Civics and Citizenship 7-10 / Year 8 / Knowledge and understanding / Government and democracy

Curriculum content descriptions

how Australians are informed about and participate in democracy (AC9HC8K01)

Elaborations
  • investigating how Australians can participate in democracy, such as voting in elections, contacting their elected representatives, joining political parties and standing as candidates, and using lobby groups and taking direct action
  • explaining how who can vote and have a say in Australian democracy has changed since Federation, and the importance of an independent electoral service such as the Australian Electoral Commission
  • examining the issues of concern to young people in Australia today and investigating different ways they are seeking to influence political processes in addressing these issues
  • analysing case studies of citizen participation in political campaigns such as the Uluru Statement from the Heart
  • explaining how citizens’ understanding of issues, policies and political choices are shaped and can contribute to active and informed citizenship, including the influence of the media and social media, political parties, interest groups and election campaigns
  • examining a range of strategies used to influence citizens’ electoral choices, such as public debate, media and social media, opinion polls and political consulting firms, advertising, interest groups and political party campaigns
General capabilities
  • Personal and social capability Personal and Social capability
ScOT terms

Democracy,  Voting rights,  Active citizenship,  Activism,  Direct action,  Number operations

Interactive

Quizzes

Test your students with these quizzes about the Australian Parliament. Topics include the three levels of government, separation of powers and the Australian Constitution.

Interactive

Interactive posters - Parliamentary Education Office

Explore the key features of Australia’s system of government and the Australian Parliament with these interactive posters. Topics include Australia's Constitution, forming the Australian government, and making Australian law. Each poster is supported by teaching notes and student resources including interactive activities ...

Interactive

MP for a Week: Online Game

Challenge your students to survive a week in politics and keep their party, their voters and the media happy. The game gives young people a virtual taste of life as an MP. While created for a UK audience, there are many similarities with the Australian content.

Interactive

Discovering democracy: men and women in political life

Interact with a slideshow of images and text to explore some Australian men and women who have influenced the political landscape of Australia, both as elected representatives and as political leaders outside parliament. Complete a related task.

Text

Voting in Australia

The representatives elected to federal Parliament make decisions that affect many aspects of Australian life including tax, marriage, the environment, trade and immigration. This 28 page PDF document explains the history of Australia’s electoral system and how it works, Australia’s system of government and the role citizens ...

Video

Tasmania's Hare-Clark voting system

Did you know that Tasmania has an entirely different voting system to the rest of Australia? It allows five politicians to be voted into the one seat (division) in state elections. Watch as Andrew Hawkey, the Tasmanian Electoral Commissioner explains how that system works, why it came to be and why it's important for Tasmania ...

Interactive

Political parties

Many political parties have members elected to the Australian Parliament. In this fact sheet, learn more about how they are organised, coalitions of parties, party meetings and the history of political parties in Australia.

Video

Calls for recognition of Indigenous Australians

This 6-minute video explores the debates around the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the constitution. It looks at the calls for the Australian constitution to recognise and advance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's cultures, heritage and languages and the legal concerns associated ...

Video

The Australian Dream: Cultural identity

Cultural identity gives us a sense of connection and belonging and an understanding of who we are and where we come from. There is a direct connection between people's sense of cultural identity and their health and wellbeing. This clip explores some of our nation’s history, including how Australia Day is seen by both Indigenous ...

Video

Counted: Faith Bandler on voting yes in the 1967 referendum

In 1967, after 10 years of campaigning, Australia voted yes in the referendum on changing the way Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were referred to in the Constitution. This short video captures media coverage of the event and snippets of interviews with significant figures including Faith Bandler. The resource ...

Video

Stateline TAS: Aunty Ida West: Tasmanian Aboriginal Elder, 1995

This 3-minute clip explores challenges faced by Aboriginal people in the 20th century including the denial of culture and language. Students are introduced to Tasmanian woman Aunty Ida West and learn about her background and the life experiences that forged her as an activist, ambassador, and eventually a prominent Elder. ...

Video

The Australian Dream: Introducing Adam Goodes

To get to really know people, it's important to learn about their lives and the impact they've made on the world. As you watch this clip, you'll learn all about Adam Goodes and who he is. You'll gain a deeper understanding of Adam’s path to becoming an advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and why standing ...

Video

Counted: Marcia Langton on racism

In this short video, leading Aboriginal figures Marcia Langton and Stan Gran Senior reflect on their experiences of racism. The clip is accompanied by discussion questions that encourage students to consider the lived effects of racism.

Video

ABC Open: Aunty Dorrie and the 'dog licence'

This short video tells of a family's experience of the Certificate of Exemption, issued by the Aboriginal Welfare Board, that allowed Indigenous Australians to live as part of white Australian society. Students hear of the restrictions associated with the certificate and the activism that helped to end them.

Downloadable

Commemorating Anzac through engaging learning

This resource supports quality teaching and learning through specific curriculum learning opportunities to engage students, as well as enhancing whole school and community interactions and events commemorating Anzac. Part of the Bringing communities together series in response to the NSW State Anzac Centenary.

Video

BTN: History of voting

Australia's first parliamentary election was in 1843. What was different about voting then? When and how did that change to resemble elections we have now? This 4-minute video explores three significant dates in Australia’s history of voting and the changes that occurred on those dates.

Video

1967 and a new activism

This short video explores the flow on effects of the 1967 referendum. Students hear that the struggle for land rights became the focus of the next wave of Aboriginal activists, who gained domestic and world attention by erecting a tent embassy on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra.

Interactive

Making a difference

This resource consists of four case studies that explore issues of civics and citizenship at local, state, federal government and international levels and encourage students to plan their own civic acts. The local and state government case studies are most suited to a middle-years' audience while the federal and international ...

Interactive

Magna Carta: The story of our freedom

This is a resource about the Magna Carta (Great Charter) agreed between King John and his rebellious barons in 1215, and its influence on the development of human rights and democratic freedoms to the present day. The resource consists of an animated chronological infographic, a video (4:11 min) with audio description and ...

Video

The Flip Side of Bike Helmets

It's illegal to ride a bike without a helmet in Australia. Sue Abbott and Dr Jake Olivier differ on this issue. This video is designed for students presents both points of view as a stimulus for students to reach their own conclusions. The video discusses how laws are made and explores different points of view on whether ...