Australian Constitution – Sections

Section-by-Section Text

There are 128 sections in the Australian Constitution.

Clicking on a link will open the particular section of the Constitution in a pop-up 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