Lyla Lindsey
Australia has three levels of government: the federal government, state and territory governments, and local councils. Each level of government has its own responsibilities, although sometimes these responsibilities overlap. The federal government is responsible for national affairs, including defence, foreign affairs, trade, immigration, and social services. State and territory governments make laws for their respective states or territories and are responsible for matters such as health, education, public transport, and roads. Local councils are concerned with local matters such as building regulations, public health, and local roads.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of levels of government | 3 |
| Federal government responsibilities | foreign affairs, social security, industrial relations, trade, immigration, currency, defence, Medicare, postal services, telecommunications, broadcasting, air travel, most social services and pensions |
| State/territory government responsibilities | roads, housing, prisons, public transport, police, ambulance services, justice, consumer affairs, health, education, forestry, main roads, schools, hospitals, conservation and environment, railways, agriculture and fishing, community services, sport and recreation |
| Local government responsibilities | town planning, sewerage, local roads, rubbish collection, building regulations and development, public health, parks and playing fields, libraries, local environmental issues, waste disposal, community services |
| Number of local councils | over 500 |
| Number of senators per state | 12 |
| Number of senators per territory | 2 |
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What You'll Learn
State laws and local councils
Australia has three levels of government: federal, state/territory, and local councils. Each level of government has its own responsibilities, though sometimes these responsibilities overlap.
State and territory parliaments make laws that are enforced within their state or territory. The Australian Constitution gives the federal parliament the power to make laws for the territories, and until 2011, federal ministers had the right to veto or change territory laws without the approval of federal parliament. State laws relate to matters that are primarily of state interest. The states kept most of their existing powers when Australia's federal system of government was established, but the federal parliament was given responsibility for areas affecting the whole nation.
State parliaments give local councils the task of looking after the particular needs of their local communities. Local councils are concerned with matters close to people's homes, such as building regulations and development, public health, local roads and footpaths, parks and playing fields, libraries, local environmental issues, waste disposal, and many community services. Local councils collect taxes (rates) from all local property owners and receive money from the federal and state governments. The power of local governments is controlled by Acts of State Parliament such as the Local Government Acts.
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) does not have local councils. The ACT Legislative Assembly is responsible for both state and local government responsibilities.
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State government responsibilities
Australia has a federal system of government, with three levels: federal, state/territory, and local. Each state has its own constitution, and state and territory parliaments make laws that are enforced within their state or territory. The federal government is responsible for national affairs, and state governments are responsible for everything else not listed as a federal responsibility.
State laws relate to matters of state interest. These include justice, health, education, forestry, and main roads. The state parliament gives local councils the task of looking after the particular needs of their local communities, such as building regulations and development, public health, local roads and footpaths, parks, libraries, local environmental issues, waste disposal, and community services.
The Australian Capital Territory combines the responsibilities of both local and state government. The Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory were administered by the federal government until they were granted self-government in 1978 and 1988, respectively.
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Federal government responsibilities
Australia has three levels of government: the federal government, state and territory governments, and local councils. Each level of government has its own responsibilities, although there is sometimes an overlap. The federal government is headquartered in Canberra, the nation's capital, and its primary role is to implement the laws passed by the parliament.
The federal government raises money through taxing incomes, businesses, and spending. The money is then spent on federal matters, including Medicare, defence, immigration, and foreign policy. Medicare, for instance, covers the cost of public hospital services and some or all of the costs of other health services, including GPs, medical specialists, and basic dental services for children. The federal government also subsidises prescription medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
The federal government also has responsibility for areas that affect the whole nation, such as national defence, immigration, and trade. This is in contrast to the state and territory governments, which are responsible for state matters such as roads, housing, prisons, public transport, police, and ambulance services.
The federal government also provides funding to the state and territory governments, which receive more than half of their money from the federal government. The federal government also provides funding to local councils, which collect taxes from local property owners and spend money on local matters such as town planning, sewerage, local roads, and rubbish collection.
The federal government also has the power to override state laws if the federal and state parliaments pass conflicting laws on the same subject.
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State funding
Australia has three levels of government: federal, state, and local. Each level of government has its own responsibilities, although sometimes these responsibilities overlap. Australians aged 18 and over vote to elect representatives to federal, state, and local councils to make decisions on their behalf.
State governments receive more than half of their funding from the federal government, as well as collecting taxes. This money is spent on state matters such as roads, housing, prisons, public transport, police, and ambulance services.
State parliaments make laws that are enforced within their state. The Australian Constitution defines federal powers, but leaves most other law-making powers to the states. These are called residual powers. If a power is not listed in sections 51 and 52 of the Constitution, it is an area of state responsibility.
State laws relate to matters of state interest, such as schools, hospitals, conservation and environment, roads, railways and public transport, public works, agriculture and fishing, industrial relations, community services, sport and recreation, consumer affairs, police, prisons, and emergency services.
Local councils also receive funding from the state level of government. Local councils collect taxes (rates) from all local property owners. This money is spent on local matters such as town planning, sewerage, local roads, and rubbish collection.
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State parliament
Australia has three levels of government: the federal government, state and territory governments, and local councils. Each level of government has its own responsibilities, though sometimes these responsibilities overlap. Australians aged 18 and over vote to elect representatives to federal, state and territory parliaments, and local councils.
State and territory government responsibilities include justice, consumer affairs, health, education, forestry, public transport, and main roads. The leader of a state government is called the Premier. Representatives elected to state parliaments are generally known as 'Members' – Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) or Members of the House of Assembly (MHA) or Members of the Legislative Council (MLC).
Local councils are established by state governments to look after the particular needs of a city or local community. Local councils collect taxes (rates) from all local property owners and receive money from the federal and state governments. The money is spent on local matters such as town planning, sewerage, local roads and rubbish collection. The power of local governments is controlled by Acts of State Parliament such as the Local Government Acts.
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Frequently asked questions
The three levels of government in Australia are the federal government, state and territory governments, and local councils.
The state government is responsible for matters that are primarily of state interest. Major state responsibilities include schools, hospitals, conservation and environment, roads, railways and public transport, public works, agriculture and fishing, industrial relations, community services, sport and recreation, consumer affairs, police, prisons, and emergency services.
The federal and state governments in Australia work together to provide services to Australians. The federal government is responsible for the conduct of national affairs, including defence, foreign affairs, trade, immigration, and social services. The state governments have their own constitutions and are responsible for matters not listed as federal responsibilities, such as justice, health, education, and local community needs.
