Federal Government
A plain-English guide to Australia’s national parliament - how the two houses work, how government is formed, and why federal elections shape the whole country.
The Federal Government
Australia’s national parliament sits in Canberra and is made up of two houses, the House of Representatives and Senate. Together they pass the laws that govern the whole nation - from defence and immigration to Medicare and income tax.
This page explains how the federal parliament works, how governments are formed, and why the House of Representatives and the Senate each play a different role in Australia’s democracy.
How to use this guide
This page focuses on the federal parliament - its two houses, how laws are made, and how governments are formed. For state parliaments, see Part 3. For a detailed explanation of voting systems, see Part 5.
1. Overview · 2. Federal Government · 3. States & Territories · 4. Local Government · 5. Voting Systems
A Bicameral Parliament
The federal Parliament of Australia has two chambers — a lower house and an upper house. This two-chamber arrangement is called a bicameral system. Each chamber has a different composition, is elected differently, and serves a different purpose.
In the Westminster tradition, the lower house is the primary chamber: it is where governments are formed and where most legislation originates. The upper house acts as a check - reviewing, amending, and sometimes blocking legislation passed by the lower house.
House of Representatives
The lower house — sometimes called the “people’s house”.
- Seats: 150
- Term: Up to 3 years
- Represents: Individual electorates
- Voting system: Preferential voting
- Elected by: All enrolled Australian voters
The Senate
The upper house — sometimes called the “states’ house”.
- Seats: 76 total
- Breakdown: 12 per state, 2 each for ACT and NT
- Seanator Term: 6 years for state representatives, 3 years for territories
- Represents: States and territories as units
- Voting system: Proportional representation
Why two houses?
The Senate was designed to protect the smaller states. In the House of Representatives, seats are allocated by population, meaning the larger states dominate numerically. In the Senate, every state gets the same 12 seats regardless of population, giving smaller states equal weight. This was one of the key conditions of federation.
The House of Representatives
The 150 members of the House of Representatives each represent a single electorate, also called a seat or division. Electorates are drawn to contain roughly equal numbers of enrolled voters, so as Australia’s population shifts, boundaries are periodically redrawn by the Australian Electoral Commission.
Each member represents the people of their electorate, debates and votes on proposed laws, questions ministers, and raises their constituents’ interests in Canberra.
How it works
Most bills originate in the House of Representatives before being sent to the Senate for review. To become law, a bill must pass both houses and receive Royal Assent from the Governor-General.
Voting system — Preferential voting
House of Representatives elections use preferential voting. Voters rank all candidates in order of preference, rather than choosing only one. This is designed to ensure the winning candidate has majority support after preferences are distributed.
The Senate
The Senate’s 76 senators do not represent individual electorates. They represent their entire state or territory. This gives the Senate its character as a states’ house and makes it harder for a single party to dominate, because seats are allocated proportionally.
Senate terms and half-Senate elections
State senators serve six-year terms, staggered so that only half the state Senate seats come up for election at a federal election. This means the Senate is never entirely replaced at once. Territory senators serve three-year terms and are always elected alongside the House of Representatives.
In rare circumstances, such as a double dissolution, all Senate seats are contested at once.
Voting system — Proportional representation
Senate elections use proportional representation, which allows smaller parties and independents to win seats more easily than in winner-takes-all lower-house contests. Voters can vote "above the line" or "below the line".
How Government Is Formed
Winning an election is not exactly the same as forming government
An election determines the composition of parliament. Forming government happens afterward, when the Governor-General commissions someone to lead the government. Usually, the party or coalition that wins a majority in the House of Representatives forms government - but not always.
1. Election is held
All 150 House seats are contested, and results are counted over election night and the following days.
2. Majority check
A party or coalition needs at least 76 seats in the House to govern in its own right.
3. Hung parliament
If no side reaches 76 seats, the result is a hung parliament and negotiations with independents or minor parties may decide who governs.
4. Prime Minister commissioned
Once it is clear who can command the confidence of the House, the Governor-General commissions that person as Prime Minister.
5. Confidence and supply
The government must maintain confidence in the House and be able to pass supply, meaning its budget.
The Coalition
Australia’s conservative side of politics has historically operated through a formal coalition between the Liberal Party and the National Party. These parties contest separate electorates but govern together when they win enough seats.
Election timing
Federal elections must be held at least once every three years. The precise timing is chosen by the Prime Minister, who advises the Governor-General to call the election. Polling day is always a Saturday.
Voting is compulsory for enrolled Australian citizens aged 18 and over, helping produce turnout rates above 90%.
The Prime Minister and Cabinet
Australia’s executive government - the people who actually run the country day to day - is centred on the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Cabinet consists of the senior ministers who head major departments such as Health, Defence, and Treasury.
The Prime Minister is not directly elected by voters. They are the leader of the party or coalition that commands a majority in the House of Representatives. A party can change its leader, and therefore the Prime Minister, without a general election.
Below Cabinet are outer ministers and assistant ministers, who help manage specific policy areas.