The Division of Powers
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This classroom activity uses a flood‑crisis scenario to help students apply the Division of Powers by analysing how local, state and federal governments respond during emergencies. Working in groups, students examine town‑specific crisis cards, identify each level of government’s responsibilities, develop a coordinated emergency plan, and present how cooperation across jurisdictions supports effective disaster management under Australia’s federal 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 Levels of Government and their responsibilities including the division of powers
Suggested drawing prompt:
Students complete the Community Map Challenge by drawing a map of a local community and labelling which level of government is responsible for each feature. The map must include: highways, main road, local street, footpath, local council, school, park, rubbish bins, library, police station, Army headquarters, and a passport office.
Levels of Government (Division of Powers) Reflection
Blank playing card visual reflection activity
Students use this blank playing card as a reflection tool to show what they have learned about how responsibilities are divided between Australia’s three levels of government. Before drawing, students read the factsheet on the Levels of Government here to understand how powers are allocated between federal, state, and local authorities. Designing the card helps students distil these ideas into a clear visual summary, showing how different levels of government work together to shape everyday life in their community.
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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This fact sheet explains how power is shared across Australia’s three levels of government—Commonwealth, State/Territory and Local—under the federal system created by the Constitution. It outlines the Division of Powers in section 51, the responsibilities retained by the states, the role of local councils, and how High Court interpretation and Commonwealth funding have expanded federal influence. It highlights why dividing power matters for accountability, community responsiveness and protecting people from concentrated authority.
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This explainer outlines Australia’s governance structures and how authority is organised across different institutions and levels of government. It explains how these structures distribute power, support accountability and help ensure decisions are made lawfully and in the public interest.
Explore Related Topics
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The Separation of Powers
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Federation of Australia
Explore resources on Federation, outlining how Australia became a nation, divided powers, and established the constitutional structures & democratic principles that govern today.
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Checks and Balances on Power
Explore resources on checks and balances, explaining how oversight limits power and ensures decisions remain lawful and accountable through independent scrutiny, and transparent review processes.