Australia
House of Representatives
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Political system
Political systems: Presidential, Parliamentary, Presidential-Parliamentary, Monarchy, Communist, Transitional.
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Parliamentary system
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Structure of parliament
Structure of parliament: Unicameral, bicameral
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Bicameral
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IPU membership
Current membership status
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Yes
Parliamentary mandate
Start and end of mandate
- Start of the parliamentary mandate for newly elected members
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When the election results are declared
- Start of the parliamentary mandate for appointed members
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Not applicable
- End of the parliamentary mandate
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Other
Notes: For those not re-contesting, at the issuing of the writs prior to the election. For those seeking re-election, but are unsuccessful, polling day.
Speaker
- Mode of designation of the Speaker
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The Speaker is elected from among the members of parliament/chamber
- Authority that designates the Speaker when the Speaker is designated from outside parliament.
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Rank of the Speaker in the hierarchy of the State
The Speaker often has a very high rank in the protocollary hierarchy of the State.
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Fourth
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Speaker becomes interim Head of State in the event of the latter’s death or incapacity
In some countries, the Speaker acts as interim Head of State when required by the circumstances, such as death or incapacity.
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No
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Speaker's mandate continues between legislatures
The mandate of the Speaker may continue until their successor is elected, even after the dissolution of parliament/chamber.
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No
Notes: The Speaker’s term concludes upon the dissolution of the House. However, the Speaker has certain administrative and legal responsibilities that continue until a new Speaker is chosen.
Sources: Parliamentary Presiding Officers Act 1965 (Cth)
Speaker terms
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The term of the Speaker is different from the term of the house
The term of the Speaker may be different from the term of the House (legislature).
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No
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Speaker's term
The term may be shorter than one year.
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3 Years
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Fixed election date for the Speaker, if any
Speakers in several parliaments are elected on a fixed date in accordance with the Constitution.
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No information available
Immunity and code of conduct
- Parliament’s authorization is required for the detention or prosecution of members
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No
- There is a Code of conduct for members
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No
Salaries and allowances
- Members are paid salaries by parliament
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Yes(2020)
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Basic salary, per year
The figures are the gross amount before tax in national currency.
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225,750 AUD(2023)
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Basic salary, per year in PPP
The figures are provided by parliaments in national currency and converted to PPP dollars using World Bank conversion tables.
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158,979(2023)
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Basic allowances
“Basic allowances” are allowances that are automatically paid to all parliamentarians. They are received in advance as a lump sum at a flat rate. They are not intended to be reimbursement for any expenses. Basic allowances are sometimes called “representation allowance”, “supplemental allowance”, “end-of-year allowance”, etc.
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No information available
- Names of the basic allowances
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Electorate allowance:
Electorates of less than 2,000km2: AUD 32,000 per annum
Electorates of 2,000km2 to 4,999km2: AUD 38,000 per annum
Electorates of 5,000km2 or more: AUD 46,000 per annum
- Provision of private plated vehicles or an allowance of AUD 19,500 per annum (known as 'additional electorate allowance') if a member elects not to be provided with a private plated vehicle
- Internet and telephone services at private residences
- Travel allowances for travel within Australia
For former members:
- Post-retirement travel expenses
- Resettlement allowance
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Members pay income tax on salaries
Salaries and/or allowances may be subject to income tax or equivalent.
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Yes
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Members pay income tax on allowances
Salaries and/or allowances may be subject to income tax or equivalent.
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No
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Members can have remunerated employment outside parliament
Certain parliaments allow MPs to exercise other remunerated employment outside parliament.
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No
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Members are required to declare income from other employment to parliament
In certain countries, MPs exercising other employment may be required to declare their income.
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No information available
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Additional salaries and allowances provided for leadership positions
The amount of salaries and allowances is generally higher for the Speaker/President. Some parliaments also provide for additional allowances to Chairs of Committees.
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Yes
Facilities, services and allowances for constituency work
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Personal staff to work directly for the parliamentarian
The personal staff to work directly for the parliamentarian is different from parliamentary staff work for the secretariat of Parliament.
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No
- Office at parliament
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Yes
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Constituency office
Certain countries provide for an office at constituency if it’s different from a seat of parliament, which is often in the capital. The office at constituency is applicable mainly to the countries using the Plurality/Majority system of elections.
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No
- Housing
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No
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Other cash or in-kind allowances for constituency work
The common in-kind allowances for constituency work include those for travel, overnight stay, etc.
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No
Additional salaries and allowances for leadership positions
| Salary | Allowances | |
|---|---|---|
| Speaker | Yes | |
| Committee Chair | Yes | No |
Notes:
Chairs of standing committees, legislative scrutiny committees, legislative and general purpose committees and select committees - AUD 23,240 additional salary per annum
Chairs of joint standing committees and joint statutory committees - AUD 33,800 additional salary per annum
Others include: Deputy Leader of the Opposition; Leader of the Opposition; Shadow Minister; Chief Government Whip; Chief Opposition Whip, etc.
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Salary of the Speaker
Some parliaments pay for additional salaries to the Speaker/President. Other parliaments have a separate amount of salaries for this post. The total amount of the salaries of the Speaker/President is indicated for both cases.
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158,440 AUD
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Parliament determines the amount of salaries
Some parliaments determine the amount of salaries of MPs. The amount may be set by other institution than parliament.
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No
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Name of the institution outside parliament which determines the amount
This question is only relevant if the amount is set by other institution than parliament.
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No information available
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Parliament determines the amount of allowances
Some parliaments determine the amount of allowances of MPs. The amount may be set by other institution than parliament.
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No
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The parliamentary salary is determined in reference to another salary scale
In some countries, the amount of parliamentary salary is determined in reference to another salary scale, such as civil service salary scale, ministerial salary or the minimum wage of the country.
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No
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Reference scale used for parliamentary salaries
Reference scale used for parliamentary salaries: Civil service salary scale; Ministerial salary; Minimum wage; Other (please specify)
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Click for historical data
Notes: In some provinces, women were given the right to vote and stand for election at an earlier date
- Information on salaries and allowances on the parliamentary website
- Links to information on salaries and allowances
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No information available
- Year data was last reported
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2020
Participation in the government
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Members of the government must also be members of parliament
Members of the government must also be members of parliament: Must be a member of parliament; Cannot be a member of parliament; Can be a member of parliament; Other
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Must be a member of parliament
- Number of members of the parliament/chamber who are also members of the government
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33(2023)
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Members for whom data is available
Number of members, at the start of the legislature, for whom age data is available
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148(2022)
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Percentage of members of parliament/chamber who are also members of the government
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of members of the parliament/chamber who are also members of the government by the statutory number of members of parliament/chamber.
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22.0%(2023-12)