How Australia works, in plain words
Government, voting, courts, tax and your rights. Short, simple, and checked against official sources.
The Constitution
The King
Governor-General
Represents the King in Australia and signs new lawsYou, the voters elect Parliament
Your own tax number. Get it before your first job.
Once a year, you tell the ATO how much you earned.
Money for when you are older. Your boss pays it on top of your pay.
Everyone working in Australia has rights. Your visa doesn't change this.
Most cases start in the lowest court. If you disagree with the decision, you can often go up. See the whole ladder and tap any court.
See the court ladder →The same guide, made for your phone. Coming to iPhone.
You number the people in order: 1, 2, 3. If your first choice can't win, your vote goes to your next choice.
All enrolled citizens must vote. If you don't, you need a good reason.
An area that picks one member for the House of Representatives. Also called a seat.
2 or more parties that work together. In Australia it usually means the Liberal and National parties.
The King's representative in Australia. Signs new laws, but follows the government's advice.
A vote by all voters to change the Constitution.
Australia's main rule book. It says how Parliament, the government and the courts work.
Put your name on the list of voters. You do it with the AEC.
The person who decides cases in the Local or Magistrates Court.
Money you pay when you start renting, often about 4 weeks of rent. You get it back at the end if there is no damage and no rent owing.
Short for superannuation. Money your boss saves for you for when you stop working.
A place to fix disputes. It is simpler and cheaper than a court.
The first $18,200 you earn in a tax year. You pay no tax on it. Claim it from one job only.
Your car's registration. You pay it regularly, often every year, to drive on public roads.
Insurance you must have for your car. It pays for people who are hurt in a crash.
Your own number for tax. It is free and you keep it for life.
A number for a business. You need one if you work for yourself, for example as a contractor.
A 10% tax on most things you buy. It is usually already in the price.
Tax your boss takes out of your pay and sends to the ATO.
A government loan for uni fees. You pay it back through tax once you earn enough.
The government office for tax and super.
Runs federal elections and keeps the list of voters.
Someone who can live in Australia for good but is not a citizen yet. PRs can't vote in federal elections.
A person elected to speak for your area in parliament.
A certificate you need to serve alcohol at work, like in a bar or restaurant.
L plates: you are learning to drive with a supervisor. P plates: you have a new licence with extra rules.
Australia’s public health system. It pays some or all of the cost of seeing a doctor and of public hospital care.
The government service that pays benefits, for example to students, families and people looking for work.
A free government account. One login for the ATO, Medicare and Centrelink.
Your local government. It looks after bins, local roads, parks and libraries.
The lowest pay an employer is allowed to pay. It is reviewed every year.
A record of your pay: hours, pay, tax taken out and super.
When a struggling company hands control to an outside expert, who decides if it can be saved.
Legal help paid for by government. Often free if you can’t afford a lawyer.
Your rental agreement. It sets the rent, how long you stay and the rules.
A form that records what the home looks like when you move in. It helps protect your bond.
The leader of the federal government.
The leader of a state government.
A part of Australia that is not a state, like the ACT and the Northern Territory.
The government office that helps with pay and rights at work. Phone 13 13 94.
A plan for a new law, before parliament passes it.
Asking a higher court to look at a decision again.
A group of ordinary people who decide if someone is guilty.