Resource
Will the Referendum Pass?
Calculate the outcome of six fictional referendum result sets.
Preview the student activity
Download printer-friendly student PDFCheck the preview, printing notes and licence before use.
What children do
Calculate the outcome of six fictional referendum result sets.
Download
- Colour student PDF — 3 pages (A4 portrait).
- Printer-friendly student PDF — black outlines and white backgrounds.
- Separate answers and educator notes.
Age and preparation
Years 5–7. Allow around 20 minutes. A4 paper, pencils and optional colouring tools. Print at actual size.
Use the activity
Model one example, then let children work alone or with a partner. Keep the key separate until they are ready to check. Open tasks include sample responses and fair assessment guidance.
Accept spoken answers, pointing or a partner scribe when writing is a barrier. For a challenge, ask learners to explain the clue behind an answer. Colour never determines a factual answer.
Scope and accuracy
Constitutional change follows section 128. The general referendum test needs national YES above 50% and YES majorities in at least four of six states. Territory votes count nationally. Some alterations also need affected-state approval; the fictional numerical tasks do not involve that extra rule. Ballot practice uses an explicitly imaginary provision, not a real proposal.
Factual sources
Reviewed on 2 October 2026 against official Australian sources. Electoral review due: 2027-04-02, or sooner after a rule change. Original wording and illustrations are used; official artwork and ballot designs are not reproduced.
