Monarchy of Australia

The monarchy of Australia is a key component of Australia's form of government, embodied by the Australian sovereign and head of state. The Australian monarchy is a constitutional one, modelled on the Westminster system of parliamentary government, while incorporating features unique to the constitution of Australia.

The present monarch is King Charles III, who has reigned since 8 September 2022. The King is represented at the federal level by the governor-general (currently David Hurley), in accordance with the Australian constitution and letters patent from his mother and predecessor, Queen Elizabeth II. Similarly, in each of the Australian states, the monarch is represented by a governor (assisted by a lieutenant-governor), according to the Australia Act and respective letters-patent and state constitutions. The King appoints the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister and the state governors on the advice of the respective premiers. These are the only mandatory constitutional functions of the monarch of Australia.

Australian constitutional law provides that the person who is monarch of the United Kingdom is also the monarch of Australia. This is understood today to constitute a separate Australian monarchy, the monarch acting with regard to Australian affairs exclusively upon the advice of Australian state and federal ministers. Australia is one of the Commonwealth realms, 15 independent countries that share the same person as monarch and head of state.