A bill is a proposal for a law or a change to an existing law. A bill becomes law (an Act) when agreed to in identical form by both houses of Parliament and assented to by the Governor-General.
Bills introduced to Parliament are scrutinised to make sure they meet certain standards and to consider whether they should be referred to a committee for further investigation. This can include feedback from stakeholders and the general public, and a report recommending potential improvements to the bill.
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Bills lists
All bills before Parliament for the current calendar year and details of their progress.
Parliamentary Library analysis of bills, including the purpose, background and key issues.
Parliament delegates the power to legislate so details of law can be changed quickly by others. These delegated laws are referred to as legislative instruments and can be overruled – disallowed – by Parliament.
Legislative instruments subject to a notice of motion to disallow. The progress and eventual outcome of any such notice is also recorded.
The introduction of a tariff proposal is the formal procedure for initiating the collection of customs and excise duties.
Bills referred to committees
To inquire and report views on the bill from organisations and individuals.
Statistics on legislation
Printed bills and explanatory memoranda
Order printed versions at the Federal Register of Legislation by clicking the print icon at the document level.