Are there times when all three levels of government work together or are involved in one issue or project?

Thank you for your question, Rob.  

Australia has three levels of government:

  • Federal (which makes laws in relation to defence, immigration, foreign affairs, trade, postal services and taxation)
  • State (which makes laws in relation to hospitals, schools, police and housing services)
  • Local (which makes laws in relation to building regulations, rubbish collection, local roads and pet control)

Each level of government has its own responsibilities, although sometimes these responsibilities overlap. On these occasions all three levels can work together on the same project.

An example would be improvements to a state road, where the work is completed by a local council and funded by a grant from the federal government.

Similarly, some local councils operate childcare centres which might receive funding—and be regulated by—both the state and federal governments.

However, it is more common for 2 levels of government—federal and state or state and local—to work together on projects. The reason for this is local governments are the responsibility of state governments and are not mentioned in the Australian Constitution. The Constitution does mention both the federal and state levels of government, and how they can work together.

This diagram illustrates the three levels of government and the law-making bodies located around Australia.

Three levels of government in Australia.

Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)

Three levels of government in Australia.

This diagram illustrates the three levels of government and the law-making bodies located around Australia.

Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)

Description

This diagram illustrates the three levels of government—the law-making bodies in Australia with three maps of Australia: Local councils (located around Australia in each local council division); State/territory parliaments (located in the capital cities of each of the 6 states and 2 territories); and federal Parliament (located in Canberra, the nation's capital).

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