HASS · Year 6 · Democratic Values · Term 2

Understanding Australia's Three Levels of Government

Differentiate between the roles and responsibilities of Federal, State/Territory, and Local governments in Australia.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9HASS6K05

About This Topic

The Three Levels of Government introduces students to the structure of the Australian political system: Federal, State/Territory, and Local. Students learn how responsibilities are divided, from national issues like defence and currency to state-level services like hospitals and schools, down to local matters like rubbish collection and parks. This topic is essential for developing civic literacy and understanding how the 'division of powers' prevents any one group from having total control.

By exploring the specific roles of each level, students begin to see how government decisions affect their daily lives. This connects to ACARA standards in Civics and Citizenship regarding the functions of government in Australia. Students grasp this concept faster through structured discussion and peer explanation, especially when they can categorise real-world problems and decide which level of government is responsible for fixing them.

Key Questions

1. Compare the primary responsibilities of Federal, State, and Local governments in Australia.
2. Explain why a multi-level government system is beneficial for a diverse nation like Australia.
3. Analyze how a specific local issue might be addressed by different levels of government.

Learning Objectives

• Compare the primary responsibilities of Federal, State/Territory, and Local governments in Australia.
• Explain the benefits of a multi-level government system for a diverse nation.
• Analyze how different levels of government could address a specific local issue.
• Classify examples of government services according to the level of government responsible.

Before You Start

Community Roles and Responsibilities

Why: Students need a foundational understanding of how different people and groups contribute to their community before examining government structures.

Basic Concepts of Rules and Laws

Why: Understanding that rules and laws govern behaviour is essential for grasping the purpose and function of government.

Key Vocabulary

Federal Government	The national government of Australia, responsible for issues affecting the entire country, such as defence, currency, and immigration.
State/Territory Government	The government responsible for services within a specific state or territory, including hospitals, schools, and public transport.
Local Government	The government responsible for services within a local area, such as waste collection, parks, libraries, and local roads.
Division of Powers	The system of allocating responsibilities between different levels of government to ensure no single level has absolute authority.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

The Federal Government is the 'boss' of the other levels.

What to Teach Instead

While the Federal government is national, each level has its own specific powers defined by the Constitution or state law. Active sorting of 'exclusive' versus 'shared' powers helps students understand this partnership.

Common Misconception

The Prime Minister is responsible for everything, including my local school.

What to Teach Instead

Education is primarily a State responsibility. Using a 'Who do I call?' flowchart helps students identify that different leaders handle different issues.

Active Learning Ideas

Stations Rotation: The Responsibility Sort

Set up three stations (Federal, State, Local). Students are given 'problem cards' (e.g., 'The local playground is broken', 'We need a new navy ship') and must move to the correct station to 'file' their request.

45 min·Small Groups

Inquiry Circle: My Local Council

Students use local government websites to find the name of their Mayor and one recent project the council has completed. They share their findings in a 'community board' style display.

40 min·Pairs

Role Play: The Inter-Government Meeting

Students act as representatives from each level of government who must work together to plan a major event, like the Olympics. They must negotiate who pays for the stadium (State), the security (Federal), and the local road closures (Local).

50 min·Small Groups

Real-World Connections

• When a new hospital is planned or funded, it is often the State or Territory government that takes the lead, working with local health boards. This contrasts with the Federal government's role in national health policies and funding agreements.
• Local councils, like the City of Sydney or Brisbane City Council, are responsible for maintaining local parks, approving building permits for new homes, and managing waste collection services that directly impact residents' daily lives.
• National road infrastructure projects, such as the Pacific Highway upgrade, are typically funded and managed by the Federal government, while State governments manage major state highways, and Local governments maintain smaller, local roads.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

Provide students with three scenarios: 'Building a new school', 'Collecting household rubbish', and 'Declaring war'. Ask students to write which level of government (Federal, State, or Local) is primarily responsible for each scenario and one reason why.

Quick Check

Display a list of services (e.g., 'Operating a public library', 'Managing Medicare', 'Maintaining local playgrounds'). Ask students to hold up fingers representing the level of government responsible: 1 for Local, 2 for State, 3 for Federal. Discuss any disagreements.

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Imagine your local park needs a new playground. Which level of government would you contact first, and why? What if the playground equipment was unsafe due to faulty manufacturing? Which level might then become involved?' Guide students to analyze the roles of different government levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we need three levels of government?

Australia is a huge country with diverse needs. Having three levels ensures that national issues (like trade) are handled centrally, while local issues (like your street lights) are handled by people who actually live in your community and understand the local area.

Which level of government is the most important?

None is 'more important' than the others; they are just different. The Federal government handles big-picture things for the whole country, while Local government handles the things that affect your daily life most directly, like parks and libraries.

How do the different levels get their money?

The Federal government collects income tax. State governments get money from the Federal government and taxes like stamp duty. Local councils get most of their money from 'rates' paid by people who own property in the area.

How can active learning help students understand the levels of government?

Active learning, such as a 'Responsibility Scavenger Hunt' around the school or local area, makes the abstract concept of government concrete. When students have to decide which level of government to write a letter to about a specific issue, they are using critical thinking to apply their knowledge to the real world.