Government and the Law Quiz 2026 — Citizenship Practice

Why this quiz matters

• This section is detail-heavy — dates, roles and institutions are easy to mix up.
• Many applicants lose marks on Constitution vs Parliament vs courts.
• Section practice helps you recognise similar multiple-choice answers quickly.
• After drilling, take a full 45-minute mock test to lock in exam pacing.

1. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

   1. How many levels of government are there in Australia?

   Three.Two.Four.

2. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

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

   Federal, state or territory, and local.Federal, courts and police.Senate, Cabinet and councils.

3. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

   3. Who is Australia's Head of State?

   The King of Australia.The Prime Minister.The Governor-General alone.

4. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

   4. Who represents the King of Australia in Australia?

   The Governor-General.The Prime Minister.The Chief Justice.

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   5. Who is the leader of the Australian Government?

   The Prime Minister.The Governor-General.The King.

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   6. What is a Premier?

   The leader of a state government.The leader of the federal government.The leader of a local council.

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   7. What is a Chief Minister?

   The leader of a territory government.The leader of the Senate.The Mayor of Canberra only.

8. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

   8. What type of system is Australia?

   A constitutional monarchy.An absolute monarchy.A military republic.

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   9. What is the Australian Constitution?

   The legal document that sets out the basic rules for the government of Australia.A list of Australian national symbols.A record of Australian history only.

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    10. What did the Australian Constitution establish?

    The Parliament of the Commonwealth and the High Court of Australia.Only local councils.Only state police forces.

11. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    11. How can the Australian Constitution be changed?

    By a referendum of the Australian people.By a decision of the Prime Minister alone.By a police order.

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    12. What is a referendum?

    A vote to change the Australian Constitution.A vote to elect a new Prime Minister.A vote to choose a state premier.

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    13. What is needed for a referendum to change the Constitution?

    A double majority — a majority of voters in a majority of states and a national majority.Approval from the King only.A majority in the Senate only.

14. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    14. What are the three powers divided by the Constitution?

    Legislative, executive and judicial.Federal, state and local.Police, courts and prisons.

15. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    15. What is legislative power?

    The power to make and change laws.The power to put laws into practice.The power to interpret the law.

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    16. What is executive power?

    The power to put laws into practice.The power to make laws in parliament.The power of a jury to decide guilt.

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    17. What is judicial power?

    The power of judges to interpret and apply the law.The power to collect taxes.The power to call an election.

18. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    18. Who has legislative power in Australia?

    Parliament.The police.Local clubs.

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    19. Who is included in the Executive?

    The Prime Minister, government ministers and the Governor-General.Only judges.Only local councillors.

20. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    20. Are courts and judges independent of parliament and government?

    Yes.No.Only in state courts.

21. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    21. What is the name of the Australian Parliament's lower house?

    The House of Representatives.The Senate.The High Court.

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    22. What is another name for the House of Representatives?

    The People's House or Lower House.The States' House.The Cabinet.

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    23. What is the Senate also called?

    The Upper House, House of Review or States' House.The People's House.The Cabinet.

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    24. How many senators are there in total?

    76.150.12.

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    25. How many senators does each state elect?

    12.2.6.

26. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    26. How many senators do the ACT and Northern Territory each elect?

    Two.Twelve.None.

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    27. Are all states equally represented in the Senate?

    Yes, regardless of size or population.No, representation is based on population.Only the largest three states have senators.

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    28. How is the number of MPs for each state and territory in the House of Representatives decided?

    Based on the number of people in that state or territory.Each state gets the same number.Based on land size only.

29. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    29. How is the Australian Government generally formed after a federal election?

    By the party or coalition with the majority of members in the House of Representatives.By the party with the most senators only.By appointment of the High Court.

30. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    30. How is the Prime Minister chosen?

    As the leader of the party or coalition with the most members in the House of Representatives.By a direct vote of all Australians.By the High Court of Australia.

31. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    31. Who forms the Opposition after a federal election?

    The party or coalition with the second largest number of members in the House of Representatives.All independents.The Senate alone.

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    32. What is a proposal for a new law or change to a law called?

    A Bill.A referendum.A portfolio.

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    33. What is Royal Assent?

    The Governor-General signing a Bill so that it becomes law.A vote in the Senate only.A police investigation.

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    34. Which of these is a responsibility of the Australian (federal) Government?

    Defence.Rubbish collection.Local swimming pools.

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    35. Which of these is a responsibility of the Australian (federal) Government?

    Immigration and citizenship.Local footpaths.Food inspection at markets.

36. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    36. Which of these is primarily a state or territory government responsibility?

    Schools and hospitals.Defence.Foreign affairs.

37. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    37. Which of these is primarily a local government responsibility?

    Rubbish collection and local libraries.Defence.Immigration.

38. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    38. Which of these is a responsibility of state and territory governments?

    Police and ambulance services.Airports and air safety.Foreign affairs.

39. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    39. Who maintains peace and order in the community?

    The police.The Senate.Political parties.

40. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    40. What is a role of the police in Australia?

    To protect life and property.To make new laws.To decide court sentences.

41. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    41. Who decides if a person is guilty or not guilty in court?

    The court, and in some cases a jury.The police alone.The Prime Minister.

42. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    42. In a criminal trial, who decides the penalty if a person is found guilty?

    The judge.The jury.The police.

43. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    43. How is voting conducted in Australian elections?

    By secret ballot.By a show of hands in public.By announcing your choice to an official.

44. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    44. Which agency conducts federal elections and referendums?

    The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).The High Court.The Australian Taxation Office.

45. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    45. Is the Australian Electoral Commission independent of the government?

    Yes.No.Only during elections.

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    46. What may happen if you do not vote in an election without a good reason?

    You may have to pay a fine.You lose citizenship.You must leave Australia.

47. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    47. What is one role of the Governor-General?

    Signing Bills passed by Parliament into law.Writing all new laws alone.Leading a political party.

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    48. What is another role of the Governor-General?

    Acting as Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force.Collecting taxes.Running local councils.

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    49. Must the Governor-General remain neutral?

    Yes, the Governor-General is not part of the government and must remain neutral.No, the Governor-General leads the largest party.Only during elections.

50. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    50. Before Federation, what was Australia made up of?

    Six separate, self-governing British colonies.One single colony only.Twelve independent republics.

51. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    51. What is a political party?

    A group of people who share similar ideas about how a country should be governed.A government department.A type of court.

52. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    52. What are parliamentarians called if they do not belong to any political party?

    Independents.Senators only.Premiers.

53. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    53. Are people free to join a political party in Australia?

    Yes, if they choose.No, membership is banned.Only if invited by the Prime Minister.

54. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    54. What is the Cabinet?

    The key decision-making body of government made up of ministers with the most important portfolios.The local council.The jury in a criminal trial.

55. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    55. What is the national police force of Australia called?

    The Australian Federal Police (AFP).State Police United.The Defence Force Police.

56. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    56. Is bribing a police officer a serious crime in Australia?

    Yes, even offering a bribe is a crime.No, it is only a warning.Only if the bribe is accepted.

57. Part 3 - Government and the law in Australia

    57. In Australia, people are considered innocent until when?

    Until they are found guilty in a court.Until the police arrest them.Until a minister decides.

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