What is the difference between a question without notice and a question on notice?

While both are questions directed to the government, they are asked and answered differently:

  • A question without notice is the name given to a question which a government minister is asked in the Senate or House of Representatives during Question Time.
  • A question on notice is a written question that a member of parliament can submit to the government. The government responds to this type of question in writing.

In Question Time ministers usually have no warning about what they will be asked which is why these questions are called questions without notice. Because ministers are expected to be very knowledgeable about their portfolio – their area of government responsibility – they are expected to answer questions immediately. If a minister cannot answer a question, for example if asked for very detailed information, they can ask to take the question on notice.

Questions on notice can be submitted to the government at the end of Question Time and also during Senate Estimates. The government has time to research and prepare a written response to these questions. There is no set time in which questions on notice must be answered. However, if the question hasn’t been answered within 30 days (in the Senate) or 60 days (in the House of Representatives) the minister can be asked to provide an explanation for the delay.

In both cases, the questions and answers are printed in Hansard – the official written record of what is said in the Australian Parliament.

The Prime Minister answers a question during Question Time in the House of Representatives.

Question Time in the House of Representatives

Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au), DPS AUSPIC

Question Time in the House of Representatives

The Prime Minister answers a question during Question Time in the House of Representatives.

Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au), DPS AUSPIC

Description

This image shows the main people involved in Question Time in the House of Representatives:

  1. An opposition member asks the Prime Minister a question
  2. The Prime Minister answers the opposition member's question
  3. A Government member asks a minister a question
  4. The minister answer the government member's question.

Questions to the Prime Minister and ministers continue alternating between government and non-government members.

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