Understanding Australian Government Structure in Year 7-8

Australia's government operates at three levels: federal (national), state/territory, and local. Understanding how these levels work and interact is fundamental to civic literacy for Year 7-8 students.

This unit explores the structure, responsibilities, and decision-making at each level.

The federal government is responsible for matters that affect the whole nation:

• Parliament House: Located in Canberra, home of the Australian Parliament
• The Parliament: Two houses—House of Representatives and Senate
• Responsibilities: National defense, foreign affairs, national laws, taxation, social security
• The Prime Minister: Leader of the government
• Political parties: Government and opposition compete for power

Each state and territory has its own government:

• Australia has six states and two territories
• Each has a Premier (states) or Chief Minister (territories)
• State governments handle education, health, law and order, transport
• States also have legislatures that make state-specific laws

Compare how different states have approached particular issues (education policy, health responses, etc.).

Local government serves the community at the grassroots level:

• Councils: Made up of elected councillors and a mayor
• Responsibilities: Local roads, waste management, libraries, parks and recreation, local planning
• Rates: Councils fund services through property rates
• Community connection: Councils are closest to local communities

Have students research their local council: What do they govern? Who is their mayor? What issues are they currently addressing?

Understanding the legislative process is important for civic literacy:

• Bills are introduced to Parliament
• Debates occur about the proposed law
• Multiple readings and committee reviews
• Voting in both houses
• Governor-General's assent (formal approval)
• Law comes into effect

Use a simplified bill (or create a class bill) to walk through the process. What needs to happen for a law to be made?

Assess understanding through:

• Create a diagram showing three government levels and their responsibilities
• Prepare a presentation about a specific governmental function
• Debate a current policy issue from different perspectives
• Research and present about your local council and current issues
• Trace a hypothetical bill through Parliament to understand the legislative process