5 practice questions with detailed explanations
Parliamentary democracy is the system of government used in Australia. Understanding how parliament works is essential for the citizenship test, as it forms the foundation of Australia's democratic system. The Australian Parliament consists of two houses: the House of Representatives (the lower house) and the Senate (the upper house), together with the King, represented by the Governor-General.
The House of Representatives is where government is formed. The political party or coalition that wins the majority of seats in the House of Representatives forms the government, and its leader becomes the Prime Minister. Members of the House of Representatives represent electoral divisions (electorates) across Australia and are elected for terms of up to three years.
The Senate is often called the "house of review" because its primary role is to review legislation passed by the House of Representatives. Each state has 12 senators, and each territory has 2 senators. Senators serve six-year terms, with half the Senate elected every three years. Understanding the distinct roles of each house — and how they work together to pass laws — is frequently tested in the citizenship exam.