Government and Politics of Australia

Government Type

democratic, federal-state system recognizing the British monarch as sovereign

Administrative Divisions

6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Legal System

based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen or permanent resident of Australia dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 4 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: King of Australia CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022), represented by Governor General Sam MOSTYN (since 1 July 2024) head of government: Prime Minister Anthony ALBANESE (since 23 May 2022); Deputy Prime Minister Richard MARLES (since 23 May 2022) cabinet: prime minister nominates, from among members of Parliament, candidates who are subsequently sworn in by the governor general to serve as government ministers elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is sworn in as prime minister by the governor general note: the ruling government coalition consists of the Australian Labor Party, which holds a majority in the House of Representatives

Legislative Branch

Bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats — 12 from each of the six states and 2 from each of the two mainland territories; one-half of state members are elected every three years by popular vote to serve six-year terms, while all territory members are elected every three years by popular vote to serve three-year terms) and the House of Representatives (151 seats; members elected by preferential voting to serve terms of up to three years; no state can have fewer than 5 representatives). Elections: Senate — last held 21 May 2022 (next to be held no later than May 2025); House of Representatives — last held 21 May 2022 (next to be held no later than May 2025). Election results: Senate — seats by party — Australian Labor Party 26, Liberal Party 24, Australian Greens 11, National Party 6, One Nation 2, Liberal Democratic Party 1, Jacqui Lambie Network 2, United Australia Party 1, independents 3; House of Representatives — seats by party — Australian Labor Party 77, Liberal Party 38, National Party 16, Australian Greens 4, independents and others 16.

Judicial Branch

High Court (the chief justice and six other justices are appointed by the governor general)

Political Parties

Australian Democrats [Lyn ALLISON]; Australian Greens [Bob BROWN]; Australian Labor Party [Kim BEAZLEY]; Country Liberal Party [Jodeen CARNEY]; Family First Party [Steve FIELDING]; Liberal Party [John Winston HOWARD]; The Nationals [Mark VAILE]

Head of State

King of Australia CHARLES III, represented by Governor General Sam MOSTYN

Head of Government

Prime Minister Anthony ALBANESE

Cabinet

prime minister nominates, from among members of Parliament, candidates who are subsequently sworn in by the governor general to serve as government ministers

Elections

Senate — last held 21 May 2022 (next to be held no later than May 2025); House of Representatives — last held 21 May 2022 (next to be held no later than May 2025).

Election Results

Senate — seats by party — Australian Labor Party 25, Liberal Party 24, Australian Greens 11, National Party 7, One Nation 2, Jacqui Lambie Network 2, David Pocock (independent) 1, Libertarian Party 1, independents and others 4; House of Representatives — seats by party — Australian Labor Party 77, Liberal Party 38, National Party 16, Australian Greens 4, independents and others 16.

Constitution

9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901

Independence

1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies)

National Holiday

Australia Day, 26 January (1788)

International Organization Participation

ANZUS, APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CP, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, Paris Club, PCA, PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMEE, UNMISET, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Dennis J. RICHARDSON chancery: 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 797-3000 FAX: [1] (202) 797-3168 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires ad interim William A. STANTON embassy: Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600 mailing address: APO AP 96549 telephone: [61] (02) 6214-5600 FAX: [61] (02) 6214-5970 consulate(s) general: Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Capital City

Canberra

Location

35 16 S, 149 08 E

Time Difference

UTC+10 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: Australia has four time zones, including Lord Howe Island (UTC+10:30)

History

the name is claimed to derive from either Kambera or Camberry, which are names corrupted from the original native designation for the area "Nganbra" or "Nganbira"

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) or Queanbeyan: U.S. Embassy in Canberra Moonah Place Yarralumla, ACT 2600 Telephone: (61) (2) 6214- 5600 Emergency after-hours telephone: (61) (2) 411-424-608 Facsimile: (61) (2) 6214-5970 NOTE: The U.S. Embassy in Canberra only provides emergency assistance for U.S. citizens in the ACT. The U.S. Embassy does not issue U.S. passports or visas. Passports and other routine citizen services for Canberra and the rest of the ACT are provided by the U.S. Consulate General in Sydney (see contact information below). New South Wales, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island, and Queensland: U.S. Consulate General Sydney Level 10, MLC Centre, 19-29 Martin Place, Sydney, NSW 2000 Telephone: (61) (2) 9373-9200 Emergency after-hours telephone: (61) (2) 4422-2201 Facsimile: (61) (2) 9373-9184 Email: SydneyACS@state.gov NOTE: The Consulate General offers an online appointment system for U.S. citizens seeking routine non-emergency services such as registration, passport, and other consular services. To make an appointment, visit their website. Hours open to the public: 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Monday to Friday (except U.S. and Australian holidays and the first Wednesday of each month). For emergency services (e.g., the arrest, death, or serious injury of a U.S. citizen) after 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, holidays and weekends, please call (61) (2) 4422-2201. Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and the Northern Territory: U.S. Consulate General Melbourne 553 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004 Telephone: (61) (3) 9526-5900 Emergency after-hours telephone: (61) (3) 9389-3601 Facsimile: (61) (3) 9525-0769 Email: MelbourneACS@state.gov NOTE: The U.S. Consulate General offers an online appointment system for U.S. citizens seeking routine non-emergency services such as registration, passport, and other consular services. To make an appointment, visit their website. Hours open to the public: 8:00 am – 3:30 pm Monday to Friday. All services other than emergencies require an appointment. For emergency services (e.g., the arrest, death, or serious injury of a U.S. citizen) after 4:30 p.m. or on holidays and weekends, please call (61) (3) 9389-3601. Western Australia: U.S. Consulate General Perth 16 St. Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000 Telephone: (61)(8) 6144- 5100 Emergency after-hours telephone: (61) (8) 9476-0081 Facsimile: (61)(8) 9231-9444 Email: PerthACS@state.gov NOTE: The Consulate General offers an online appointment system for U.S. citizens seeking routine non-emergency services such as registration, passport, and other consular services. To make an appointment, please visit the Consulate's website. Hours open to the public for American Citizen Services: 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Monday through Thursday. For emergency services (e.g., the arrest, death, or serious injury of a U.S. citizen) outside of business hours, please call (61) (8) 9476-0081.

Military Branches

Australian Defense Force (ADF): Australian Army; Royal Australian Navy (includes Naval Aviation Force); Royal Australian Air Force; Joint Operations Command (JOC)

Service Age and Obligation

17 years of age for voluntary military service (with parental consent); no conscription; women allowed to serve in most combat roles, except the Army special forces