The Constitutional Centre of Western Australia offers a diverse range of free, in person, educational programs for students from Year 4 to Year 9, all of which are linked to the WA Curriculum Civics and Citizenship outcomes. Information on each of these programs is available below, along with additional resources such as worksheets and lesson plans.
A series of online learning programs are also available to support those who are unable to attend the Centre in person. 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 our democratic system of government.
These online programs have been designed to work well with a wide range of classroom and home-based technologies. While they are best suited to the age group mentioned in the program descriptions below, all online programs can be adapted to suit both younger and older students.
- For access to an online program please click Online Access in the relevant program description below.
- For in person visits please visit our bookings calendar to view availability and complete a booking request.
- For visits to undertake our non-standard programs, please email the Constitutional Centre directly to request a booking.
Voting in the Community (Years 1 to 3) Available Online ONLY
Show moreThrough the use of storytelling and puppets, this program introduces students to the imaginary town of Parkesville and its inhabitants and discusses the concept of rules required to write a constitution, and the democratic process of voting to elect representatives. (EYLF Outcome 2; ACHASSK070; ACHASSK071)
See additional resources.
Rules and Laws (Year 4) Available as an Excursion and Online
Show moreA 60-minute excursion - through a class discussion, students will discover the differences and similarities between rules and laws and the role they both play in keeping people safe and maintaining order in our communities. The program culminates with students playing a game of bingo to consolidate their learning and reinforcing the need for rules and laws. (ACHASSK092).
See additional resources.
Democracy (Year 5) Available as an Excursion and Online
Show moreA 60-minute excursion - through a class discussion, students will discover the origins of democracy and the idea that democracy has evolved and changed over time. Undertaking a series of interactive activities students will learn about the building blocks of Australia’s democracy including some of our rights and freedoms and demonstrate some democratic values by completing a group activity. (ACHASSK115)
See additional resources.
Three Levels of Government (Year 6) Available as an Excursion and Online
Show morestate/territory and federal parliaments and the influence of the Westminster system.
A 60-minute excursion - undertaking a series of hands-on activities students will identify some of the key terms to describe Australia’s parliamentary system and compare and contrast the structure of local, state/territory and federal governments. Students will examine the roles and responsibilities of the three levels of government and test themselves with a class quiz. (ACHASSK144, ACHASSK143)
See additional resources.
Power and the Constitution (Year 7) Available as an Excursion and Online
Show moreA 60-minute excursion - undertaking a series of interactive activities, students will discover the purpose of the Australian Constitution along with some of the key democratic institutions it sets up including the House of Representatives and the Senate plus the High Court. It examines the three arms of government, the Legislative, Executive and Judiciary and introduces students to the concept of the separation of powers and its importance in keeping Australia’s democracy strong and robust. (ACHCK048)
See additional resources.
Democracy in Action (Year 8) Available as an Excursion and Online
Show moreA 60-minute excursion - through discussion and small group activities students work to consolidate their knowledge on Australia’s democracy through investigating different types of democracies and classifying some rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Students will study some key freedoms including the freedoms of speech, association, assembly, religion, movement and media with students discovering how they enable active participation. (ACHCK061, ACHCK062).
See additional resources.
Forming Government (Year 9) Available as an Excursion and Online
Show moreA 60-minute excursion - through the completion of interactive activities and group discussion, students learn about the roles and responsibilities of political parties and independent members within Australia’s federal parliament. This includes an examination of how government is formed, what happens in the case of a hung parliament, and an introduction to the influences on voter decision making. (ACHCK075)
See additional resources.
Constitutional Referendum (Year 7) Non-Standard Program - Available as an Excursion ONLY – must be requested via email
Show moreA 75-minute excursion - through group discussion and small group activities, students will study key features of the Australian Constitution and discover the requirements and process for undertaking a referendum. Students will examine previous attempts to change the Constitution including the successful 1967 referendum and the unsuccessful vote on the Establishment of a Republic held in 1999. The program culminates with students participating in a referendum vote and count. (ACHCK049)
Please note: This program can only be booked by contacting the Constitutional Centre team directly at cceducation@dpc.wa.gov.au.
Making Laws (Years 5 – 9) Non-Standard Program - Available as a Self-Led Excursion ONLY – must be requested via email
Show moreA 60-minute excursion – using bespoke teacher and student booklets provided, students will discover the way in which federal laws are initiated and passed through the Federal Parliament. Utilizing our custom-built chamber, Speaker’s chair and a mace, the program culminates with students participating in a parliamentary style debate on a real-life federal bill about “Online Safety” to demonstrate the passage of a bill. Suitable for students in Years 5-9, however best fits the curriculum in Years 6 and 8. (ACHASSK146, ACHCK063)
Please note: This program can only be booked by contacting the Constitutional Centre team directly at cceducation@dpc.wa.gov.au.
