Australian Parliament: Structure and Function

Active learning helps students grasp the structure and function of Australian Parliament because it turns abstract concepts like bicameral systems and legislative processes into tangible, memorable experiences. When students role-play roles or analyze real-world examples, they connect textbook knowledge to lived civic experiences, making the topic more relevant and engaging.

• Foundation
• HASS
• 3 activities
• 15 min–30 min

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the two houses of the Australian Parliament and their primary roles.
2. Explain the sequence of steps a proposed law follows to become an Act of Parliament.
3. Compare the functions of the House of Representatives and the Senate in law-making.
4. Describe how different groups can influence the creation of laws.

Ready-to-Use Activities

Gallery Walk

⏱ 30 min·Small Groups

Gallery Walk: Celebration Stations

Set up tables with items from different holidays (e.g., a Diya lamp, a Christmas cracker, a red envelope). Students move in small groups to each table, using their senses to explore the items and guessing what kind of celebration they are for.

Prepare & details

Describe the roles of the House of Representatives and the Senate in the Australian Parliament.

Facilitation Tip: During the Gallery Walk, place a timer at each station so students move at a steady pace and engage with every celebration example before discussion begins.

Setup: Wall space or tables arranged around room perimeter

Materials: Large paper/poster boards, Markers, Sticky notes for feedback

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Create
• Relationship Skills
• Social Awareness

Role Play

⏱ 20 min·Small Groups

Role Play: Preparing for the Big Day

In small groups, students act out the 'preparation' for a special day, such as cleaning the house, cooking a special meal, or putting on traditional clothes. The rest of the class tries to identify the feeling of 'excitement' being portrayed.

Prepare & details

Explain the process of how a bill becomes a law in Australia.

Facilitation Tip: For the Role Play activity, assign roles the day before so students have time to research their character’s responsibilities and the significance of the day they are celebrating.

Setup: Open space or rearranged desks for scenario staging

Materials: Character cards with backstory and goals, Scenario briefing sheet

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Think-Pair-Share

⏱ 15 min·Pairs

Think-Pair-Share: My Favourite Holiday Food

Students think of a food they only eat on a special day. They describe the taste and smell to a partner without naming the food, and the partner tries to imagine it.

Prepare & details

Analyze the importance of checks and balances within the parliamentary system.

Facilitation Tip: In the Think-Pair-Share, explicitly model how to give specific examples of holiday foods and their cultural meanings before students begin their discussions.

Setup: Standard classroom seating; students turn to a neighbor

Materials: Discussion prompt (projected or printed), Optional: recording sheet for pairs

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

Teaching This Topic

Experienced teachers approach this topic by first grounding students in the lived experience of celebrations before introducing formal civic structures. Avoid starting with definitions—use stories, photos, and student experiences to build curiosity. Research shows that students learn civic concepts best when they see themselves as active participants in the system, not just observers.

What to Expect

Successful learning looks like students confidently explaining the roles of the House of Representatives and the Senate, tracing how a bill becomes law, and discussing why Australia’s parliamentary system includes two houses. They should use key terms accurately and connect civic processes to real-world examples they research or role-play.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

During the Gallery Walk activity, watch for students assuming all holidays look the same as the ones they celebrate.

What to Teach Instead

Use the 'Class Celebration Calendar' at the gallery stations. Ask students to note two similarities and two differences between the celebrations they see and their own, then share with a partner before discussing as a class.

Common Misconception

During the Role Play activity, watch for students focusing only on gifts or decorations rather than the stories and traditions behind celebrations.

What to Teach Instead

Provide a 'Tradition Tracker' sheet during role play where students must identify and describe one cultural story, one shared food, and one family ritual for the celebration they are preparing.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

After the Gallery Walk, show students pictures of the House of Representatives and the Senate chambers. Ask them to write down one thing they remember about the job of each house on a sticky note and place it on the corresponding picture. Review notes to check accuracy of role understanding.

Exit Ticket

During the Role Play activity, provide each student with a simple flowchart template showing a bill moving through Parliament. Ask them to fill in the blanks for 'Introduced in House', 'Debated and Voted', 'Goes to Senate', 'Approved by Senate', and 'Becomes Law'. Collect to assess sequencing of the legislative process.

Discussion Prompt

After the Think-Pair-Share activity, pose the question: 'Why do you think Australia has two houses of Parliament instead of just one?' Guide students to discuss the idea of review and different perspectives, linking it to the Senate's role. Record key student ideas on the board to assess their understanding of bicameralism.

Extensions & Scaffolding

• Challenge early finishers to research a celebration from another country and present one unique tradition to the class.
• For students who struggle, provide sentence starters that connect personal experiences to civic language, such as 'When my family celebrates ___, we ____, which reminds me of how Parliament ____.'
• Deeper exploration: Invite a local community leader to share how they use civic knowledge in their work, linking celebrations to broader civic participation.

Key Vocabulary

Parliament	The group of elected people who make laws for Australia. It is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
House of Representatives	One of the two parts of Parliament. Members are elected to represent different areas called electorates. This is often called the 'people's house'.
Senate	The other part of Parliament. Senators are elected to represent entire states or territories. It is often called the 'house of review'.
Bill	A proposed law that has been introduced to Parliament. It must be approved by both the House of Representatives and the Senate before it can become a law.
Law	A rule made by Parliament that everyone in Australia must follow. Once a bill is passed by Parliament and approved, it becomes a law.