As an international student living and working in Australia, it can be helpful to understand how Australian politics works.
Changes to policies and laws can influence immigration, education, the economy and business – all things that play a big role in shaping your student life and future career prospects in Australia.
Australia’s political system
Australia is a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy. This long (and confusing) title means it combines elements of a monarchy, a parliamentary system and a federal structure of government.
The monarchy: The monarch of Australia is also the monarch of the United Kingdom: King Charles III. In Australia, the monarch’s role is largely ceremonial and symbolic, with no involvement in the day-to-day affairs of government. However, they are represented by the Governor-General, who performs ceremonial duties like inviting a new Prime Minister to office.
Federal – Powers of the Australian government are split between federal (national) and state. The federal government is responsible for national issues like defence, foreign affairs, trade, immigration, and telecommunications.
State: State governments govern over areas not covered by the federal government, including education, health, police, and transport.
There are other areas, such as taxation and environmental law, that both federal and state governments can legislate. However, in cases of conflict, federal law prevails.
Prime Minister: The Prime Minister is typically the leader of the party or coalition that has the most seats in the House of Representatives. They set policy direction, represent the country at international events, choose ministers to oversee certain sectors and propose bills.
House of Representatives and Senate: Australian citizens vote for who will represent them in government. These members of parliament (MPs) make up the House of Representatives. These MPs can propose new laws, known as bills.
Once a new bill has been made, it must also get approval from the Senate, which is also made up of elected officials.
Australia’s major political parties
Australia largely operates as a two-party system. These two parties are:
Australian Labor Party (ALP): “Labor” as it is often referred to, is typically a more democratic socialist party aligning “centre-left” of the political spectrum. Their beliefs include progressive taxation, where wealthier individuals pay more taxes, and strong support for rights such as same-sex marriage, gender equality, Indigenous rights and cultural diversity.
Liberal Party of Australia: Typically considered a “centre-right” party, the Liberal Party supports conservative economic and social policies. It is often associated with support for a market-based economy, encouraging investment and innovation through policies that reduce business costs and promote economic growth. Socially, the party supports traditional family values, a strong law and order policy, and limited government involvement in personal matters.
Minor political parties
Australia’s political landscape also includes a number of smaller parliamentary parties that play crucial roles, particularly in the Senate, where they can hold the balance of power. Here are some of the other significant parties:
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- The Nationals: Centre-right political party primarily focused on representing rural and regional Australia.
- The Australian Greens: A left-wing party with a strong emphasis on environmental and social justice issues.
- One Nation: A right-wing populist party that emphasises nationalism and strict immigration policies.
- Centre Alliance (CA): Often focuses on social liberalism and populism.
- Australia’s Voice (AV): Formed in 2024 by Fatima Payman, this party supports recognition of Palestinian statehood and other progressive policies.
- David Pocock: An independent senator known for his advocacy of environmentalism and progressivism.
- Jacqui Lambie Network (JLN): Known for its populism and social conservatism.
- Katter’s Australian Party (KAP): Led by Robbie Katter, this party emphasises social conservatism and developmentalism.
- United Australia Party (UAP): Known for its right-wing populism.
A full list of Australian political parties can be found here.
Voting
Australian citizens (who are 18 years and older) are required to vote in federal elections. While there are some special exceptions, voters are fined if they do not participate. Elections are also always held on a Saturday in Australia. Those overseas can vote using a postal vote system.
Temporary and permanent residents cannot vote in federal and state elections or referendums.
How elections are won
A federal election is held at least once every three years. The Australian Constitution sets the maximum term of the House of Representatives at three years, but the prime minister can choose to request an election earlier – a snap election.
At these federal elections, voters select who they choose to be members of parliament in the Senate and the House of Representatives (two separate ballots).
At a federal election, the party with the majority of members elected to the House of Representatives becomes the Australian government. The leader of the winning party is the Prime Minister.
Key political issues affecting life in Australia
Australian politics is driven by a range of issues that could affect the lives of international students, such as:
Climate change: Climate change remains a major issue, with Australia experiencing more frequent bushfires, floods and heatwaves each year. To combat this, the government is working on disaster prevention and how we can adapt to a changing climate. They’re also focused on reducing emissions by investing in renewable energies such as solar and wind.
Housing affordability: Housing is one of Australia’s biggest challenges today. High rental prices and limited supply are making affordability even worse, especially in major cities where many students live. There are ongoing debates as to how best to address these issues, with some suggesting building more housing or strengthening tenant protections. These changes could affect how easily international students can find secure, affordable accommodation.
Check out our guide to securing a rental property in Australia for more details.
Immigration: Immigration remains a key issue as Australia responds to skills shortages, population growth, and pressure on housing and services. Current immigration policy focuses on attracting skilled migrants, including students and qualified workers. It is important that international students keep up to date with the latest policies, as visa rules, working rights, and post-study employment pathways are regularly updated.
Make sure to check out our recent article on changes to visa conditions for skilled workers.
Cost of living: Increasing costs of food, transport, utilities and fuel remain a key political concern. A range of factors, such as rising inflation, CPI and cash rate, all influence wages and everyday expenses. These can also affect how far student budgets stretch and how much international students may need to rely on part-time work.
Foreign policy: Australia’s foreign policy focuses on global security and strong alliances, including support for Ukraine, responses to the war in Gaza, and discussions around Palestinian statehood. We also have close ties with the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Asia-Pacific region. These connections shape Australia’s relationships with other countries and can influence international student mobility, safety, and inclusion.
Engaging with Australian politics
As a student, your opinions, voice and community are important and getting involved in politics can be a worthwhile venture, regardless of your political views.
University clubs can offer a starting point to learn more, and engaging with reputable media sources for information is a good start.
