The power to make laws is shared between the Commonwealth Parliament and each state parliament. In Victoria, laws come from several sources: the Australian Constitution, federal legislation, Victorian legislation and common law. Common law is developed by judges as they decide cases and refer to previous decisions for guidance on how the law is applied.

What is law?

Australian Constitution (External link): outlines the purpose and history of Australia’s Constitution, which defines how laws are shared between the Federal Parliament and Victorian Parliament

Australian Legislation (External link): contains details of all Australian legislation

Victorian Legislation (External link): contains details of all Victorian acts and statutory rules

Victoria’s Constitution (Parliament of Victoria) (External link): outlines the purpose and history of Victoria’s constitution and explains how it functions within our state parliament. A copy of the Constitution Act 1975 (External link) is available at legislation.vic.gov.au

Who makes the law?

About the Parliament of Australia (External link): describes the elements that make up Australia’s Parliamentary system and the separation of powers between them

Parliamentary Education Office (External link): explains how the Parliament of Australia functions

The Victorian Parliamentary System (External link): describes the role of Victoria’s parliamentary system

Inside the Parliament of Victoria (External link): downloadable booklet that describes all aspects of the Victorian Parliament

Elections (Parliamentary Education Office) (External link): outlines the electoral process for the House of Representatives and the Senate

Elections and voting (Parliament of Victoria) (External link): explains the Victorian election process, the voting system and the counting of votes

Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) (External link): the AEC is responsible for conducting federal elections and referendums and maintaining the Commonwealth electoral roll

How are laws made?

Bills and Laws (Parliamentary Education Office) (External link): information about Parliament and how laws are made

How Laws are Made (Parliament of Victoria) (External link): video describing how a bill becomes a law

People in Parliament (External link): defines the specific roles of key people in the Parliament of Victoria

Victorian Legislation and Bills (External link): contains links to current and past legislation and bills

What types of law are there?

Law can be criminal or civil. Criminal law regulates conduct in society to protect the community and sanction those who commit crimes. Civil law regulates the rights and responsibilities of individuals, groups and organisations in their interactions. If legal rights are abused, legal action can be taken through the court system, a tribunal or through alternative dispute resolution methods.

Civil Matters (Magistrates' Court) (External link): provides information relating to the Civil Jurisdiction of the Magistrates' Court of Victoria, which hears and determines disputes arising from claims for damages, debt or other monetary demands and for equitable relief

How are laws reviewed and changed?

Criminal Law Policy and Operations: policy development at the department

Australian Law Reform Commission (External link): federal agency that reviews Australia’s laws and provides recommendations to Parliament and the Government to implement changes

Victorian Law Reform Commission (External link): independent, government-funded organisation that develops, monitors and coordinates law reform in Victoria

Sentencing Advisory Council (External link): set up to bridge the gaps between the community, the courts and government by informing, educating and advising on sentencing issues

Engage Victoria (External link): Victorian Government website that seeks feedback and contributions from the public on a wide range of policies and programs under consideration or review