The Governor-General and the King: Their Role in Australia
Who is Australia's head of state? Learn the roles of King Charles III, the Governor-General and state governors in Australia's constitutional monarchy.
Australia is a constitutional monarchy. For many new migrants — especially those from republics — the roles of the King and the Governor-General can be confusing. Here is a clear explanation for the citizenship test.
Who Is Australia's Head of State?
Australia's head of state is the King of Australia, King Charles III. The King is also the monarch of the United Kingdom and several other countries, but in Australia he acts as King of Australia. The King does not live in Australia, so he appoints a representative to carry out his duties here.
The Governor-General
The Governor-General is the King's representative in Australia. The King appoints the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Governor-General's official residence is Government House in Canberra, commonly known as Yarralumla.
What Does the Governor-General Do?
The Governor-General has important constitutional and ceremonial roles, including:
- Giving Royal Assent — signing bills passed by both houses of Parliament so they become law
- Appointing ministers and swearing them in
- Appointing judges and certain other senior officials
- Calling elections and dissolving Parliament
- Acting as Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force
- Presiding over the Federal Executive Council
- Ceremonial duties such as welcoming foreign leaders, presenting honours and awards, and attending community events
Does the Governor-General Run the Government?
No. In almost all matters, the Governor-General acts on the advice of the Prime Minister and ministers. The Prime Minister leads the government; the Governor-General's role is largely formal and ceremonial, though it remains constitutionally important.
State Governors
Each of the six states also has a Governor, who represents the King in that state. State Governors perform similar roles at state level, such as giving assent to laws passed by the state parliament. They are appointed by the King on the advice of the state Premier.
The Prime Minister vs the Governor-General
It is easy to mix these up, so remember:
- The King is the head of state
- The Governor-General represents the King in Australia
- The Prime Minister is the head of the government — the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the House of Representatives
At the state level, the equivalent of the Prime Minister is the Premier. In the territories, it is the Chief Minister.
The King in Everyday Australian Life
You will see signs of the constitutional monarchy in daily life: the King's image on coins, the King's Birthday public holiday, and the use of the words "the Crown" in legal matters.
Common Test Traps
- The Governor-General is not elected by the people
- The Prime Minister is not the head of state
- The Governor-General is appointed by the King on the advice of the Prime Minister
Practise Until It Clicks
Questions about the King, the Governor-General and the Prime Minister appear often in practice tests. CitiZen AU explains each answer in both English and Vietnamese, so these roles become easy to tell apart.