Responsibilities
Obey the laws of Australia Our representatives in government make laws to maintain an orderly, free and safe society and to protect our rights. All Australian citizens and other people in Australia must obey the laws of Australia.
More information about some important laws in Australia can be found in Part 3, Government and the law in Australia.
Voting in federal and state or territory elections, and in a referendum Voting is an important responsibility, right and privilege for all Australian citizens aged 18 years or over.
It is a responsibility for Australian citizens aged 18 years or over to vote in federal and state or territory elections, and in a referendum, which is a vote to change the Australian Constitution. By doing this, Australian citizens have a say in how Australia is governed and contribute to its future.
Voting is compulsory in federal and state or territory elections. It may not be compulsory to vote in local government elections in some states.
More information about the Australian Constitution can be found in Part 3, Government and the law in Australia. Defend Australia should the need arise While service in the Australian Defence Force is voluntary, a responsibility for Australian citizens is to defend Australia should the need arise. It is vital that all Australian citizens be committed to joining together to defend the nation and its way of life if necessary.
Serve on a jury if called to do so Jury service, if requested, is a responsibility for Australian citizens aged 18 years or over. A jury is a group of ordinary Australian men and women who listen to the evidence in a court case and decide if a person is guilty or not guilty.
Australian citizens who are on the electoral roll can be called to serve on a jury. Jury service helps to ensure that the court system is open and fair.
Test yourself on this topic
15 questions on this topic, each with the answer explained.
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- Whether the person is guilty or not guilty
- What sentence a guilty person receives
- Whether the case should go to court
- Whether the law itself should change
Explanation: The jury's job is limited to deciding guilt, based on the evidence it hears.
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- It applies only once they turn 25
- It applies only to people born in Australia
- It is a responsibility they should carry out
- It is an offer they may simply ignore
Explanation: Jury service is a duty for citizens aged 18 or over when they are asked, so a 20-year-old citizen is expected to serve.
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- 25 years or over
- 21 years or over
- 16 years or over
- 18 years or over
Explanation: Australian citizens take on the duty to vote once they reach 18.
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- It makes court cases finish more quickly
- It removes the need for judges in some cases
- It lowers the cost of running the courts
- It helps keep the courts open and fair
Explanation: Ordinary people deciding cases keeps the court system open to the community and fair to those on trial.
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- Every election held anywhere in Australia
- Federal parliamentary elections only
- Federal and state or territory elections
- Local government council elections only
Explanation: Voting must be done at federal and state or territory level. Local council voting is not compulsory everywhere.
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- Yes, but only for men during a war
- Yes, for two years after gaining citizenship
- Yes, for all citizens aged 18 to 25
- No, such service is voluntary
Explanation: Joining the Defence Force is a choice, not something citizens are forced to do.
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- A recommendation
- A privilege
- A tradition
- An option
Explanation: Voting is treated as a privilege as well as a right and a responsibility, because not everyone in the country may do it.
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- A small payment for each vote
- A say in how Australia is governed
- The right to set their own taxes
- An exemption from jury service
Explanation: Voting is how citizens influence the way the country is run and shape its future.
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- A group of police officers who check evidence
- A team of lawyers appointed by the court
- A group of ordinary Australian men and women
- A panel of judges chosen by government
Explanation: A jury is made up of ordinary members of the community, not of legal or police professionals.
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- A vote to choose the Prime Minister
- A vote to approve the federal budget
- A vote to elect local councillors
- A vote to change the Constitution
Explanation: A referendum asks voters whether the Australian Constitution should be changed.
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- It is compulsory in every state
- It is closed to new Australian citizens
- It may not be compulsory in some states
- It is open only to people aged over 21
Explanation: Local council voting rules differ, and in some states it is not compulsory.
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- Paying a yearly defence levy
- Registering for call-up at the age of 18
- Being committed to defending the nation
- Training with the Defence Force each year
Explanation: Citizens are expected to be ready to join together to defend Australia and its way of life if that is ever needed.
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- Those who have voted at least once
- Those who are on the electoral roll
- Those who own property in the state
- Those who have lived there five years
Explanation: Jurors are called from the electoral roll, which is the list of enrolled voters.
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- All citizens and other people in Australia
- Only citizens and permanent residents
- Only Australian citizens
- Only people aged 18 years or over
Explanation: The law applies to everyone in Australia, not only to citizens or to adults.
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- To raise more money for government
- To keep society orderly, free and safe
- To decide who may live in each state
- To limit the number of political parties
Explanation: Laws exist to keep society orderly, free and safe, and to protect people's rights.
From Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, the official booklet