Information for candidates
Candidates Handbook for federal elections
As in previous election years, this handbook is published by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), the Commonwealth agency which maintains the electoral roll and conducts federal elections and referendums.
The handbook covers the stages of the electoral process. It goes into some detail about how electoral law applies to candidates and those assisting them. Each chapter lists the parts of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (the Act) upon which it is based. The AEC advises that you consult the Australian Constitution, the Act, and other legislation referred to for the exact provisions.
The AEC can assist you by providing information of a general nature about the nomination process and campaign activity. However, we cannot provide you with formal or informal legal advice.
This Handbook (Version 2, 20 July 2010) contains details of recent electoral legislation changes to voting arrangements for electors who are blind or have low vision. It also explains expanded grounds upon which an elector may cast an early vote.
Candidates Handbook, Version 2 federal election 2010 [PDF 2.6MB]
High Court decision affecting enrolments for the 2010 federal election
The link below to the AEC's media release provides important information about the High Court decision which means eligible people, who submitted a correctly completed enrolment form after 8pm on Monday 19 July but before 8pm on Monday 26 July, were entitled to vote at the 21 August 2010 federal election.
Candidate nomination guide for federal elections
If you're thinking about standing as a candidate for the Commonwealth Parliament, this guide outlines the steps you will need to take when nominating for the Senate or the House of Representatives.
Nomination Guide for Candidates, federal elections [PDF 440KB]
Candidate nomination forms for federal elections
Nomination forms are fillable PDFs and can either be completed electronically and printed for signing, or just printed for completion by hand. Sample forms are available to assist you completing the forms correctly.
Scrutineers
Candidates in a federal election are not allowed to be in a polling place, except in order to vote. They are also not permitted to observe the counting of votes (the scrutiny) for elections in which they are candidates. They have the right, however, to appoint scrutineers to represent them during the polling and throughout the various stages of counting ballot papers.
Further information
Electoral Backgrounder: Constitutional Disqualifications and Intending Candidates [PDF 375K]
AEC news