The Importance of Reinforcing Civics Education in Primary and Secondary Classrooms Ahead of the Upcoming Australian Federal Election

While the 2025 Australian Federal Election is yet to be called, the race to the polls has well and truly begun. It is likely that students and their families are seeing campaign material and speaking about what the upcoming election could mean. It is also likely that they are not, and students don’t understand the significance of this period.

This is a fantastic opportunity for educators to inform their students, no matter their age, about the importance of understanding our democracy and being involved in civil procedures.

Recent reports show that Australian students’ understanding of civics and democracy is at an all-time low. The latest National Assessment Program – Civics and Citizenship (NAP-CC) results reveal that only 43% of Year 6 students and 28% of Year 10 students achieved proficiency in civics knowledge, some of the lowest figures recorded in two decades¹. With a federal election approaching, now is the perfect time for schools to re-emphasise the importance of civics education and equip students with the knowledge they need to participate in Australia’s democracy.

Why Does Civics Education Matter?

Civics education is more than just learning about government structures; it teaches students how laws are made, why elections matter, and how they can actively contribute to society. Without this foundation, young Australians risk becoming disengaged from political and civic life.

A report from the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) found that students with stronger civics knowledge are more likely to vote, participate in community activities, and engage in discussions about national issues². However, as civic understanding declines, so does voter participation. The 2022 federal election saw the lowest voter turnout since compulsory voting was introduced in 1925, with more than 17% of eligible Australians failing to cast a ballot³.

Research also suggests that civic disengagement can lead to weaker trust in democratic institutions. The 2023 Democracy Perception Index reported that only 55% of Australians believe their government acts in the interest of the majority, down from 68% a decade ago⁴. Without a strong understanding of how democracy functions, students may feel disconnected from decision-making processes and be less likely to participate in shaping their communities.

According to Dr. Zareh Ghazarian, a political scientist at Monash University, “Understanding civics is crucial to maintaining a strong democracy. If young people don’t learn how their government works, they are less likely to participate in elections or engage in community decision-making”⁵.

Teaching students to trust democratic institutions is not about persuading them to one side or the other. In fact, it is the opposite. Helping students learn how decisions are made and how these decisions progress through parliament enables them to better perceive the intended outcomes and motives and decide for themselves whether they agree with it or not.

Furthermore, civics education has been linked to stronger critical thinking skills and greater resilience against misinformation. A study from the University of Sydney found that students who receive formal civics education are 40% more likely to correctly identify false or misleading political statements compared to those who do not⁶. In an era where social media plays a dominant role in shaping political opinions, ensuring students can critically assess information is essential.

Without intervention, the downward trend in civics knowledge could have long-term consequences for Australian democracy. This makes it vital for schools to reinvigorate civics education and empower students to become informed, engaged citizens.

Challenges in Teaching Civics Education

Despite being part of the Australian Curriculum, civics education often receives less attention than other subjects.

Some of the main challenges include:

• Limited classroom time

The topics of civics and citizenship are often integrated into Humanities and Social Sciences, meaning it competes with history and geography.

• Lack of student engagement  

Many students see civics as abstract and disconnected from their daily lives.

• Teachers lacking resources

Many teachers report needing more training and classroom materials to effectively teach civics⁷.

How Schools Can Strengthen Civics Education

With the election coming up, now is the perfect opportunity for schools to make civics education more engaging. Here’s how teachers can integrate civics into their lessons:

For Primary Students (Years 3–6): Making Democracy Fun and Interactive

At this stage, the focus should be on introducing key democratic concepts through engaging, hands-on activities.

• Run a class election

Have students nominate candidates, create campaign speeches, and vote to simulate real election processes.

• Use storytelling and role-playing

Books and role-play activities about famous Australians in history can help children understand key civic values.

• Explore community involvement

Assign students simple projects like writing a letter to their local council about an issue they care about.

• Engage students in the short but rich political history of Australia (upper primary)

Assign each student one of the 31 Australian Prime Ministers and ask them to research and outline information such as their rise to office, their political party, their successes in office, their duration in office and parliament, and even the reasons for their exit. They can present this in the form of posters, digital presentations, etc.

For Secondary Students (Years 7–10): Encouraging Critical Thinking and Debate

Older students can dive deeper into how democracy functions and why participation is essential.

• Host debates on current issues

Encourage students to discuss real political and social topics, fostering an understanding of different perspectives and teaching students how to respect and respond to alternative opinions.

• Use digital tools and simulations

Websites like the Parliamentary Education Office (PEO) offer online resources where students can explore how laws are made and test their knowledge of government.

• Connect lessons to real-world events

Analysing upcoming election campaigns, policies, and media coverage can make civics more relevant to students’ lives.

• Interactive Quizzes

The Parliamentary Education Office has created many interactive, informative quizzes that you can use in your classrooms to test your students’ knowledge.

Government Support: The PACER Program

One valuable initiative that schools can take advantage of is the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) program. This federally funded scheme provides financial assistance to schools so students can visit Canberra and experience Australia’s democratic institutions first-hand. Through guided tours of Parliament House, the High Court, and the Museum of Australian Democracy, students gain a deeper understanding of how government works.

A 2022 evaluation of the PACER program found that 82% of participating students reported a better understanding of Australia’s political system after their visit⁸. Encouraging more schools to take advantage of this program could help address the current decline in civics knowledge.

The Role of Schools in Strengthening Democracy

It is evident that schools and teachers play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of informed citizens.

By incorporating more engaging civics lessons and making use of resources like PACER, schools can help students develop the skills and knowledge needed to be active participants in democracy. The more students understand about how their country is run, the more likely they are to engage in political processes and be informed, respectful, considerate, active contributors to their communities.

Our lovely Building Character & Resilience Program Coordinator has also put together a helpful article about the three main good habits that your students will develop whilst learning about civics and democracy.

Click here to read ‘From Werewolf to Democracy: Teaching Respect, Responsibility, and Discernment for Active Citizenship‘.

References:

1. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). (2024). National Assessment Program – Civics and Citizenship Report 2024. ↩︎
2. Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). (2023). The Impact of Civics Education on Civic Engagement in Australia. ↩︎
3. Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). (2023). Federal Election Turnout Report 2022. ↩︎
4. Democracy Perception Index. (2023). Public Trust in Democratic Institutions: Australia Report. ↩︎
5. Ghazarian, Z. (2023). Why Civics Education Matters in Australia’s Democracy. Monash University. ↩︎
6. University of Sydney. (2023). Civics Education and the Fight Against Political Misinformation. ↩︎
7. Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). (2023). Challenges in Teaching Civics and Citizenship in Australian Schools. ↩︎
8. Department of Education. (2022). PACER Program Evaluation Report. Canberra. ↩︎