The US government has been shut down for the first time in more than six years after Democrats and Republicans failed to agree on federal funding by midnight on October 1 (2pm today AEST).

Democrats voted down a Republican bill to grant temporary funding earlier this morning, which would have prevented the shutdown, as both parties remain in a deadlock about health benefits.

Federal agencies were ordered to make preparations hours before the deadline, as hundreds and thousands of federal workers will have their pay impacted.

Here is exactly what that means. 

What is a government shutdown?

Federal agencies across the country will be shuttered, with non-essential workers, like park rangers, put on leave without pay.

Essential federal workers, like the military, immigration and

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