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A national vote by the public used to propose a change to the Australian Constitution. For a referendum to succeed, it must achieve a double majority — a national majority of all voters, plus a majority of voters in at least four of the six states. Australia has held 44 referendums since Federation, with only eight achieving the double majority required for passage.

A foundational principle of Australian democracy whereby the executive government (the Prime Minister and ministers) must maintain the confidence of the elected lower house of parliament in order to govern. If the government loses a vote of no confidence, it is expected to resign or call an election. Responsible government also requires that ministers be accountable to parliament for the actions of their departments, and that they answer questions and provide information to parliament on those matters.

Where the Governor (in the case of the states) or the Governor-General (in the case of the Commonwealth) signs a bill, formally making it an Act of Parliament. Royal assent is the final step in the legislative process and is almost always granted as a matter of course, though in theory the representative of the Crown retains the power to withhold it.

A seat where the winning candidate consistently receives a strong majority of the vote — typically above 60 per cent — making it unlikely to change hands under normal electoral conditions. Safe seats are sometimes described as "blue ribbon" seats when held by the same party over a very long period, and candidates in them tend to have secure parliamentary careers.

One of the two houses of federal parliament, often called the upper house or house of review. There are 76 senators — 12 from each of the six states and two each from the ACT and NT. Because senators represent whole states rather than individual electorates, the Senate often includes a wider range of minor parties and independents, giving it a distinct role in scrutinising government legislation.

The constitutional principle that the three branches of government — the legislature (parliament, which makes laws), the executive (the government and public service, which administers and implements laws), and the judiciary (the courts, which interpret and apply laws) — should operate independently of one another.

An opposition member appointed to scrutinise a specific government minister and their portfolio, develop the opposition's alternative policy position, and hold the minister to account in parliament. Shadow ministers form the opposition's shadow cabinet and would take on the corresponding portfolio if their party won government.

The difference between the performance of a candidate or party at one election compared to a previous election, expressed as a percentage. A swing can move toward (positive swing) or away from (negative swing) a party. Analysts use swings to identify broader trends and assess whether particular seats are at risk of changing hands.

A member of a political party in each house of parliament who organises members' attendance and their participation in divisions and debates. The Whip is a key internal party role, responsible for ensuring that enough members are present for votes and that party discipline is maintained. The term originates from fox hunting, where the "whipper-in" kept the hounds together.

A formal document issued by the Governor-General (federally) or Governor (at state level) commanding an electoral officer to hold an election. When an election is called, writs set in motion the official timeline for the electoral process, including the periods for candidate nominations, the polling date, and the return of results to the issuing authority.