Parliamentary democracy
3 min · 10 practice questions
Australia's system of government is a parliamentary democracy in which the power of the government comes from the Australian people. Citizens vote for people to represent them in parliament, and those representatives must answer to the people through elections for the decisions they make.
This topic is also part of Part 4, Australian values. The test can ask about it from either angle.
What Our Common Bond says
- Australia's system of government is a parliamentary democracy.
- The power of the government comes from the Australian people.
- Citizens vote for people to represent them in parliament.
- Representatives must answer to the people through elections for the decisions they make.
Common mistakes
- Thinking power comes from the Prime Minister, political parties or another country rather than from the people.
- Believing citizens vote directly on every law — they elect representatives who decide.
Test yourself
One question at a time: pick an answer, then check it. Everything here comes from Our Common Bond, Part 2, page 20 (official booklet ↗).
Question 1 of 10
Checked against Our Common Bond (0.3.1). Last reviewed September 2026. How questions are checked