Voting and democracy
Enrolment, secret ballots and the AEC.
Study guide
Government and the law in Australia
Learn the structure before memorising terms. The Constitution provides the framework, Parliament makes laws, the executive administers them and courts decide legal disputes. The guides below explain how those ideas fit together.
How the topic fits together
The Constitution
Founding rules, referendums and federal government.
Government powers
Legislative, executive and judicial functions.
National institutions
Parliament and the Governor-General.
Concept guides
Use these explanations before returning to timed or topic practice.
Concept guide
Voting in Australia
Eligible Australian citizens must enrol before voting and are generally required to vote in federal, state and territory elections. Federal elections and referendums are conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission using a secret ballot.
Concept guideThe Australian Constitution
The Australian Constitution is Australia's founding legal document. It sets out the basic rules for governing the country, including Parliament, government powers and how constitutional change must be approved.
Concept guideSeparation of Powers in Australia
Australia separates legislative, executive and judicial power so that making laws, putting laws into action and deciding legal disputes are not all controlled by the same body.
Concept guideThe Role of the Governor-General
The Governor-General represents the King in Australia and carries out constitutional and ceremonial duties, including giving Royal Assent to Bills. The Prime Minister leads the Australian Government.
Concept guideAustralian Parliament
The Australian Parliament has two Houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House represents electorates, while the Senate is the House of Review and represents states equally.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the Australian Government with Parliament.
- Confusing the Governor-General with the Prime Minister.
- Assuming courts make ordinary laws or that Parliament decides guilt in a case.
Official sources
- Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond Voting, page 24 Last verified 2026-06-19
- Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond The Australian Constitution, page 25 Last verified 2026-06-19
- Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond The Australian Government, page 27 Last verified 2026-06-19