Lexi Webster
Australia is a parliamentary democracy with three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judiciary. These are often referred to as the three arms of government, each with its own powers and responsibilities, and some power over the other branches. The country's three levels of government work together to provide services to Australians, with each level having its own executive that puts laws into action. The federal Parliament, located in Canberra, makes laws for the whole of Australia. Australia's system of government is also known as a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of branches | 3 |
| Branches | Legislative, executive, and judiciary |
| Levels of government | 3 |
| Federal government | Makes laws for the whole of Australia |
| State/territory parliaments | Located in the capital cities of each of the 6 states and 2 territories |
| Local councils | Located in each local council division |
| Federal government leader | Prime Minister |
| State government leader | Premier |
| Territory government leader | Chief Minister |
| Local government responsibilities | Local road maintenance, garbage collection, building regulations, land subdivisions, public health and recreation facilities |
| State government responsibilities | Justice, consumer affairs, health, education, forestry, public transport, main roads |
| Federal government responsibilities | Foreign affairs, social security, industrial relations, trade, immigration, currency, defence |
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What You'll Learn
The three branches of government
Australia is a parliamentary democracy with a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy. It has three branches of government, often referred to as the "three arms of government" or the "three levels of government". These are the legislative, executive, and judiciary branches, each with its own powers and responsibilities. This system of government was established in 1901 when the six British colonies united to form the Commonwealth of Australia.
The legislative branch, also known as the Australian Parliament, is responsible for passing laws. It consists of the Senate (the upper house) and the House of Representatives (the lower house). The Parliament can also authorize the government to spend public money, closely examine government activities, and ensure the government acts responsibly. The Senate has 76 senators in total, with 12 senators representing each of the six states and two senators representing each territory. Senators are elected for six-year terms, except for territory senators, who serve for three years. The House of Representatives is made up of elected representatives, each representing a separate division or electorate in Australia. The Senate and the House of Representatives work together to review, debate, and vote on proposed laws. For a bill to become a law, it must be approved by both houses.
The executive branch is responsible for carrying out and upholding the laws passed by the legislative branch. It consists of the monarch (represented by the governor-general), the prime minister, and the cabinet (made up of senior ministers). The prime minister is the head of the federal government and is appointed by the governor-general. They are the leader of the party that has won the majority of members elected to the House of Representatives. The cabinet makes important policy decisions and its members are selected by the prime minister.
The judiciary branch interprets and enforces the laws. It includes the High Court of Australia and other federal courts, as well as state and territory courts. Each state has its own constitution and its own structure of judiciary, which includes local courts that handle matters specific to their respective states.
These three branches of government work together to provide services to the people of Australia, with each branch having some power over the other two to ensure a fair and balanced system, known as the "separation of powers".
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Federal, state and territory parliaments
Australia has three levels of government: federal, state and territory parliaments, and local councils. Australians aged 18 and over vote to elect representatives to these three levels of government, which work together to provide the services the country needs. The federal Parliament makes laws for the whole of Australia, while the six state and two territory parliaments make laws for their state or territory.
The Parliament of Australia (also known as the Federal Parliament or the Parliament of the Commonwealth) is the federal legislature of Australia. It consists of three elements: the monarch of Australia (represented by the governor-general), the Senate (the upper house), and the House of Representatives (the lower house). The Australian Parliament combines elements from the Westminster system, in which the party or coalition with a majority in the lower house is entitled to form a government, and the United States Congress, which affords equal representation to each of the states, and scrutinises legislation before it can be signed into law. The upper house, the Senate, consists of 76 members: twelve for each state, and two for each of the self-governing territories. Senators are elected using the proportional system and as a result, the chamber features a multitude of parties vying for power. The House of Representatives has a maximum term of three years, although it can be dissolved early. The Senate has fixed terms, with half of the state senators' terms expiring every three years (the terms of the four territory senators are linked to House elections). As a result, House and Senate elections almost always coincide.
The parliaments of the Australian states and territories are legislative bodies within the federal framework of the Commonwealth of Australia. All the parliaments are based on the Westminster system, and each is regulated by its own constitution. Queensland and the two territories have unicameral parliaments, with the single house being called the Legislative Assembly. The other states have a bicameral parliament, with a lower house called the Legislative Assembly (New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia) or House of Assembly (South Australia and Tasmania), and an upper house called the Legislative Council. Section 44 of the Constitution of Australia prevents persons with dual citizenship from being members of the Federal Parliament, but there are no laws preventing holders of dual citizenship from being members of State Parliaments.
The Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory parliaments are also unicameral – both have one house called the Legislative Assembly. The Australian Capital Territory is unique in Australia because its parliament combines the responsibilities of both a local and state government.
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Local councils
Australia has three levels of government: federal, state, and local. Local councils are not mentioned in the Australian Constitution, and there have been two unsuccessful referendums to alter this. However, each state has a local government Act that provides rules for the creation and operation of councils. Local government is recognised in the constitution of each state or territory.
The administrative areas covered by local government councils in Australia vary in size. For example, the Shire of Peppermint Grove in the Perth metropolitan region covers 1.5 km2, while the Shire of East Pilbara in Western Australia's Pilbara region covers 372,571 km2.
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The legislative, executive and judiciary branches
Australia is a parliamentary democracy, with a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy as its national executive government. The country has three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judiciary, often referred to as the "three arms of government". Each branch has its own powers and responsibilities, and some power over the other branches, ensuring a "separation of powers" that keeps the government fair.
The legislative branch is central to Australia's democratic system. The Australian Parliament, comprising the Senate and the House of Representatives, has the power to pass laws, authorise government spending of public money, closely examine government activities, and ensure the government acts responsibly. The Senate is the upper house, with 76 senators in total, 12 from each of the six states and two from each of the territories. Senators are elected for six-year terms, except for territory senators, who serve three-year terms. The House of Representatives is the lower house, with representatives elected from separate electorates in Australia. The Senate and the House of Representatives jointly review, debate, and vote on proposed laws. For a bill to become law, it must be approved by both houses, although most bills are introduced in the House of Representatives.
The executive branch is responsible for carrying out and upholding the laws passed by the legislative branch. The executive consists of the Prime Minister, the senior ministers that form the cabinet, and other cabinet ministers that have the support of the majority of the members of the House of Representatives. The Prime Minister is the head of the federal government and is appointed by the governor-general, who is the representative of Australia's monarch. The executive branch also includes the departments and other executive bodies overseen by the ministers. The executive branch has the power to implement laws, and these are often drafted according to its interests as it also frequently controls the legislative branch.
The judiciary branch is responsible for the interpretation of the laws passed by the legislative branch and enforced by the executive branch. Each state has its own structure of judiciary, with the head of each state government called the Premier, and the monarch represented by a governor. Each state, except Queensland, has a two-house structure, with a lower house called the Legislative Assembly or House of Assembly, and an upper house called the Legislative Council. Queensland has only the Legislative Assembly. The Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory are self-governing, with the leader of each territory government called the Chief Minister.
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The Australian Parliament
Australia is a parliamentary democracy, with a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy as its national executive government. The Australian Parliament is the legislative body that is central to its democratic system. The constitution gives the Australian Parliament the power to pass laws. The Parliament can also authorise the government to spend public money, closely examine government activities, and ensure the government acts in a responsible manner.
The legislative branch is responsible for making laws, and the federal Parliament makes laws for the whole of Australia. The executive branch is responsible for carrying out and upholding the laws. The executive consists of the prime minister and other cabinet ministers that have the support of the majority of the members of the House of Representatives (the lower house). The prime minister is the head of the federal government and is appointed by the governor-general, who is the federal representative of the monarch of Australia. The judiciary branch is responsible for interpreting and enforcing the laws.
The three levels of government in Australia work together to provide services to the people. These are the federal Parliament, state/territory parliaments, and local councils. Australians aged 18 and over vote to elect representatives to these levels of government, who make decisions on their behalf. The federal government raises money through taxing incomes, spending, and businesses. Local councils are established by state governments to look after the particular needs of a city or local community.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Australia has three branches of government, also referred to as the "three arms of government" or three levels of government. These are the legislative, executive, and judiciary branches.
The legislative, executive, and judiciary are the three branches of government in Australia.
The legislative branch, also known as the Australian Parliament, is responsible for passing laws. The executive branch, consisting of the prime minister and other cabinet ministers, carries out and upholds the laws. The judiciary branch includes the High Court of Australia and other federal courts, which interpret the laws.
The three branches of government in Australia operate under the principle of "separation of powers", ensuring that no single branch holds more authority than another. Each branch has its own powers and responsibilities, as well as some degree of power over the other two branches. For example, the legislative branch can authorize the executive branch to spend public money and scrutinize its activities.
