Laws
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This activity helps students evaluate whether a law is clear, consistent, enforceable and fair by applying a simple checklist. It supports understanding of what makes laws effective and how these features uphold the rule of law.
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This activity helps students understand the difference between statute law made by Parliament and common law developed by judges. It guides learners through identifying each type of law, exploring how courts interpret legislation and showing how both sources work together to create a coherent legal system.
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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 of Laws, Law making and effective laws and different types of laws including criminal, civil, statute and common law.
Laws Reflection
Blank playing card visual reflection activity
Students use this blank playing card as a reflection tool to explore the differences between laws, organisational rules, and everyday social expectations. Before drawing, students read the Laws factsheet here to understand who creates each type of rule, who enforces them, and what consequences apply. Designing the card helps students distil these ideas into a clear visual summary, showing how behaviour in public spaces is shaped by multiple layers of regulation.
Students can submit this completed playing‑card drawing to the Informed Civics Competition for a chance to win!
See suggested drawing prompts below:
Suggested drawing prompt: Students draw three small scenes showing behaviours at a train station:
one governed by a law,
one governed by a transport authority rule, and
one based on a social expectation.
Related Resources
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This explainer outlines the difference between rules and laws, showing how laws are created, enforced and applied to protect rights, maintain order and keep communities safe. It helps students understand why societies need laws, how they guide behaviour and how the rule of law ensures fairness and accountability.
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This explainer outlines what laws are, why societies need them, and how they protect rights, ensure safety and guide behaviour. It explains how parliaments make statute law, how courts develop common law through precedent, and how different types of law—criminal, civil, administrative and constitutional—operate within Australia’s rule‑of‑law framework.
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This explainer outlines the key features that make laws effective, including clarity, consistency, enforceability and fairness. It shows how well‑designed laws protect rights, guide behaviour and support the rule of law by being known, stable and applied equally to everyone.
Explore Related Topics
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Law is Known and Accessible
Explore resources on accessible law, highlighting why clear, and public rules are essential for fairness and social participation by enabling informed decision‑ making & transparent governance.
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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.
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Open and Transparent Laws
Explore resources on transparent lawmaking, highlighting how accessible processes strengthen accountability and uphold democratic principles through responsible decision‑making.