Australia

Senate

Political system
Parliamentary system
Structure of parliament
Bicameral
IPU membership
Yes

Parliamentary mandate

Start and end of mandate

Start of the parliamentary mandate for newly elected members
Other

Notes:

The parliamentary mandate for state senators ordinarily commences on 1 July following the election.

The parliamentary mandate for newly elected territory senators commences on the day of their election.

Start of the parliamentary mandate for appointed members
Not applicable
End of the parliamentary mandate
Other

Notes:

The parliamentary mandate for state senators ordinarily ends on 30 June following the election.

The parliamentary mandate for territory senators ordinarily ends on the day immediately before the next election.

Speaker

Mode of designation of the Speaker
The Speaker is elected from among the members of parliament/chamber
Authority that designates the Speaker when the Speaker is designated from outside parliament.
Not applicable
Rank of the Speaker in the hierarchy of the State
Third
Speaker becomes interim Head of State in the event of the latter’s death or incapacity
No
Speaker's mandate continues between legislatures
Yes

Notes:

The President’s term ordinarily ends on the first sitting day after 30 June following an ordinary election, or on the dissolution of the Senate. But the President of the Senate is deemed to continue to be President after the expiration of their term for the purpose of exercising certain powers and functions until the Senate choses a new President.

Sources: Parliamentary Presiding Officers Act 1965 (Cth)

Speaker terms

The term of the Speaker is different from the term of the house
No
Speaker's term
3 Years
Fixed election date for the Speaker, if any
No information available

Immunity and code of conduct

Parliament’s authorization is required for the detention or prosecution of members
No
There is a Code of conduct for members
No

Salaries and allowances

Members are paid salaries by parliament
Click for historical data
Basic salary, per year
225,750 AUD
(2023)
Basic salary, per year in PPP
158,979
(2023)
Basic allowances
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Basic allowance in PPP
22,069
Names of the basic allowances

Electorate allowance.

Additionally:

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

Members pay income tax on salaries
Yes
Members pay income tax on allowances
No
Members can have remunerated employment outside parliament
No
Members are required to declare income from other employment to parliament
No information available
Salary of the Speaker
158,440 AUD
Salary of the Speaker in PPP
109,269
The parliamentary salary is determined in reference to another salary scale
No
Reference scale used for parliamentary salaries
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
Year data was last reported

2020

Facilities, services and allowances for constituency work
Personal staff to work directly for the parliamentarian
No
Office at parliament
Yes
Constituency office
No
Housing
No
Other cash or in-kind allowances for constituency work
No
Additional salaries and allowances for leadership positions
Additional salaries and allowances provided for leadership positions
Yes

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.

List of salaries and allowances for leadership positions
Salary Allowances
Speaker Yes
Committee Chair Yes
No

Participation in the government

Members of the government must also be members of parliament
Must be a member of parliament
Number of members of the parliament/chamber who are also members of the government
9
(2022)
Members for whom data is available
69
(2022)
Percentage of members of parliament/chamber who are also members of the government
11.8%
(2022-07 - 2022-12)

Historical data for IPU membership

Historical data for IPU membership
Year IPU membership
2020-09
List of values for 2020-09
No
2019-04
List of values for 2019-04
No
2018-06
List of values for 2018-06
No