The Australian Constitution can be changed. A recommendation for change must pass through the House of Representatives and the Senate, then the Australian people vote either 'yes' or 'no' to the change in a referendum.  For a referendum to be successful it must pass what is known as a 'double majority’, which is when 50% of voters nationwide vote in favour of the change (this is called an ‘absolute majority’) and 4 out of 6 states vote in favour by an absolute majority. Territory votes contribute to the national vote but not the state vote.  So far, 44 referendums have been held, yet only eight of these have carried (passed).  If a referendum carries, the Constitution must be changed.

A plebiscite is another way of understanding what the Australian public want. In a plebiscite, voters are also asked to vote 'yes' or 'no' about a question. The difference is that even if a plebiscite carries, the government does not have to do what the vote says.

The Constitution is made up of 8 chapters and 128 sections.

referendum - A national vote to change the wording of the Australian Constitution

double majority - a majority of states and a majority of citizens; this must be reached for a change to the Constitution to be accepted

republic - a system of government in which the power lies with a group of elected officials rather than a king or a queen

constitutional monarchy - a system of government in which a country is ruled by a king or queen, with the government's power limited by the constitution