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Australia is a representative democracy with a federal system of government. The federal government of Australia, also referred to as the Australian Government or Commonwealth Government, is responsible for the conduct of national affairs. The Head of State is the King of Australia, His Majesty King Charles III, and the Head of Government is the Prime Minister, who is appointed by the governor-general. The Prime Minister leads a Cabinet of ministers, who are responsible for decisions made by their department. The Federal Executive Council, of which all ministers are members, is the highest formal governmental body in Australia. State and territory parliaments make laws that are enforced within their state or territory, while the federal government retains certain powers as outlined in the Australian Constitution, including defence, foreign affairs, trade, immigration, and most social services.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Head of State | King of Australia, His Majesty King Charles III |
| Head of Government | Prime Minister |
| National Anthem | Advance Australia Fair |
| Number of Departments | 16 |
| Number of Territories | 2 |
| Number of States | 6 |
| Federal Government Funding | About half of the states' total revenue |
| Federal Government Responsibilities | Defence and foreign affairs; trade, commerce and currency; immigration; postal services, telecommunications and broadcasting; air travel; most social services and pensions |
| Federal Government Involvement | Health, education, environmental issues, industrial relations, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
The Prime Minister and the Cabinet
The Prime Minister of Australia is the head of the federal government and is appointed to the role by the governor-general, who is the federal representative of the monarch of Australia. The governor-general usually appoints the parliamentary leader who commands the confidence of a majority of the members of the House of Representatives. The prime minister is a member of the lower house and, along with their sworn ministers, forms the cabinet. The cabinet is the key decision-making organ of the government that makes policies and decides the government agenda.
The cabinet consists of the prime minister and senior ministers, and it makes most of the important policy decisions of the government. Members of the cabinet are selected by the prime minister and can be added or removed at any time, usually through a cabinet reshuffle. Cabinet meetings are strictly private and occur once a week, where vital issues are discussed and policies are formulated. The cabinet is not a legal entity; it exists solely by convention, and its decisions do not carry legal force. However, it serves as the practical expression of the Federal Executive Council, which is Australia's highest formal governmental body.
The Federal Executive Council meets to endorse and give legal force to decisions already made by the cabinet. All members of the cabinet are members of the Executive Council, and a senior member of the cabinet holds the office of vice-president of the Executive Council. The Federal Executive Council is the body that formally advises the governor-general in the exercise of executive power. While the governor-general usually presides over council meetings, in their absence, the vice-president of the Executive Council presides.
The federal government, also referred to as the Commonwealth government, is responsible for the conduct of national affairs. Its areas of responsibility are stated in the Australian Constitution and include defence, foreign affairs, trade, immigration, telecommunications, and most social services and pensions. The federal government is also involved, mainly through funding, in areas largely carried out by the states, such as health, education, environmental issues, and industrial relations.
The states' reliance on federal government funding for areas like schools and hospitals has shifted the federal-state balance. Federal funding grants make up about half of the states' total revenue, and the federal government can influence how this money is spent in areas that are primarily state responsibilities. The law-making powers of the federal Parliament have grown over time to address the social and technological advances that have occurred since Federation.
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The Federal Executive Council
The Federal or Commonwealth Government is responsible for the conduct of national affairs, with its areas of responsibility stated in the Australian Constitution. These include defence, foreign affairs, trade, immigration, telecommunications, and most social services and pensions. The Federal Government also plays a role in areas like health, education, and environmental issues, mainly through funding. The states' reliance on federal government funding for areas like schools and hospitals has shifted the federal-state balance, with federal funding grants making up about half of the states' total revenue.
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The Governor-General
In their ceremonial role, the Governor-General represents the nation as a whole, both domestically and internationally. Domestically, this entails attending services and commemorations, sponsoring community organisations, and hosting events at one of the two official residences: Government House in Canberra and Admiralty House in Sydney. Internationally, the Governor-General represents Australia by travelling to significant events and performing and receiving state visits.
Historically, the role of the Governor-General has been controversial, as they were expected to exercise a supervisory role over the Australian government, representing the British government. However, since Federation in 1901, the role has evolved to become more representative of national unity and the modern democracy of Australia.
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The three levels of government
Australia has three levels of government: federal, state, and local. The Australian Constitution of 1901 established this federal system of government, based on the British (Westminster) tradition. The national government, also referred to as the federal or Commonwealth government, is responsible for national affairs, including defence, foreign affairs, trade, immigration, and most social services. The Australian Constitution grants certain powers to the federal government, while some are shared with the states, and others remain solely with the states.
The six states of Australia are New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. Each state has its own governor, who is appointed by the King on the advice of the Premier of that state. The states are responsible for everything not listed as a federal responsibility, including schools, hospitals, roads, railways, public transport, agriculture, fishing, police, and emergency services.
The third level of government is local government, which includes elected councillors who decide on policies and make by-laws for their communities. Local governments receive funding from federal, state, and territory governments, as well as through local taxes.
The Federal Executive Council, which includes all current and former ministers, advises the governor-general in the exercise of executive power. The governor-general is appointed by the King and is responsible for appointing the prime minister, who leads the cabinet and is the head of the federal government. The cabinet makes most of the important policy decisions for the government.
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The Australian Constitution
The Constitution is divided into eight chapters and 128 sections, outlining the structure, role, and powers of the Australian Parliament. It sets out how the Australian and state parliaments share the power to make laws, with federal powers defined in sections 51 and 52. The Constitution also details the roles of the executive government and the High Court of Australia, which is the final court of appeal and interprets the Constitution.
The Constitution was drafted between 1891 and 1898 at a series of conventions by representatives of the six self-governing British colonies in Australia: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania. The 1891 draft was submitted to colonial parliaments but lapsed in New South Wales, leading to other colonies being reluctant to proceed. However, in 1895, the six premiers agreed to establish a new convention by popular vote, and the resulting draft contained substantially the same principles of government but with added provisions for responsible government. This final draft was approved by each state in referendums from 1898 to 1900.
The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act became law after receiving royal assent on July 9, 1900, and took effect on January 1, 1901. The Constitution can only be changed with the approval of the Australian people through a referendum.
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Frequently asked questions
Federal, state and territory parliaments, and local councils.
The Federal Government is responsible for the conduct of national affairs. Its areas of responsibility include defence, foreign affairs, trade, immigration, telecommunications, broadcasting, air travel, and most social services and pensions.
The Prime Minister is the head of the Federal Government. They are appointed by the Governor-General, who is the federal representative of the monarch of Australia.
The Governor-General exercises executive power as the representative of the King of Australia, His Majesty King Charles III.
The Cabinet is made up of the Prime Minister and senior ministers, who make important policy decisions for the government.
