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Politics isn't just for politicians

There are many ways for you to contribute to your community beyond running for office. Becoming a more active citizen contributes to the health of our democracy. But how do you get started?

We can help you with the tools on how to get involved, speak up, take action, and influence decisions, no matter your experience.

We know that women are already leaders at home, at work and in their communities. Critically, when women step into political conversations, even in small ways, policies shift. We want your voice to be heard.

How you can get involved

Not everyone wants to run. There are plenty of other powerful ways to make an impact.

Start where you are

Political engagement isn’t about being perfect or knowing everything. It’s about showing up. One action at a time builds momentum, confidence, and change – and we can help.

Start by learning more about Australia’s political process.

Advocating for change

How Women Can Be Everyday Advocates for Change

The Opportunity

It takes all sorts of women to help reshape the political landscape. There’s a role for you whether you’re ready to step into the role of a candidate, whether you can see yourself as a campaign manager, or a volunteer on a campaign team helping other women to get elected, or you simply want to be a more active citizen.

SEPARATION OF POWERS

Like many democracies, Australia separates power into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The below examples focus on the federal level of government, but separation of powers also occurs at the state and territory level

Legislative Branch (Parliament)

The Australian Parliament makes the laws. It has two houses

House of Representatives: Members are elected from districts (or electorates) across the country – as of the 2025 federal election there are 151 electorates across the country. The political party or coalition with the most seats forms the government, either by themselves (if they have a majority) or in partnership with others (in the case of a minority government). The Prime Minister is the leader of the governing party in the House of Representatives and is not directly elected by voters.

Senate: Represents the states equally, with each state electing 12 Senators regardless of population size. Each territory is represented by 2 Senators. The Senate is known as the ‘house of review’ and is charged with carefully considering legislation passed by the House of Representatives.

Executive Branch

This branch enforces the laws and is led by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet (comprising of senior ministers). The Governor-General, appointed by the King on the advice of the Prime Minister, represents the monarchy in Australia and performs formal duties such as giving royal assent to legislation.

Judicial Branch

Australia’s High Court and other federal courts interpret the law and ensure it aligns with the Constitution. This judicial independence is crucial for upholding democracy and protecting citizens’ rights.

Voting in Australia is compulsory for citizens aged 18 and over. Elections use a system called preferential voting, where voters rank candidates in order of preference. This system aims to ensure that elected representatives have broad support from their electorate.

Federal elections for the House of Representatives are held every three years, while the Senate operates on a six-year rotation, with half of the senators elected every three years. State and territory elections have their own schedules and rules.

Australia’s political system combines federalism, parliamentary democracy, and a constitutional monarchy. While it has its complexities, the structure is designed to balance representation, protect rights, and encourage citizen participation. Whether you’re a first-time voter or just curious about how decisions are made, knowing the basics is empowering – and essential for a healthy democracy.

Understanding the Difference Between the Upper and Lower Houses of the Australian Parliament

Australia’s federal Parliament consists of two chambers: the House of Representatives (lower house) and the Senate (upper house). While both play crucial roles in the legislative process, they differ significantly in structure, function, and political influence.

The House of Representatives: Where Government Is Formed

The House of Representatives is often referred to as the “people’s house.” It comprises 151 members, each representing a single electoral division across Australia. These divisions are based on population, so more populous states have more representatives. Members are elected for a maximum term of three years, although elections can be called earlier.

The most critical function of the House is to form government. The political party (or coalition) that holds the majority of seats in this chamber becomes the ruling government, with its leader becoming the Prime Minister. This house is also where mos xxxxxxxxxxxx

What's next?

Activate: Join Our Free Intro Session

Activate is your first step with Women for Election, to understanding what it takes to create change in your community. It is a friendly, zero-pressure place to discover what is possible. You’ll be introduced to who we are, what we do, and how we can support you every step of the way.

More Information

Check Out AEC TV

AEC electoral experts will provide the facts about the federal election and the integrity measures in place to secure the electoral process.

Learn how to participate effectively in federal elections through AEC TV’s explanatory and instructional videos.

Democracy in a Box

The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House has amazing resources – including Democracy In A Box.

Learn more at moadoph.gov.au.

Political Parties in Australia: An Explainer

Australia’s diverse range of political parties all contribute to our nation’s democracy. While smaller parties and independent candidates are becoming increasingly popular with voters, the major parties remain a key tenet of our political landscape from which Ministers and Shadow Ministers are drawn.

The ABC’s Vote Compass tool provides a useful way to think about the key differences between political parties, which can be mapped according to two factors:

Economic – on a continuum from ‘left’ to ‘right’. Left-leaning economic policy is associated with a larger role for government. This is often correlated with higher taxes, more government-funded services and a more comprehensive social welfare system. In comparison, right-leaning economic policy typically calls for a reduced role for government, often linked to lower taxation, less government-funded services, and a smaller social welfare system.

Social – on a continuum from ‘progressive’ to ‘conservative’. Policies such as supporting climate action and housing affordability are generally considered progressive issues, while increasing defence spending and reducing immigration are considered conservative.

Importantly, what are deemed progressive and conservative issues change over time and in response to changing social norms. This is particularly the case on civil rights issues. For instance, advocating for same-sex marriage was a progressive position in the 2000s and early 2010s, but in the lead-up to the marriage equality plebiscite and beyond, it became a mainstream or centrist position.

MAJOR PARTIES

Major parties in Australia are generally considered to be those that have formed government (or been in a position to form government) at a federal level. These include:

Australian Labor Party (ALP)

Economic position: centre-left
Social position: progressive

Australia’s oldest political party, formed in 1901, the ALP has been elected at the past two federal elections. The ALP was born from the trade union movement and continues to have a central focus on workers’ rights and employment conditions.

Nationally significant policies that have been implemented by ALP governments include:

End of military conscription in 1972 under Prime Minister Gough Whitlam
Introduction of Medicare in 1974 under Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and revised by Prime Minister Bob Hawke
National Apology to the Stolen Generations under Kevin Rudd as Prime Minister in 2008
Establishment of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in 2013 under Prime Minister Julia Gillard

What is the Coalition?

A coalition is defined as political parties working together to achieve their goals and in each other’s interest. Within a Coalition government, members of the party sit next to each other in the House of Representatives and the Senate, although each member is elected independently within their own party.

In Australia, when the Coalition is mentioned, it refers to the partnership between the Liberal and National parties. At the federal level, the Liberal-National Coalition was first formed in 1923 between the United Australia Party (predecessor to the Liberal Party) and the Country Party (which later became the Nationals Party).

They have since worked together, both in government and opposition, and consistently vote together on most policy issues. In May 2025, the Coalition briefly split post the federal election over policy disputes but reunified within a week.

The Liberal and National parties also have deep cooperation at the state and territory level. In Queensland the parties merged into one, known as the Liberal National Party, in 2008.

Liberal Party of Australia

Economic position: centre-right
Social position: conservative

Founded in 1944 by Robert Menzies, the Liberal party is built on the ideal of individual choice, and is the successor to the United Australia Party, which governed Australia through much of the 1930s and early 1940s. The Liberal Party has born Australia’s two longest serving Prime Ministers in founder Robert Menzies and John Howard and has a strong focus on economic reform and trade growth.

National Party of Australia

Economic position: centre-right
Social position: conservative

The Nationals have a similar ideology to that of the Liberals, but with a defined focus on Australia’s rural and regional communities. Formed in 1920, the party’s policies centre on economic development, infrastructure, and social services in regional, rural, and remote Australia.

First governing the country in coalition with the Liberal Party in 1949, the Nationals have been able to represent their communities in large scale, nation-wide issues.

Held 1967 referendum on constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians under Prime Minister Harold Holt
Establishment of stronger gun laws following the 1996 Port Arthur massacre under Prime Minister John Howard
Introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2000 under Prime Minister John Howard
Conducted the marriage equality plebiscite in 2017 under Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull which led to the legalisation of same sex marriage

Australian Greens

Economic: left
Social: progressive

The federal party was founded in 1992; however, the movement has deeper roots, tracing back to the United Tasmania Group, formed in 1972. The party’s four key principles are ecological sustainability, grassroots democracy, social justice, and peace and non-violence.

Prominent figures include environmentalist and founder Bob Brown, and Adam Bandt, who won the party’s first seat in the House of Representatives in 2010.

Minor Parties

Minor parties are also prominent in the Australian political system. It is important to note that not all minor parties contest all seats, or indeed all elections. Check the electoral commission website in the leadup to election day to see which minor parties are running candidates.

Animal Justice Party (AJP) – Founded in 2009 to advocate for the rights and welfare of animals, it is the only party in the country dedicated to ending animal cruelty and promoting compassionate policies for animals, people, and the planet. The Animal Justice Party currently has one representative each in the NSW, VIC and WA parliaments – all of whom are women. A number of sitting councillors also represent the AJP.
Jacqui Lambie Network (JLN) – A populist, socially conservative party founded in 2015 by Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie, following her split from the Palmer United Party. The JLN prioritises working-class Australians and positions itself as a voice for the “little guy” against major party politics. At present, there is only one sitting representative of the party, Jacqui Lambie, who is a Senator for Tasmania in the federal parliament.
Katter’s Australian Party – A regional party founded in 2011 by the long-serving federal MP from far north Queensland, Bob Katter. The party advocates for rural and regional Australia, with a strong emphasis on economic nationalism, agrarian socialism, and social conservatism and holds two seats in the Queensland Parliament, and one in the Federal House of Representatives.
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation – A socially conservative party, their policies focus on reducing government spending, with a particular focus on some social programs and climate-related spending. A nationalist party, they advocate for a reduction to immigration and call for Australia’s withdrawal from international bodies including the United Nations. The party’s leader, Pauline Hanson, is a longstanding figure in Australian politics. One Nation currently has two Senators representing Queensland in the federal parliament (including Hanson) and one member of the Victorian Upper House.
Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party – Founded in 1992, they are a conservative, rural party originally created to champion the rights of outdoor enthusiasts, regional communities, and primary producers. The party currently has two members in the NSW Upper House, and one each in the Victorian Upper House and Tasmanian Lower House.

Independents

Independent politicians, of all political persuasions, have always had a role in Australian politics. At times, Independent MPs have held the balance of power in various Australian parliaments. At the local government level, most councillors run as ‘unaffiliated’ or ‘independent’ candidates.

In the past two federal elections, ‘teal independents’ have gained major support in typically affluent areas by championing climate action, integrity, and a focus on local and national social issues.

As a democratic country built upon important principles, including freedom of political expression, it is important to have a range of political parties representing the views, values, and perspectives of the millions of voting Australians. Women for Election’s mission is to INSPIRE and EQUIP women of all political persuasions to run for public office.

To learn more about the full list of parties registered to run in your jurisdiction, check out the relevant electoral commission website:

Australian Electoral Commission
ACT Electoral Commission
NSW Electoral Commission
NT Electoral Commission
QLD Electoral Commission
SA Electoral Commission
TAS Electoral Commission
VIC Electoral Commission
WA Electoral Commission

Politics 101

Politics 101: How Australia's Political System Works – Demystifying the Structure of Government for Beginners

Australia’s political system can seem complicated at first glance, but understanding the basics is easier than you might think. Here’s a guide to how Australia’s government works and why it matters for all of us.

TIERS OF GOVERNMENT

Australia is a federation, meaning power is divided between a national government (known as the Commonwealth) and six state and two territory governments. The constitution gives certain powers to:

Some responsibilities, such as education and healthcare, are shared between federal, state and territory governments.

The third tier of Australia’s system of government is local government (i.e., councils). These are not mentioned in the constitution but rather governed by state and territory legislation.