<P> The Government of the Commonwealth of Australia is divided into the executive branch , composed of the Federal Executive Council presided by the Governor - General , which delegates powers to the Cabinet of Australia led by the Prime Minister , the legislative branch composed of the Parliament of Australia 's House of Representatives and Senate , and the judicial branch composed of the High Court of Australia and federal courts . Separation of powers is implied by the structure of the Constitution , the three branches of government being set out in separate chapters ( chapters I to III ) . The Australian system of government combines elements of the Westminster and Washington systems with unique Australian characteristics , and has been characterised as a `` Washminster mutation '' . </P>
who makes up the legislative branch in australia
the Parliament of Australia 's House of Representatives and Senate