While appearing for the Australian Citizenship test, connecting the right information will prove to be fruitful in your attempt at becoming an Australian Citizen. Since the Australian Citizenship test requires adequate knowledge of the Government and the law of Australia, so understanding the three levels of Australian Government is precisely for you. The facts stocked up here, if read closely, will ensure you provide the maximum correct answers out of the 20 questions you will be asked to solve.
So you better brace yourself as below information is here to prep you up for your attempt at the Australian Citizenship test.
Federal Government – A summarization for the Australian Citizenship test
The Parliament of the Federal Government of Australia, or the Commonwealth Government, consists of the Crown (represented by the Governor-General) and two Houses: the House of Representatives (the Lower House) and the Senate (the Upper House). Through the medium of the election, 151 Member of Parliament (MPs) are elected, each MP representing a different electorate of the country. Since the electorates are segmented by the population, an area with a larger number of citizens will have more MPs in the Lower house. The political party or amalgam of parties, with the most members in the House of Representatives, forms the Australian Government, the leader being the Prime Minister of Australia. The succeeding political party or coalition then becomes the Opposition, with the leader named the Leader of the Opposition.
The Senate is composed of 76 members, all of whom are called Senators, elected by the States and Territories they represent. Except the Northern and the Australian Capital Territory with two Senators each, the rest of the states have twelve senators.
The Members of Parliament have a term of 3 years while the Senators representing States are to retire in 6 years and the Senators of the Territories are required to resign in 3 years. These varying durations are tricky to remember, so note them down that will help you to memorize in your Australian Citizenship test.
Also, for further preparation for the Australian Citizenship test, remember that the main directive of the Federal Government is to deal with matters concerning foreign affairs, national defense, telecommunications, aviation, immigration, currency, trade, commerce, social services, and similar issues. The House of Representatives focuses on making laws introduced by the government, publicizing government administrations, and controlling government expenditure. The Senate, formed in the first place to add voice to the less populated electorates, is responsible for scrutinizing government activity to reduce the risk of unfair decisions being passed by the Commonwealth Government. The Governor-General signs all Bills passed by the Australian Parliament into law and approves the appointment of the Australian Government and its ministers, federal judges, and other officials.
State and Territory Government – Important Facts for the Australian Citizenship test
State
Each Australia State and Territory has a government of its own with its constitutions. The State Parliament of each of the six States is the jurisdictional body of that State. The head of each State Government is named the Premier, who leads and reconciles with the Ministers appointed by the Prime Minister. The State Government is responsible for the state education and schools, health and hospitals, water supply, transportation, emergency services such as police, ambulance, fire, and even the environmental aspects. To provide a helping hand in the smooth operation of the State, a State Governor is appointed by the Federal Government to each State.
Territory
The 2 main Territories of Australia are self-governed. The leader of the Territory Government is called the Chief Minister. In the Northern Territory, an Administrator is appointed by the Governor-General to work hand-in-hand with the Chief Minister. The function and responsibilities of the Administrator are very similar to a state Governor.
The term for a Territory Government lasts 4 years.
Local Government – Brief description for you to learn before attempting the Australian Citizenship test
Each local area of the State and the Northern Territory has its own governing body referred to as a Council, with a Mayor or Shire President as the leader. The members of the Council are known as Councilors, elected by the citizens of the locality. The Council has the duty of planning and delivering services to their local community. The utilities they provide include street signs, traffic control, local transport, and drainage system, municipality and social services, parks, noise and animal control, community centers, and halls.
Do register that mention of the designations in this article are deliberation and intend to inspire you to pay heed to them for the Australian Citizenship test.
It’s definitely a good idea to read the official study materials, which, by the way, are offered in several languages. But the absolute best way to prepare, as proven by many successful test-takers, is to practice with as many online tests as possible. Here’s 10 random questions from the Australian citizenship test: test yourself!
