Constitution Text - AustralianPolitics.com

Overview of the Constitution, Chapter-by-Chapter
The Original Constitution, Unamended, 1901
Full Text (Including Amendments) On One Page
Full Text – Downloadable PDF

Chapter-by-Chapter

Preamble
Chapter 1 – The Parliament – Sections 1-60
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