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Ignition Learning — Activity Sheet

Levels of government

HASS · Year 8

Name: ______________________Date: ____________

Australia has three levels of government, each responsible for different things. The federal government handles national issues like defence, immigration and foreign affairs. State and territory governments manage things like schools, hospitals and roads within their borders. Local councils look after the immediate needs of a community, like rubbish collection, local parks and building approvals.

Example

If a new highway needs building between states, that's a federal responsibility. If a local school needs more funding, that's the state government. If a pothole needs fixing on your street, that's your local council.

Key terms

Federal government:
Handles national issues like defence and foreign affairs.
State government:
Manages schools, hospitals and roads within a state.
Local government:
Looks after a community's immediate needs, like rubbish and parks.

Questions

  1. 1. Australia has how many levels of government?

    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    • 4

  2. 2. Which level of government looks after your local area, like parks and bins?

    • Federal
    • State
    • Local
    • None

  3. 3. The Prime Minister leads which level of government?

    • Local
    • State
    • Federal
    • None

  4. 4. A Premier leads which level of government?

    • Local
    • State
    • Federal
    • None

  5. 5. Your local Mayor or council leads which level of government?

    • Federal
    • State
    • Local
    • None

  6. 6. Which level of government runs the army and navy?

    • Local
    • State
    • Federal
    • None

  7. 7. Which level of government is closest to your everyday neighbourhood?

    • Federal
    • State
    • Local
    • None

  8. 8. Which level of government is responsible for defence?

    • Local
    • State
    • Federal
    • None

  9. 9. Local councils typically manage:

    • National defence
    • Rubbish collection and local parks
    • Immigration
    • Foreign affairs

  10. 10. State governments are typically responsible for:

    • Foreign policy
    • Schools and hospitals
    • The navy
    • Currency

  11. 11. Australia's system of three levels of government is:

    • Unitary
    • Federal
    • Monarchy only
    • Theocracy

  12. 12. Who is responsible for issuing your driver's licence?

    • Federal government
    • State government
    • Local council
    • None

  13. 13. Building and fixing local roads (not highways) is usually a job for:

    • Federal government
    • State government
    • Local council
    • Nobody

  14. 14. Which level of government deals with other countries (foreign affairs)?

    • Local
    • State
    • Federal
    • None

  15. 15. If a new national law about immigration is being made, which level of government makes it?

    • Local council
    • State government
    • Federal government
    • None

  16. 16. Public hospitals are mainly funded and run with the help of which level of government?

    • Local council only
    • State government
    • Federal government only
    • No government involvement

  17. 17. Why does Australia have three levels of government instead of just one?

    • To make decisions slower
    • So different-sized issues (national, state, local) can be managed by the right level
    • By accident, with no real reason
    • Because other countries also have three

  18. 18. Rubbish collection, playgrounds and pet registration are usually handled by:

    • Federal government
    • State government
    • Local council
    • The Governor-General

  19. 19. Which best describes why local councils exist, even though there is also a state government?

    • Councils handle the small, local, everyday issues that state government would find impractical to manage
    • Councils replace the state government entirely
    • Councils are only found in capital cities
    • Councils make national laws

  20. 20. The Australian Defence Force (army, navy, air force) is controlled by:

    • Local councils
    • State governments
    • The federal government
    • No one

  21. 21. Which situation is a state government responsibility rather than federal?

    • Declaring war
    • Printing money
    • Running public schools
    • Managing foreign embassies

Answer key (parent copy)

  1. 1. 3
  2. 2. Local
  3. 3. Federal
  4. 4. State
  5. 5. Local
  6. 6. Federal
  7. 7. Local
  8. 8. Federal
  9. 9. Rubbish collection and local parks
  10. 10. Schools and hospitals
  11. 11. Federal
  12. 12. State government
  13. 13. Local council
  14. 14. Federal
  15. 15. Federal government
  16. 16. State government
  17. 17. So different-sized issues (national, state, local) can be managed by the right level
  18. 18. Local council
  19. 19. Councils handle the small, local, everyday issues that state government would find impractical to manage
  20. 20. The federal government
  21. 21. Running public schools