How a bill becomes law in the Australian Parliament

Headlines often say a new law has been announced. In practice, an announcement is only the start. Every federal law begins as a bill, a written proposal for a new law or a change to an existing one, and it has to pass several steps before it has any legal effect.

Where ideas come from

According to the Parliamentary Education Office, ideas for bills can come from a government department raising a problem with its minister, from community, business or lobby groups speaking to members of parliament, from political parties, or from a parliamentary committee that has examined an issue.

The usual path

To become law, a bill must be:

• introduced into and debated by both the Senate and the House of Representatives

• passed by a majority vote in each house

• agreed to in identical form by both houses

• given Royal Assent, meaning it is signed into law by the Governor-General.

Most bills start in the House of Representatives, because money and taxation bills cannot be introduced in the Senate. Most are introduced by government ministers, although other members can introduce private members' or private senators' bills.

When it takes effect

Once signed, the bill becomes an Act of Parliament. It starts on the date written into it or, if no date is given, 28 days after Royal Assent.

Scrutiny and your say

Senate and House committees can investigate bills, seek feedback from Australians and make recommendations. Every bill is also checked by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights. Committee inquiries are one of the most direct ways for the public to contribute before a law is settled.

So the next time a policy is announced, a useful question is: has it been introduced, has it passed both houses, and has it received Royal Assent?