THE COMPETITION:

Your aim is to create a unique deck of
‘Fabric of Australia’ playing cards!

The Steps:

ONE: Download

Explore the resources provided.

Download:

TWO: Pre-Test

Test what you already know.
Click the link to take the Benchmark Test.

THREE: Learn

Pick (or be assigned) a civics topic from the list of 14 existing cards. Each topic includes three subtopics for you to explore and represent. This research will help you prepare to create your civics cards.

  • Use the resources and activities provided to help you
  • Use any other resources your teacher gives you
  • Use Rule of Law Education Centre posters and your own research
  • Make use of classroom materials to design and create your own playing card

FOUR: Create

  • Divide the class into pairs.
  • Assign each pair on one of the 14 topic blank card sheets and provide each pair with the relevant factsheet. If using a class page on a learning platform, you could have a link to the resources page here so that they can look up the information directly and download it themselves.
  • Using the blank card templates, each pair must create one card for their topic area.

For example, for the topic Levels of Government, we have used the map of Australia held together with train tracks to represent the unified federalist system.

Students must create a new picture for their card that shows that concept in their understanding that other students could find relatable.

What should we draw for the front design?
A drawing, symbol, or image that visually represents the subtopic.  Encourage creativity and original designs based on the students’ understanding

Five: Submit

Your teacher will collect and send your card designs through to the team at education@ruleoflaw.org.au.

Each submission must include:

      • Your teacher’ s name
      • Your teacher’s email address
      • Your school’s name
      • Your name or the names of all group members (if a group submission)

SIX: Post-test

Take the Post-Test Survey to reflect on what you’ve learned.

Click the link to complete the survey.

SEVEN: Winners and Recognition

Because all classes aren’t made the same, there are two entry categories – Most Engaging Picture and Best Set of Cards, each with their own prize.

    • Most engaging picture (for smaller or single picture entries). Catering to smaller classes and single entries, entries to this category will have the chance to have their entry made into an A2 poster sent to them to keep!
    • Best set of cards (for entries of a complete set of 14 pictures for a full set of cards). Groups submitting a set of 14 pictures for a complete set of cards will be in the running to win a full printed set of cards with their own designs, a lasting resource that reinforces learning and encourages pride in civic participation.

PLUS, there will also be a First Past the Post mystery prize up for grabs every competition period for the first class that sends us a picture of the poster with every topic ticked off as being covered!

Stay tuned for announcements about winning entries and class recognition.

For any issues, please do not hesitate to email education@ruleoflaw.org.au.

 

The Topics

(Use these to make your 3 cards — each card = 1 subtopic)

(Choose one topic and create a card for each of its three subtopics) 

Constitution – Separation of powers, division of powers, the people’s document

Governance Structures – Legislature, Executive, Judiciary

Levels of Government – Federal, State, local

Principles of Justice – Equality, fairness, access

Fair Trial – Judicial independence, due process, presumption of innocence

Laws – Types of Laws, Law Making and Effective Laws

Representative Democracy – Parliamentary sovereignty, checks and balances, active and engaged citizens

Rule of Law – Equality before the law, checks and balances, people power

Freedoms – Rights as citizens and humans, patchwork of protections, freedom of speech

Active and Engaged Citizens – Voting and juries, rights and responsibilities

Equality before the law – Equal benefit of the law, Equally subject to the law, Equal substance of the law

Values – Respect for others, a fair go, freedom

Pluralism – British heritage, Migrant heritage, Indigenous heritage

Key dates

The competition will all year in order to enable access for students covering relevant content in different terms.

2026

Competition Opens:
9am AEDST Monday February 09

Competition Closes:
5pm AEDST Friday November 20

Contact us

If you have any questions or would like to know more details about anything to do with the Informed Competition, please get in touch with us at education@ruleoflaw.org.au