Civics and Citizenship
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This activity examines how misinformation, disinformation and fake news spread, and how false information affects democratic decision‑making. Students explore historical and modern examples, analyse how unreliable information undermines accountability and social cohesion, and consider the challenges emerging technologies pose for identifying credible news. Through research and creative tasks, the activity builds students’ skills in evaluating sources and understanding why accurate information is essential for a healthy democracy.
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This activity helps students explore key Australian values—fair go, respect for freedoms and respect for others—and translate them into simple, child‑friendly explanations. Students discuss how these values support cooperation and social cohesion, then create a ‘Value of the Day’ resource for young children using examples that show the value in action.
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This card game introduces students to Australia’s core democratic beliefs, including equality, freedom, respect and the rule of law. Students match concepts, definitions and examples, building their understanding of how democratic values shape civic behaviour and support a fair, stable society. The activity works as a quick starter, revision task or group discussion prompt.
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This activity strengthens students’ understanding of key rule‑of‑law concepts by asking them to identify a term and explain its meaning in their own words. Students draw on examples from real‑world contexts—such as rights, responsibilities, fairness and legal processes—to build clarity, confidence and vocabulary for civics and legal studies.
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Reflection Activity designed as part of the Informed Civics Competition where students draw on the blank card what they have learned about the concept Active and Engaged Citizens
Suggested drawing prompt:
Show students the Name it and Explain it Citizenship Poster. Ask students to draw what an unhealthy society may look like and how would we know when things are not the way they should be.
Then ask students to draw how they could fix it? What structures and laws would be needed?
Active and Engaged Citizens Reflection
Blank playing card visual reflection activity
Reflection Activity designed as part of the Informed Civics Competition where students draw on the blank card what they have learned about the concept Active and Engaged Citizens.
Students can submit this completed playing‑card drawing to the Informed Civics Competition for a chance to win!
See suggested drawing prompts below:
Related Resources
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A practical guide to the formal and informal roles citizens play in sustaining Australia’s democratic system. It explains how participation—through voting, jury service, civic engagement, and everyday respectful behaviour—protects democratic stability and prevents authoritarianism. The resource traces the development of voting rights, emphasises the role of juries as community decision‑makers, and connects rights with responsibilities essential to a healthy civic culture.
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This factsheet outlines the core values that support Australia’s free and democratic society, including equality, freedom, respect and responsibility. It shows how these values guide civic behaviour, protect rights and underpin Australia’s democracy and rule of law.
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This fact sheet explains how rights and responsibilities work together, using freedom of speech as a case example. It outlines different types of rights, why rights are not absolute, and how responsibilities ensure everyone can exercise their freedoms safely and equally. The resource shows how Australian law protects freedom of expression while allowing limits—such as anti‑discrimination laws—to prevent harm and uphold the rights of others.
Explore Related Topics
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Human Rights
Explore resources on human rights, outlining key protections, legal frameworks, and how rights are balanced against government power in through constitutional principles, legislative safeguards and rule‑of‑law accountability.
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Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders
Explore our resources on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, outlining legal history, cultural traditions, land rights, and contemporary justice issues in Australia.
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Democracy
Explore resources on democracy, highlighting how accountability and representative institutions ensure power is exercised fairly and transparently through open processes, civic engagement and responsible governance.