Services provided at the Constitutional Centre of Western Australia

A series of online learning programs based on our face-to-face programs is now available. These programs are designed for students in Year 1 to Year 9, but can be adapted for other year groups and are also available for anyone keen to learn more about State, Federal and Local Government. 

The programs are compatible with a wide range of classroom technologies, and allow students to experience the high quality civics education provided by the Constitutional Centre from the comfort of their regular learning environment.

All online programs come with background and teaching notes (including lesson plans) allowing teachers to easily implement the curriculum based courses in their classrooms. 

To access our online programs please see our School Programs page.

How do I access a program?

Visit the School Programs page, identify the program you are interested in and click the Online Access button -this will take you directly to the program landing page.

What do the programs contain?

Our programs are based on the civics outcomes within the Western Australian Curriculum. Each program contains a variety of information, interactive learning activities and discussion points.  Lesson plans and background notes are available for each program. They are also available under additional resources on our School Programs page. 

I am a teacher. How can I use these programs in my classroom?

Our programs are designed to be flexible in their implementation. Some classroom technology is required- an interactive whiteboard, projector and/or individual devices such as laptops would be ideal to use.

We recommend that you test the program using your preferred device(s) before using it with your students.

I am a teacher. How will these programs benefit me?

These programs have many potential benefits for teachers. They are ready for implementation in a classroom, complete with lesson plan, and can be used as an introduction, during, or as a review of the particular topic.

The programs can be completed within a single class or across several, and various activities within them can be used to complement other lessons and activities.

Additionally, these programs are a useful starting point If you wish to update your knowledge prior to teaching a particular civics topic.

I am a parent. Can I access these programs for my child to use?

Yes, parents are welcome to access these programs and they are easy to use, particularly in a home school setting. You will need a desktop computer, laptop, iPad, or other similarly capable tablet.

The programs can assist parents in gaining background knowledge and information to support civics learning.

Almost all of the programs can be completed independently by children and young people at home, depending on their age and the particular program.

Are the online programs different to the in person programs taught at the Constitutional Centre?

Our online programs cover the same content and curriculum outcomes as their corresponding face-to-face programs. The activities can differ, but both versions of each program deliver the same quality learning opportunities and content for students.

Can I share the program link?

Absolutely! The more people who are able to access our online programs, the better. However, we would encourage you to consider sharing our School Programs page with those who are interested in our online programs rather than a direct program link, so they will also have access to the full suite of accompanying resources.  

The program does not work properly on my classroom Smartboard.

Full program functionality is not available on all smartboards. For best results please ensure your smartboard device is operating on the most current software and firmware.

If you are still having issues please reach out to us at cceducation@dpc.wa.gov.au.

How can I provide feedback about a program?

We welcome your feedback. You can either provide this via our program feedback survey (located at the end of each program), or you can email us at cceducation@dpc.wa.gov.au. 

The Centre offers free educational sessions to school groups in the beautifully restored old Hale School heritage building near Parliament House. A list of the programs available and the link to make a booking is available on our School Programs page.

With the Electoral Education Centre sharing our premises and Parliament House just a short walk away, many teachers organise a fully immersive civics excursion by booking a program/tour with each agency on the same day.

The best session times to book with each agency are 9.30 – 10.30am, 11.15 – 12.15pm and 1.00 – 2.00 pm. This allows time for students to have a break between each session and move between each location.

The Constitutional Centre, the Electoral Education Centre, and Parliament House are all separate organisations and must be booked separately however we are happy to provide advice on this process, so please contact us at cceducation@dpc.wa.gov.au for assistance.

All facilitators at the Centre hold a current Working with Children check. Information on the Centre’s evacuation procedures and the Department’s General Liability Certificate of Currency which covers the Centre are provided at the bottom of this page.

Is there parking available?

There is a bus bay outside the Centre for drop off and pick up of students, along with a large amount of paid street parking on Havelock Street and Parliament Place. 

Can you teach more than one class at the same time?

Unfortunately we are only able to actively teach one class per session. If you have more than one class attending we recommend you book other activities such as the Electoral Education Centre, co-located in our premises, or Parliament House, so your students can rotate through sessions. 

If unable to book elsewhere we have a self-led activity which may be suitable for your students. Contact us at cceducation@dpc.wa.gov.au to discuss further if you believe you will require this. 

How many students can I bring?

We are able to take a maximum of 36 students per session, and run three sessions a day. This means if you have booked external activities for your students to rotate through, you can bring a maximum of 108 students to the Centre per day. 

If you have more students than this please either book sessions across multiple days, or contact us at cceducation@dpc.wa.gov.au to discuss options. 

How much does it cost?

All education sessions at the Constitutional Centre are provided free of charge. 

What will my students learn about during their visit?

A description of all the programs we offer is available on the School Programs page.

How long is a session? 

Our sessions run for one hour, and we encourage groups to be assembled ready in the courtyard at least five minutes before your session is due to commence. 

With advance notice we may be able to accommodate different session durations should your group require it. 

Can I book a specific program for my students if they are not in the recommended year level? 

All of the programs offered at the Constitutional Centre have been developed to link closely with specific Civics and Citizenship outcomes in the WA Curriculum, and as such are designed to meet the educational needs of the specified year group. 

We do not recommend booking a program aimed at a different year level than your students for an excursion visit unless there are extenuating circumstances. If you believe this is the case, please contact us at cceducation@dpc.wa.gov.au to discuss your options further. 

I teach a split year class. Can I still bring my students?

If you are bringing multiple split classes, we recommend sorting the students into year groups for their rotation to ensure the best possible education outcomes. 

If unable to split the students or you are only bringing one class, please book the program that best reflects the capabilities of the majority of your students, and leave a note in the booking request form to say you will be bringing a split class so our educators can prepare appropriately. 

There are student/s with a disability in my class. Can you accommodate them? 

We welcome everyone at the Constitutional Centre. If there are students within your class that have specific needs please provide details of this in your booking request form so our educators can prepare appropriately. 

If you would like to discuss the needs of your students further please contact us at cceducation@dpc.wa.gov.au. 

I tried to book online but there are no sessions showing on that day. Can I still book?

If there are no sessions showing on our bookings calendar we are not able to teach on that day. Please choose a day with dark green (available) session options to book. 

What do we need to bring? 

Students may bring a water bottle and food for recess/lunch to eat before or after their visit in the courtyard or grassed area at the front of the building. Please encourage students to bring a small bag, as storage space is limited. 

Teachers will need to bring a first aid kit and any paperwork as required by their school’s excursion policy (such as student health information). Teachers maintain a duty of care towards their students at all times while visiting the Constitutional Centre. 

What documentation do I need for our excursion? 

Common documents required when organising excursions are located at the bottom of the page, including the General Liability Certificate of Currency, and a document with information regarding emergency procedures. 

You will also receive a booking confirmation via email once the details of your booking are finalised. 

The Centre welcomes requests from individuals and community groups for educational sessions, seminars and tours regarding the nature of Australia’s systems of government and its history.

We are also able to offer sessions on civics and citizenship to university students (such as pre-service teachers), TAFE classes, and recent migrant groups.

We don’t offer standard programs for these sessions, but are instead able to customise a program to match your required education outcomes. 

All visits to the Centre must be booked in advance - we are unable to offer walk-in education or tours. If you are interested in visiting the Centre please fill out this form or contact us at cceducation@dpc.wa.gov.au

Can you give me a copy of the Constitution?

Unfortunately we are not able to provide physical copies of the Constitution to members of the public.

A digital version of the Australian Constitution can be accessed on the Parliament of Australia website here, or a hard copy can be purchased from the Parliamentary Education Office here.

The Western Australian Constitution is found in several Acts of Parliament. The key documents are the Western Australia Constitution Act 1889, and the Western Australian Constitution Amendment Act 1899.

Can you give me advice on a Constitutional law matter?

The Centre is an education institution, and we are unable to provide advice on any legal matters.

Is there parking available?

There is paid street parking available near the Centre on Havelock Street and Parliament Place.

The Centre is also easily accessible by public transport, conveniently located within a short walk of Red and Green CAT bus stops.

Can I visit on the weekend/evening?

Education sessions are facilitated during regular business hours, 8:30am – 5:00pm Monday to Friday.

Can I learn about a specific issue during a visit?

Where possible our facilitators are more than willing to cover any civics topic you are interested in, within the areas of their expertise.

If there is a specific topic you would like to learn more about please mention it when requesting your visit, and our educator will be in touch if there are any issues.