Democracy Fundamentals

Simply Democracy

Australian Curriculum Links

Year 5

Civics and Citizenship

Inquiry Questions

  • What is democracy in Australia and why is voting in a democracy important?

  • Why do we have laws and regulations?

  • How and why do people participate in groups to achieve shared goals?

ACHASSK115: The key values that underpin Australia’s democracy. 

ACHASSK116: The key features of the electoral process in Australia.

ACHASSK117: Why regulations and laws are enforced and the personnel involved.

ACHASSK118: How people with shared beliefs and values work together to achieve a civic goal.

Year 6

Civics and Citizenship

Inquiry Questions

  • What are the roles and responsibilities of the different levels of government in Australia?

  • How are laws developed in Australia?

  • What does it mean to be an Australian citizen?

ACHASSK143: The key institutions of Australia’s democratic system of government and how it is based on the Westminster system.

ACHASSK144: The roles and responsibilities of Australia’s three levels of government.

ACHASSK145: The responsibilities of electors and representatives in Australia’s democracy.

ACHASSK146: Where ideas for new laws can come from and how they become law.

ACHASSK147: The shared values of Australian citizenship and the formal rights and responsibilities of Australian citizens.

Year 7

Civics and Citizenship

ACHCK048: The key features of government under the Australian Constitution with a focus on: the separation of powers, the roles of the Executive, the Houses of Parliament, and the division of powers.

ACHCK049: The process for constitutional change through a referendum

Year 8

Civics and Citizenship

ACHCK062: How citizens can participate in Australia’s democracy, including use of the electoral system, contact with their elected representatives, use of lobby groups, and direct action.

ACHCK063: How laws are made in Australia through parliaments (statutory law) and through the courts (common law).


Victorian Curriculum Links

 

Years 5&6

Civics and Citizenship

Government and Democracy

VCCCG008: Discuss the values, principles and institutions that underpin Australia’s democratic forms of government and explain how this system is influenced by the Westminster system.

VCCCG009: Describe the roles and responsibilities of the three levels of government, including shared roles and responsibilities within Australia’s federal system.

VCCCG010: Identify and discuss the key features of the Australian electoral process.

VCCCG011: Identify the roles and responsibilities of electors and representatives in Australia’s democracy.

Laws and Citizenship

VCCCL012: Explain how state/territory and federal laws are initiated and passed through parliament.

Citizenship, Diversity and Identity

VCCCC015: Identify who can be an Australian citizen and describe the rights, responsibilities and shared values of Australian citizenship and explore ways citizens can participate in society.

Years 7&8

Civics and Citizenship

Government and Democracy

VCCCG018: Describe key features of government under the Australian Constitution, including the separation of powers, the Executive, the role of the Houses of Parliament, and the division of powers.

VCCCG020: Explain how citizens can participate in Australia's democracy, including the use of the electoral system, contact with their elected representatives, use of lobby groups, interest groups and direct action.

VCCCG021: Describe the process of constitutional change through a referendum.