Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visitors are kindly advised that this website includes images, sounds and names of people who have passed.
All users should be aware that some topics or historical content may be culturally sensitive, offensive or distressing, and that some images may contain nudity or are of people not yet identified. Certain words, terms or descriptions may reflect the author's/creator's attitude or that of the period in which they were written, but are now considered inappropriate in today's context.
Log in as a Library member (NSW residents only) or visit the Library | |
Visit the Library | |
Freely accessible eresource |
This guide will help you find out about the Australian legal system, doing legal research, and finding cases, legislation and commentary about the law on a subject or topic.
This guide has been developed by staff of the Legal Information Access Centre (LIAC), State Library of NSW. The State Library holds an extensive collection of case law, legislation and looseleaf publications.
Where do laws come from?
Discover in 10 minutes how a Bill becomes an Act, how legislation changes over time, and why some laws are made by the Commonwealth and others by the states.
Captioned version also available.
Developed by LIAC, State Library of NSW
Legislation is a major source of law. Courts are the other source.
In this 10 minutes video you'll also find out about the court hierarchy, and the courts' and tribunals' jurisdictions.
Developed by LIAC, State Library of NSW
Captioned version also available.
Search the State Library catalogue to find information about parliamentary procedure. One useful publication about the Senate: