Constitution

Text of the Constitution

The Australian Constitution - A First Reading - John Kilcunnen’s annotated guide to the Constitution.

Overview of the Constitution, Chapter-by-Chapter

Full Text (Including Amendments) On One Page

Chapter-by-Chapter

Chapter 1 - The Parliament - Sections 1-60

Part 1 - General - Sections 1-6

Part 2 - Senate - Sections 7-23

Part 3 - House of Representatives - Sections 24-40

Part 4 - Both Houses - Sections 41-50

Part 5 - Powers - Sections 51-60

Chapter 2 - The Executive Government - Sections 61-70

Chapter 3 - The Judicature - Sections 71-80

Chapter 4 - Finance and Trade - Sections 81-105

Chapter 5 - The States - Sections 106-120

Chapter 6 - New States - Sections 121-124

Chapter 7 - Miscellaneous - Section 125-127

Chapter 8 - Alteration of the Constitution - Section 128

Schedule - Oath and Affirmation

Section-by-Section

If you know the number of the Section of the Constitution you want to check, just click on the applicable link below. The text will appear in a popup window.

Section 1 - Legislative Power

Section 2 - Governor-General

Section 3 - Salary of Governor-General

Section 4 - Provisions relating to Governor-General

Section 5 - Sessions of Parliament - Prorogation and Dissolution

Section 6 - Summoning Parliament

Section 7 - The Senate

Section 8 - Qualifications of Electors

Section 9 - Method of election of senators

Section 10 - Application of State laws

Section 11 - Failure to choose senators

Section 12 - Issue of writs

Section 13 - Rotation of senators

Section 14 - Further provision for rotation

Section 15 - Casual vacancies

Section 16 - Qualifications of senator

Section 17 - Election of President

Section 18 - Absence of President

Section 19 - Resignation of senator

Section 20 - Vacancy by absence

Section 21 - Vacancy to be notified

Section 22 - Quorum

Section 23 - Voting in the Senate

Section 24 - Constitution of House of Representatives

Section 25 - Provisions as to races disqualified from voting

Section 26 - Representatives in first Parliament

Section 27 - Alteration of number of members

Section 28 - Duration of House of Representatives

Section 29 - Electoral divisions

Section 30 - Qualification of electors

Section 31 - Application of State laws

Section 32 - Writs for general election

Section 33 - Writs for vacancies

Section 34 - Qualifications of members

Section 35 - Election of Speaker

Section 36 - Absence of Speaker

Section 37 - Resignation of member

Section 38 - Vacancy by absence

Section 39 - Quorum

Section 40 - Voting in House of Representatives

Section 41 - Rights of electors of States

Section 42 - Oath or affirmation of allegiance

Section 43 - Member of one House ineligible for other

Section 44 - Disqualification

Section 45 - Vacancy on happening of disqualification

Section 46 - Penalty for sitting when disqualified

Section 47 - Disputed elections

Section 48 - Allowance to members

Section 49 - Privileges &c. of Houses

Section 50 - Rules and orders

Section 51 - Legislative powers of the Parliament

Section 52 - Exclusive powers of the Parliament

Section 53 - Powers of the Houses in respect of legislation

Section 54 - Appropriation Bills

Section 55 - Tax Bill

Section 56 - Recommendation of money votes

Section 57 - Disagreement between the Houses

Section 58 - Royal assent to Bills & Recommendations by Governor-General

Section 59 - Disallowance by the Queen

Section 60 - Signification of Queen’s pleasure on Bills reserved

Section 61 - Executive power

Section 62 - Federal Executive Council

Section 63 - Provisions referring to Governor-General

Section 64 - Ministers of State & Ministers to sit in Parliament

Section 65 - Number of ministers

Section 66 - Salaries of Ministers

Section 67 - Appointment of civil servants

Section 68 - Command of naval and military forces

Section 69 - Transfer of certain departments

Section 70 - Certain powers of Governors to vest in Governor-General

Section 71 - Judicial power and Courts

Section 72 - Judges’ appointment, tenure and remuneration

Section 73 - Appellate jurisdiction of High Court

Section 74 - Appeal to Queen in Council

Section 75 - Original jurisdiction of High Court

Section 76 - Additional original jurisdiction

Section 77 - Power to define jurisdiction

Section 78 - Proceedings against Commonwealth or State

Section 79 - Number of judges

Section 80 - Trial by jury

Section 81 - Consolidated Revenue Fund

Section 82 - Expenditure charged thereon

Section 83 - Money to be appropriated by law

Section 84 - Transfer of officers

Section 85 - Transfer of property of State

Section 86 - Collection and control of duties to pass to Commonwealth

Section 87 - Revenue to be paid to States in first ten years

Section 88 - Uniform duties of customs

Section 89 - Payment to States before uniform duties

Section 90 - Exclusive power over customs, excise, and bounties

Section 91 - Exceptions as to bounties

Section 92 - Trade within the Commonwealth to be free

Section 93 - Payment to States for five years after uniform tariffs

Section 94 - Distribution of surplus

Section 95 - Customs duties of Western Australia

Section 96 - Financial assistance to States

Section 97 - Audit

Section 98 - Trade and commerce includes navigation and State railways

Section 99 - Commonwealth not to give preference

Section 100 - Nor abridge right to use water

Section 101 - Inter-State Commission

Section 102 - Parliament may forbid preferences by State

Section 103 - Commissioners’ appointment, tenure, and remuneration

Section 104 - Saving of certain rates

Section 105 - Taking over public debts of States

Section 106 - Saving of Constitutions

Section 107 - Saving of Power of State Parliaments

Section 108 - Saving of State laws

Section 109 - Inconsistency of laws

Section 110 - Provisions referring to Governor

Section 111 - States may surrender territory

Section 112 - States may levy charges for inspection laws

Section 113 - Intoxicating liquids

Section 114 - States may not raise forces - Taxation of property of Commonwealth or State

Section 115 - States not to coin money

Section 116 - Commonwealth not to legislate in respect of religion

Section 117 - Rights of residents in States

Section 118 - Recognition of laws, &c. of States

Section 119 - Protection of States from invasion and violence

Section 120 - Custody of offenders against laws of the Commonwealth

Section 121 - New states may be admitted or established

Section 122 - Government of territories

Section 123 - Alteration of limits of States

Section 124 - Formation of new States

Section 125 - Seat of Government

Section 126 - Power to Her Majesty to authorise Governor-General to appoint deputies

Section 127 - Aboriginal natives not to be counted

Section 128 - Mode of altering the Constitution

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