How are federal laws and Victorian state laws handled when they conflict?

In the Australian federal system, the Constitution establishes a clear division of powers between the Commonwealth (federal) government and the states, such as Victoria.

When a conflict arises between federal and state laws, the High Court of Australia serves as the final arbiter. The court is tasked with the special duty of interpreting the federal constitution and resolving disputes regarding the validity of legislation.12

Under the constitutional framework, the federal government holds specific enumerated powers—such as defense, foreign policy, and immigration—while the states retain "residual powers" over areas like justice, education, and health. If a state law is found to be inconsistent with a valid federal law, the federal law generally prevails to the extent of that inconsistency. The High Court provides the definitive legal resolution to these constitutional disputes, ensuring the balance of power defined by the nation's founding document is maintained.21