2026-11-11 한국어
usBasic

How Australia works, in plain words

3 levels of government

Who fixes the roads, and who runs the hospitals?

Australia has 3 levels of government. Each one looks after different things.

AusBasicSource Parliamentary Education OfficeChecked 2026-11-11Words with dots under them open the dictionary

The Constitution

The King

Governor-General

Represents the King in Australia and signs new laws
Parliament Makes the laws House 150 · Senate 76 Government Runs the country Prime Minister + ministers Courts Decides what laws mean High Court at the top

You, the voters elect Parliament

Federal State · Territory Local council
Tap a part to learn more.

Federation

One country, 8 sets of state laws

Australia is a federation. The federal government makes laws for the whole country. Each of the 6 states and 2 territories also makes its own laws.

Federal ParliamentCanberra

Laws for the whole country

  • Visas
  • Tax
  • Defence

How they connect

  1. 1 The Constitution splits the jobs

    The lists what the federal Parliament can make laws about. Most other things are left to the states.

  2. 2 If laws clash, federal law wins

    If a state law and a federal law say different things, you follow the federal law.

    Constitution, section 109
  3. 3 Money goes from federal to states

    The federal government collects most tax. It gives all the to the states and territories.

  4. 4 Leaders meet

    The , the and the Chief Ministers meet as National Cabinet to plan big things together.

6 states

2 territories

Each one has its own parliament and its own laws. make their own laws too, but the federal Parliament can change them. (Constitution, section 122)

Can be different in each state

  • Renting rules (bond, notice)
  • Driver licence and P-plate rules
  • Fines for road rules
  • School starting age
  • Some public holidays

Moving to another state? Check that state's rules again.

Local are set up by state law.

Source: Parliamentary Education Office, National Cabinet, Federal Financial Relations
01

Federal government

Looks after the whole country. It is in Canberra.

  • Visas and citizenship
  • Tax, like income tax and GST
  • and
  • Defence and other countries

Leader: the Prime Minister

02

State or territory government

There are 6 states and 2 territories. Each has its own parliament.

  • Public hospitals
  • Public schools
  • Police
  • Driver licences, roads and trains
  • Rules for renting a home

Leader: the Premier (in a territory, the Chief Minister)

03

Local council

Looks after your local area.

  • Rubbish and recycling bins
  • Local roads, footpaths and parks
  • Libraries
  • Permits to build
  • Registering your pet

Leader: the Mayor

Sources · Checked2026-11-11

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Words
Preferential voting

You number the people in order: 1, 2, 3. If your first choice can't win, your vote goes to your next choice.

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Compulsory voting

All enrolled citizens must vote. If you don't, you need a good reason.

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Electorate

An area that picks one member for the House of Representatives. Also called a seat.

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Coalition

2 or more parties that work together. In Australia it usually means the Liberal and National parties.

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Governor-General

The King's representative in Australia. Signs new laws, but follows the government's advice.

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Referendum

A vote by all voters to change the Constitution.

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Constitution

Australia's main rule book. It says how Parliament, the government and the courts work.

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Enrol

Put your name on the list of voters. You do it with the AEC.

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Magistrate

The person who decides cases in the Local or Magistrates Court.

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Bond

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.

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Super

Short for superannuation. Money your boss saves for you for when you stop working.

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Tribunal

A place to fix disputes. It is simpler and cheaper than a court.

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Tax-free threshold

The first $18,200 you earn in a tax year. You pay no tax on it. Claim it from one job only.

Short form
Rego
Registration

Your car's registration. You pay it regularly, often every year, to drive on public roads.

Short form
CTP
Compulsory Third Party insurance

Insurance you must have for your car. It pays for people who are hurt in a crash.

Short form
TFN
Tax File Number

Your own number for tax. It is free and you keep it for life.

Short form
ABN
Australian Business Number

A number for a business. You need one if you work for yourself, for example as a contractor.

Short form
GST
Goods and Services Tax

A 10% tax on most things you buy. It is usually already in the price.

Short form
PAYG
Pay As You Go

Tax your boss takes out of your pay and sends to the ATO.

Short form
HECS-HELP
Higher Education Loan

A government loan for uni fees. You pay it back through tax once you earn enough.

Short form
ATO
Australian Taxation Office

The government office for tax and super.

Short form
AEC
Australian Electoral Commission

Runs federal elections and keeps the list of voters.

Short form
PR
Permanent Resident

Someone who can live in Australia for good but is not a citizen yet. PRs can't vote in federal elections.

Short form
MP
Member of Parliament

A person elected to speak for your area in parliament.

Short form
RSA
Responsible Service of Alcohol

A certificate you need to serve alcohol at work, like in a bar or restaurant.

Short form
L and P plates
Learner and Provisional licence

L plates: you are learning to drive with a supervisor. P plates: you have a new licence with extra rules.

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Medicare

Australia’s public health system. It pays some or all of the cost of seeing a doctor and of public hospital care.

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myGov

A free government account. One login for the ATO, Medicare and Centrelink.

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Council

Your local government. It looks after bins, local roads, parks and libraries.

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Minimum wage

The lowest pay an employer is allowed to pay. It is reviewed every year.

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Payslip

A record of your pay: hours, pay, tax taken out and super.

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Voluntary administration

When a struggling company hands control to an outside expert, who decides if it can be saved.

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Lease

Your rental agreement. It sets the rent, how long you stay and the rules.

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Condition report

A form that records what the home looks like when you move in. It helps protect your bond.

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Prime Minister

The leader of the federal government.

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Premier

The leader of a state government.

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Territory

A part of Australia that is not a state, like the ACT and the Northern Territory.

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Fair Work

The government office that helps with pay and rights at work. Phone 13 13 94.

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Bill

A plan for a new law, before parliament passes it.

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Appeal

Asking a higher court to look at a decision again.

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Jury

A group of ordinary people who decide if someone is guilty.