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A by-election is held when the member of parliament who represents that electorate retires or dies, or can no longer hold office. They occur before the MP's elected term is complete. By-elections contest only the single affected seat and often serve as a gauge of public sentiment between general elections.

The senior decision-making body of the government, made up of the Prime Minister (or Premier/Chief Minister at state level) and senior ministers. Cabinet meetings are confidential and decisions are binding on all members through the principle of collective responsibility — ministers must publicly support cabinet decisions even if they disagreed in the room.

A person who puts themselves forward to contest an election for a seat in a federal, state, or territory parliament.

Australia is one of very few democracies in the world that requires eligible citizens to attend a polling place and have their name marked off on election day. Compulsory voting was introduced for federal elections in 1924, prompted by a low voter turnout at the 1922 federal election. Failure to vote without a valid excuse can result in a small fine.

A vote in parliament in which members are free to vote according to their own judgement or beliefs, and not necessarily according to the guidelines, policies or decisions of their political party. Conscience votes are rare and are typically reserved for matters of deep ethical or moral significance, such as voluntary assisted dying or marriage law reform.

A sheet of paper containing candidate names and political parties upon which voters mark their preferences in an election. In Australian federal elections there are two ballot papers — one for the House of Representatives, and one for the Senate. The design and ordering of candidates on the ballot paper is determined by a draw conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission.

A formal vote in parliament where members physically divide — moving to either the "Ayes" or "Noes" side of the chamber — so their individual votes can be counted and recorded. Divisions are called when a simple voice vote is unclear or when a member challenges the result.

In parliament, this is the party or coalition of parties with majority support in the lower house and therefore able to govern. The government controls the legislative agenda, introduces the budget, and appoints ministers to administer government departments. The term is also used to describe the executive arm of the state more broadly.

The Governor-General is the King's representative at the federal level, and Governors serve the equivalent role in each state. In normal practice these are largely ceremonial roles, but they carry significant constitutional powers including the formal appointment of the Prime Minister, the swearing-in of ministers, and the granting of royal assent to legislation.

An alteration to a bill or Act. Amendments can be proposed by any member of parliament during the committee or consideration-in-detail stage of the legislative process. Upper houses in particular make frequent use of amendments to modify legislation before passing it back to the lower house.