Being an Adult
Being an Adult
Being an adult means you need to take responsibility over certain aspects of your life, be independent and look after yourself – at some point in adulthood we all wish to go back in time to being younger with very little responsibilities – adulting is tough work!
When you become an adult there are many rules to follow, such as road rule when you get your licence; the general rules of society, like paying your bills or voting; and the legal aspects of the law. These areas of responsibility have been outlined below to help guide you through moving into adulthood.
Driving & Cars
Everything you need to know about getting your licence and driving in WA.
How to Vote
Your vote is your voice on the laws and decisions that affect you and your community. By voting in elections, you have the opportunity to choose the person who you think will best represent your views in the Parliament. Voting is also important to many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people because Indigenous Australians did not achieve equal voting rights for federal elections until 1962.
When and where do I vote?
Federal election day is always on a Saturday. Voting takes place between 8am and 6pm at polling places around the country. Mobile polling teams also visit many remote areas in
Australia in the weeks before election day. If you can’t make it to a polling place on election day, you may be entitled to vote early either in person or by post.
What happens if I don’t vote?
Voting is compulsory for Australian citizens aged 18 years or older. If you do not vote and don’t have a valid and sufficient reason, you may be fined.
Who am I voting for?
At election time, you will vote for a person to represent your area (known as an electorate) in the House of Representatives. There are 151 members in the House of Representatives.
Post Office
Australia Post is the government business enterprise that provides postal services in Australia. Australia Post provides reliable and affordable postal, retail, financial and travel services.
Emergency Contacts & Next of Kin
Your next-of-kin is someone in a close personal relationship with you who has a personal interest in your welfare. In Australia, it generally means a ‘person responsible’ for you, or a ‘substitute decision maker’ in case decisions need to be made on your behalf.
Your Rights; Police, Crime & the Law
