Through our assistance to Commonwealth development programs, Australia is supporting democratic processes, small states, climate change, youth and civil society engagement, education and the rights of LGBTI persons. In 2021-22 Australia provided an estimated $5.9 million in total to Commonwealth development programs.
Australia is the third-largest contributor to the Commonwealth budget. We are represented on the Commonwealth Secretariat's Board of Governors, and its Executive Committee, by the High Commissioner for Australia to the United Kingdom.
While the majority of taxation revenue is collected by the Commonwealth, the States retain spending responsibilities well in excess of their ability to raise revenue under current arrangements.
Total bilateral overseas aid committed by the FCDO to programmes in Commonwealth countries is projected to be cut by 46 per cent, from around £1.1bn in 2020/21 to £600m in 2021/22.
Funds and finances
The Secretariat and CYP budgets are financed by assessed contributions from member governments.
The simple answer is No. Australia does not pay a cent for the maintenance or security of the Sovereign.
It costs an average of $1.55 per Canadian each year to support the Monarchy in Canada. This money does not go to the routine expenses of the Queen, but rather to the offices of the Governor General and Lieutenant Governor. Contrary to public rumors, at no time do Canadians "pay money" to Britain or to the Royal Family.
The Queen receives a yearly sum through what is known as the Sovereign Grant , which is equivalent to £1.29 per person in the UK. In Aussie dollars, that's around $2.23 per person, which last financial year amounted to a whopping $148 million.
Commonwealth member countries benefit from being part of a mutually supportive community of independent and sovereign states, aided by more than 80 Commonwealth organisations. The Commonwealth Secretariat, established in 1965, supports Commonwealth member countries to achieve development, democracy and peace.
The Constitution Act, 1982 patriated the British North America Act, 1867 to Canada , thus ending any Canadian dependence on the Parliament of Westminster and further defining its complete independence.
Obviously the Queen does not reside in Australia, but she is represented by a resident Governor-General, now always an Australian. We do not pay the Queen any money for her upkeep or even for her duties as Queen of Australia. We do pay a salary to the Governor-General and pay for the upkeep for the official residences.
This event is known as Federation and resulted in the creation of Australia as a constitutional monarchy with the monarch as our Head of State. As Australia's history is closely tied to Britain we have chosen to maintain our membership of the Commonwealth to the present-day.
The main reason Australia ranks so highly on individual income tax levels is because Australians don't pay separate social security taxes. These account for an average 25.9% of total tax revenue, or close to 9% of GDP, across the OECD.
The UK was the second-largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Australia in 2022 ($138 billion), and the second-largest source of foreign investment in terms of total stock ($1.007 trillion).
The UK had a trade surplus with the Commonwealth of £3 billion – a deficit in goods was offset by a surplus in services. The value of UK exports to the Commonwealth increased by 22% in cash terms (i.e., unadjusted for inflation) between 2021 and 2022, while the value of imports from the Commonwealth increased by 28%.
In accordance with the Australia Act 1986, the sovereign has the power to appoint, on the advice of the relevant state premier, a governor in each of the Australian states, who themselves appoint executive bodies, as well as people to fill casual Senate vacancies, if the relevant state parliament is not in session.
The Commonwealth is an association of 56 countries working towards shared goals of prosperity, democracy and peace.
While the USA was a part of British empire but it did not leave like other countries like Canada, new Zealand. USA Gaines independence way earlier than those countries, so when commonwealth was formed, USA had moved far away from culture, political influence of Britain, so they did not join.
Ireland and Zimbabwe are the only republic states to have withdrawn from the Commonwealth entirely. In 1948 and 2003 respectively. Here is a list of Commonwealth republics and the year they first joined the Commonwealth: Bangladesh (1972)
Australia's average wealth is just 1.8 times our median wealth; by contrast the UK's is 2.2 times greater, while the US is second worst out of the top 50, at 6.7 times. Russia is the most inequitable, with its average wealth 12.6 times that of the median wealth.
As an Australian working in the UK, you are obliged to comply with the UK tax requirements. This is why you must obtain a National Insurance number upon your arrival, as this is a requirement for tax purposes. This is the equivalent of an Australian Tax File Number.
That's approximately USD 5,032 per month, according to the exchange rates in April 2023. Interestingly, the average monthly salary in Australia is lower than in the United States (USD 7,900 per month) and the United Kingdom (USD 7,347 per month).
"Any change in the arrangements around the Crown would require the unanimity of all provinces and the federal government. The chances of getting that are not good." Canada is a constitutional monarchy, which means the British sovereign is our ceremonial head of state, represented by the Governor General.
Much of the royal family's expenses are covered by an annual taxpayer-funded payment known as the Sovereign Grant, which in the 2021-2022 financial year was set at 86.3 million pounds ($108m) – roughly 1.29 pounds ($1.61) for every person in the UK.
The mandate of the Commonwealth is to serve the needs of its member governments and their citizens in political, economic and social development. The Commonwealth also provides a forum for deliberation, problem solving, consensual decision-making and action on matters of importance to its membership.