Referendums in Australia: The Double Majority Explained
What a referendum is, how the double majority works, and why changing Australia's Constitution is so difficult. Clear notes for the citizenship test.
Referendums are one of the most important features of Australian democracy, and they are a common citizenship test topic. The key idea is simple: the Australian Constitution can only be changed with the approval of the Australian people. Here is how it works.
What Is a Referendum?
A referendum is a vote by the Australian people on a proposed change to the Constitution. Politicians cannot change the Constitution on their own — only the voters can. Because voting is compulsory for enrolled Australian citizens aged 18 and over, every eligible citizen must vote in a referendum.
How Does a Referendum Happen?
- A proposed change is written as a bill and passed by the Commonwealth Parliament.
- The question is put to voters, usually between two and six months after the bill passes.
- Voters write "Yes" or "No" on the ballot paper.
- If the proposal achieves a double majority, the Constitution is changed.
What Is a Double Majority?
For a referendum to pass, it must achieve a double majority:
- A national majority — more than half of all voters across Australia must vote "Yes", and
- A majority of states — a majority of voters in at least four of the six states must vote "Yes"
Voters in the territories count towards the national majority, but not towards the majority of states. This system protects the interests of the smaller states, so that the most populous states cannot change the Constitution by themselves.
Why Referendums Rarely Succeed
Winning a double majority is difficult. Since Federation in 1901, only a small number of referendum proposals have been approved — just eight out of 45. Australians tend to be cautious about changing their founding document, and proposals generally need support from across the political spectrum to succeed.
A Famous Example: The 1967 Referendum
The 1967 referendum is one of the most significant in Australian history. More than 90% of voters said "Yes" — the highest "Yes" vote of any referendum. The change meant that Aboriginal people would be counted in the national census and allowed the Commonwealth Parliament to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is remembered as an important moment in the recognition of Australia's First Peoples.
Referendum vs Plebiscite
These two words are sometimes confused:
- A referendum is a vote to change the Constitution. The result is binding if the double majority is met.
- A plebiscite is a vote on an issue that does not change the Constitution. It is a way for the government to find out what the people think, and its result is not legally binding in the same way.
Key Points for the Citizenship Test
- The Constitution can only be changed by a referendum
- A referendum needs a double majority: a national majority plus a majority of voters in a majority of states
- Voting in a referendum is compulsory for enrolled citizens
- The 1967 referendum was a milestone for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Test Yourself
Questions about referendums are easy marks once you understand the double majority. Use CitiZen AU to practise government and law questions in English and Vietnamese, or try a "Surprise Me" quiz for a quick mixed review.