No. 4 Categories of business (PDF 167KB)

Certain times in the Senate's routine of business are reserved for considering certain categories of business. An understanding of the categories of business will assist in following the routine of business in the Senate each day and in understanding and using the Red and the Notice Paper.

What is the routine of business?

On each sitting day the Senate transacts its proceedings in a typical order, set out in the standing orders and referred to as the routine of business. The routine of business for each sitting day is spelled out in standing order 57 and available online.

Categories of business

Particular times in the Senate's routine of business are set aside for particular categories of business. There are three main categories of business:

• business of the Senate, which is defined in standing order 58;
• government business, which is business initiated by a minister; and
• general business, which is all other business initiated by senators who are not ministers.

Business of the Senate includes disallowance motions (Guide No. 19—Disallowance), motions to refer matters to standing committees (Guide No. 13—Referring matters to committees) and orders requiring the presentation of committee reports. Motions concerning leave of absence for senators and motions concerning the qualification of senators under the Constitution also fall within this category.

Government business is business initiated by a minister. The majority of government business consists of government legislation but it can also include motions proposed by a minister.

General business consists of all other business initiated by senators who are not ministers.

Notices and orders

Within each category there are two types of business, notices of motion and orders of the day.

A notice of motion indicates a senator's intention to move a particular motion on a particular day (see Guide No. 8—Notices of motion). Notices are placed on the Notice Paper under the relevant category of business in the order in which they are given.

An order of the day is an item of business that the Senate has set down for consideration on a particular day. The most common orders of the day are orders to continue a debate adjourned on a previous day, orders requiring the presentation of committee reports and orders to commence the next stage of consideration of legislation.

When will an item of business be considered?

On a sitting day, the routine of business provides for particular business to be transacted at particular times.

Government business only

The routine of business sets aside times for "government business only". During this time government business is called on in any order in which the government sees fit.

Private senators' bills

The routine of business sets aside times for the consideration of private senators' bills. The bills to be considered at these times are determined in advance by the Senate, after consultation between party whips and other senators.

Business of the Senate

Business of the Senate motions can be moved and determined without debate using the expedited procedures for formal motions (See guide No. 8—Notices of motion). If a senator wishes to debate a business of the Senate motion instead of moving it during formal motions, there is time set out in the routine of business later in the day in which such motions can be debated.

General business

General business notices of motion that meet certain criteria outlined in standing order 66 can be moved and determined without debate using the expedited procedures during formal motions (See Guide No. 8—Notices of motion). If a senator wishes to debate their general business motion, or if it does not comply with the criteria set out for formal motions, the routine of business sets aside time for consideration on Thursday afternoons. The particular general business motion to be considered at this time is determined in advance by the Senate, after consultation between the whips and other senators.

Need assistance?

For assistance with any of the matters covered by this guide, government senators or their staff should contact the Clerk Assistant (Table), on extension 3020 or ca.table.sen@aph.gov.au; and

non-government senators or their staff should contact the Clerk Assistant (Procedure), on extension 3380 or ca.procedure.sen@aph.gov.au.

Last reviewed: June 2025