material.
No additional restrictions – You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Waiver – any of the above conditions can be waived if you get permission from the copyright holder.
Did you know?
The Australian Constitution says New Zealand can join Australia! This means New Zealand would become an Australian state just like Victoria or New South Wales. While this offer still exists, it doesn’t seem as though New Zealand will join Australia anytime soon!
Curriculum alignment
Year 6 AC9HS6K06
Year 7 AC9HC7K01
Year 7 AC9HC7K03
Year 9 AC9HC9K01
Year 10 AC9HC10K03
