The Three Levels of Government in Australia, Explained

The three levels of government in Australia

Which level of government does what is one of the most reliably tested parts of Our Common Bond, and the questions are usually a straight matching exercise. This is the whole split in one page.

Quick answer

Australia has three levels of government. The Australian Government handles national matters such as defence, immigration and citizenship, taxation and social security. State and territory governments run hospitals, schools, police and major roads. Local councils handle rubbish collection, local roads, parks and libraries.

Key takeaways

Federal: defence, foreign affairs, immigration and citizenship, taxation, social security, postal services.
State and territory: hospitals, schools, police and ambulance, roads and railways, public transport.
Local: rubbish collection, local roads and footpaths, parks and pools, libraries, building permits.
Each state has its own parliament and constitution, and a Governor representing the King.
States have rights recognised by the Constitution; territories do not.

The Australian Government

The national level is responsible for:

Taxation and national economic management
Immigration and citizenship
Defence and foreign affairs
Social security, including pensions and family support
Postal services and the communications network
Airports and air safety, and trade and commerce

State and territory governments

Each state has its own parliament and its own constitution, and each is based in its capital city. In every state a Governor represents the King of Australia; in the Northern Territory that role is filled by an Administrator appointed by the Governor-General.

They are primarily responsible for:

Hospitals and health services
Schools
Police and ambulance services
Roads and railways, forestry and public transport

States are not the same as territories

This distinction is worth learning because it is easy to ask a question about. States have rights recognised by the Constitution and can pass laws in their own right. Territories do not: the laws of a self-governing territory can be altered or revoked by the Australian Government at any time.

Local government

Local government areas may be called cities, shires, towns or municipalities. Councils plan and deliver services for their own community, and residents of each area vote to elect their councillors. They are responsible for:

Rubbish collection
Local roads, footpaths and bridges, street signs and traffic controls
Parks, playgrounds, swimming pools and sports grounds
Local libraries, halls and community centres, and building permits

Chapter test: government and the law

Test yourself on this

Reading it once is not the same as being able to answer it. The chapter test uses the same format as the real Australian Citizenship Test.

Take the chapter test Free practice test 1 All questions on this topic

Free to read, always

Questions on this topic

Every question here was checked by hand against Our Common Bond. How we check

1.Which level of government is responsible for immigration and citizenship?
- ALocal governments
- BThe Australian Government
- CThe High Court
- DState and territory governments
The Australian Government is responsible for immigration and citizenship. (What the three levels of government do)
Think this is wrong? Tell us
2.What does each Australian state government have of its own?
- AIts own High Court
- BIts own parliament and constitution
- CIts own head of state
- DIts own currency and defence force
Each state government has its own parliament and constitution. (State, territory and local government)
Think this is wrong? Tell us
3.Which level of government is responsible for defence?
- ALocal governments
- BThe Governor-General
- CThe Australian Government
- DState and territory governments
The Australian Government is responsible for defence and foreign affairs. (What the three levels of government do)
Think this is wrong? Tell us
4.Who is appointed by the Governor-General in the Northern Territory?
- AAn Administrator
- BA Chief Justice
- CA Governor
- DA Premier
In the Northern Territory an Administrator is appointed by the Governor-General. (State, territory and local government)
Think this is wrong? Tell us
5.Which level of government is responsible for schools?
- ASchool boards alone
- BThe Australian Government
- CState and territory governments
- DLocal governments
State and territory governments are primarily responsible for schools. (What the three levels of government do)
Think this is wrong? Tell us
6.What is the difference between the states and the territories?
- AStates are governed directly by the Commonwealth
- BStates have rights recognised by the Constitution while territories do not
- CTerritories elect more senators than the states do
- DTerritories hold more power to pass laws than states
States have rights recognised by the Constitution while territories do not. (State, territory and local government)
Think this is wrong? Tell us