Requirements for Petitions
The requirements for petitions are based on the House of Representatives Standing Orders which are the rules of procedure for the House. The Standing Orders can be found here.
When writing your petition, ask yourself:
- Does it ask the House to do something and explain the reasons why you want this to occur?
- Is what you have asked the House to do a matter where the House can act? This usually means something that the Federal Government is responsible for.
- For example
- We therefore ask the House to adjust the limit of science allocated to the Australian primary and secondary schools curriculum
- The petitioners request that the House keep a Medicare office where it is currently located
- Have you used moderate language?
Make sure your petition is:
- about something that the House of Representatives is responsible for (the House cannot take any action on issues that are the responsibility of individuals, local councils, State or Territory governments or private companies)
- addressed to the Speaker and the House for example not the Prime Minister or an individual Minister
- clear what you are asking for
- does not promote illegal acts and
- does not contains language that is offensive.
All petitions are limited to 250 words. Please don’t send in attachments such as letters, photos or other documentation as these will not be considered by the Committee and are not able to be returned. Do not refer to any URLs or web links in your petition.
If your petition is not approved by the Committee, you’ll be told why and we will suggest other ways you can raise your issues.
More information can be found on our Frequently Asked Questions page.