Three levels of government
Australia has federal, state or territory, and local government, and each looks after different things. A common question names a service, such as rubbish collection or defence, and asks which level is responsible.
What to remember
- Federal: tax, economy, immigration & citizenship, defence, foreign affairs, social security, postal & communications, trade, airports.
- State/territory: hospitals, schools, roads & railways, police & ambulance, public transport, forestry.
- Local: rubbish collection, local roads, parks, libraries, building permits, drains, noise & animal control, food inspection.
Sample questions
Which level of government is responsible for defence?Show answer
- Local governments
- The Australian Government
- State and territory governments
The Australian Government. Defence is an Australian Government responsibility, along with taxation, immigration and citizenship, foreign affairs and social security.
Which level of government is mainly responsible for hospitals and schools?Show answer
- Local governments
- The Australian Government
- State and territory governments
State and territory governments. State and territory governments are primarily responsible for hospitals and health services, schools, roads and railways, forestry, police and ambulance services, and public transport.
Which level of government is responsible for rubbish collection?Show answer
- The Australian Government
- State governments
- Local government
Local government. Local governments are responsible for rubbish collection, local roads and footpaths, parks, libraries, building permits and more.
Source: Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, p. 29. Read the full booklet on the Home Affairs website.