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Humanities and social sciences / Year 6 / Knowledge and Understanding / Civics and citizenship

Curriculum content descriptions

The roles and responsibilities of Australia’s three levels of government (ACHASSK144)

Elaborations
  • clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the three levels of government (local, state/territory and federal)
  • identifying issues where federal and state parliaments both have the power to make laws; recognising that federal law will override the state law if federal and state laws conflict on these issues
  • identifying instances where there may be multiple levels of government involved (for example, in relation to the environment such as management of the Murray-Darling river system)
General capabilities
  • Personal and social capability Personal and social capability
  • Ethical understanding Ethical understanding
ScOT terms

Intergovernmental relations,  Local government,  National government,  State government

Video

Snapshots - three levels of government

This is a video explaining the three levels of government in Australia. It shows teachers and students the roles and responsibilities of each level of government. It is supported with a diagram that illustrates the process and a downloadable fact sheet.

Online

Australian Civics and Citizenship Curriculum Year 6 Unit of Work

This unit of work explores aspects of the Curriculum that deal with key concepts relating to Australia's federal Parliament. The resource is divided into three sections which explore the key institutions of Australia's democratic system of government; the roles and responsibilities of the three levels of government; and ...

Interactive

Federal, state, local

Do your students know what each level of government is responsible for? This interactive game tests their knowledge of the three levels of government in Australia.

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Government

This fact sheet explores the role and functions of the Australian Government, including who is in the government, how it is formed, minority government and the principle of responsible government.

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Three levels of government: governing Australia

In Australia the three levels of government work together to provide us with the services we need. This webpage provides a detailed explanation of the roles and responsibilities of each level, how they raise money and how they work together. Case studies show how the powers of the Australian Parliament have expanded.

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 ...

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Local government

This 2-page resource provides information about the evolution of local government and the responsibilities managed by this level of government.

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Work sample Year 6 HASS F-6: Australia’s Federation

This work sample demonstrates evidence of student learning in relation to aspects of the achievement standards for Year 6 HASS F-6. The primary purpose for the work sample is to demonstrate the standard, so the focus is on what is evident in the sample not how it was created. The sample is an authentic representation of ...

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Ministers and shadow ministers

This fact sheet investigates the work of ministers (members of the Australian Government with special responsibilities) and shadow ministers (members of the opposition who closely examine the work of the government).

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Separation of powers

The principle of the separation of powers distributes the power to govern between the Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary. This fact sheet examines the role of each group and the related principle of responsible government.

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Australian Constitution online

Browse the complete text of the Australian Constitution with this easy-to use website. It includes a detailed overview by the Australian Government Solicitor and a 2:26 min video snapshot about the Constitution and its role in the governance of the Australian nation.

Interactive

Federation

Federation is the process by which six partly self-governing British colonies decided to form a new nation. Australia was created by peaceful means as an Act of the British Parliament—the result of much consideration and debate. This webpage provides a series of resources examining the path to federation. The page includes ...

Online

Australian Constitution

This fact sheet summarises the key features of the Australian Constitution— the set of rules by which Australia is run—and how it can be changed.

Video

Role-play the Parliament: House of Representatives video

This is a video of a law-making role-play in the House of Representatives. This resource supports the year 6 Civics and Citizenship Curriculum. It shows teachers how to turn their classroom into the House of Representatives chamber and how to role-play parts of the law-making process.

Video

Role-play the Parliament: Senate video

This is a video of a law-making role-play in the Senate. This resource supports the year 6 Civics and Citizenship Curriculum. It shows teachers how to turn their classroom into the Senate chamber and how to role-play parts of the law-making process.

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.

Interactive

Australian Parliament history timeline

This interactive timeline explores key milestones in the history of Australia's Parliament that led to federation and how the work of Parliament has influenced Australian democratic development since 1901. The timeline allows users to explore the milestones chronologically or follow thematic trails.

Video

The House In Session, Ep 4: The rules that guide the House of Representatives

Annabel Crabb explains some of the rules that guide the House of Representatives – also known as the Lower House – where Members of Parliament argue about and vote on new laws for Australia. Why would a politician hold paper over his or her head when speaking in the Lower House? What happens when all the clocks in the building ...

Video

The House In Session, Ep 5: Writing amendments in the Senate

The Senate’s job is to "check the work" of the House of Representatives and make sure the laws they’ve made are fair. But what happens when the Senate and the House of Representatives disagree? Annabel Crabb explains the process of writing and approving amendments; the rituals of official business; and how the Lamson tube works.