Part 3: Government and the law in Australia – practice questions

Updated 12 October 2026

Part 3 of Our Common Bond explains how Australia is governed and how the law works. It covers the Constitution and referendums; the King, the Governor-General and constitutional monarchy; the three arms of government; Parliament, with the House of Representatives and the Senate; the three levels of government; voting; and the courts, the police and the law.

Below are 10 sample questions from our practice tests, with answers and explanations. They are a taste of the topic, not a full test. To practise under test conditions, start a full practice test at the end of this page.

10 sample questions on Part 3

1. How can the Australian Constitution be changed?

  1. By a decision of the Prime Minister
  2. Only through a referendum, a vote of the Australian people
  3. By a vote in the Senate alone
Show answer
Answer: B. Only through a referendum, a vote of the Australian people
Why: The Australian people can change the Constitution only by voting in a referendum, which requires a 'double majority' to pass: a majority of voters nationally, and a majority of voters in a majority of the states.

2. What is a 'double majority' in a referendum?

  1. A majority of voters nationally and a majority of voters in a majority of the states
  2. Two-thirds of all votes
  3. A majority in both houses of parliament
Show answer
Answer: A. A majority of voters nationally and a majority of voters in a majority of the states
Why: For a referendum to change the Constitution, there must be a double majority: a majority of voters across the nation, and a majority of voters in a majority of the states.

3. Who is Australia's Head of State?

  1. The Prime Minister
  2. The Governor-General
  3. The King of Australia, His Majesty King Charles III
Show answer
Answer: C. The King of Australia, His Majesty King Charles III
Why: Australia's Head of State is the King of Australia, His Majesty King Charles III. The Governor-General is the King's representative in Australia, and the Prime Minister is the head of the Australian Government.

4. Who is the King's representative in Australia?

  1. The Prime Minister
  2. The Governor-General
  3. The Chief Justice
Show answer
Answer: B. The Governor-General
Why: The Governor-General is the King's representative in Australia. In each state, a Governor represents the King.

5. Which of these are the three arms (powers) of government in Australia?

  1. Legislative, executive and judicial
  2. Federal, commercial and legal
  3. Police, army and courts
Show answer
Answer: A. Legislative, executive and judicial
Why: Power is divided between three arms: legislative power (Parliament makes and changes laws), executive power (the Prime Minister, ministers and Governor-General put laws into practice), and judicial power (courts interpret and apply the law independently).

6. What are the two houses of the Australian Parliament?

  1. The Cabinet and the Ministry
  2. The Upper Court and the Lower Court
  3. The House of Representatives and the Senate
Show answer
Answer: C. The House of Representatives and the Senate
Why: The Australian Parliament is made up of two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Both houses debate and vote on proposed new laws (Bills).

7. How many senators in total sit in the Australian Senate?

  1. 150
  2. 76
  3. 100
Show answer
Answer: B. 76
Why: There is a total of 76 senators: 12 from each of the six states and 2 each from the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.

8. What are the three levels of government in Australia?

  1. Federal, state/territory and local
  2. National, royal and municipal
  3. Parliament, cabinet and courts
Show answer
Answer: A. Federal, state/territory and local
Why: Australia has three levels of government: the Australian (federal) Government, state and territory governments, and local governments (councils).

9. What is the leader of a state government called?

  1. The Chief Minister
  2. The Governor-General
  3. The Premier
Show answer
Answer: C. The Premier
Why: The leader of a state government is the Premier. The leader of a territory government is the Chief Minister, and a Governor represents the King in each state.

10. Is voting compulsory in Australian federal elections?

  1. No, voting is optional for everyone
  2. Yes, voting is compulsory for citizens aged 18 years or over
  3. It is compulsory only for people born in Australia
Show answer
Answer: B. Yes, voting is compulsory for citizens aged 18 years or over
Why: Voting in federal and state or territory elections is compulsory for Australian citizens aged 18 years or over. If you do not vote and do not have a good reason, you may have to pay a fine.

Key terms in Part 3

Constitution
The legal document that sets out the basic rules for the government of Australia.
Referendum
A vote by all Australian voters on a proposed change to the Constitution. It is the only way to change it.
Double majority
A referendum passes only with a majority of voters nationally and a majority of voters in a majority of the states.
Constitutional monarchy
The King is Australia’s Head of State but must act according to the Constitution. The Governor-General represents the King in Australia.
Three arms of government
Legislative (Parliament makes laws), executive (puts laws into action) and judicial (courts interpret and apply the law).
House of Representatives and Senate
The two houses of the Australian Parliament. Each state elects 12 senators and each mainland territory elects 2.
Royal Assent
When the Governor-General signs a Bill passed by both houses, so it becomes law.
Three levels of government
Federal, state or territory, and local (councils).
Premier and Chief Minister
The leader of a state government is the Premier. The leader of a territory government is the Chief Minister.
Compulsory voting and secret ballot
Citizens aged 18 or over must enrol and vote. No one is allowed to know whom you voted for.

Read Part 3, “Government and the law in Australia”, in full in the free testable booklet from Home Affairs (PDF). Then try the other parts: Part 1, Part 2, Part 4 (values).

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