Australian Electoral Commission
Indigenous Australians are much less likely to enrol to vote than other Australians. Many of those who are enrolled do not vote or vote incorrectly.
Make sure you get a say in your future and in the future of your community. Get enrolled to vote and find out how to make your vote count.
We’re looking for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to work on election day and throughout the election period. If you’re energetic, good with people, have an eye for detail and can keep your cool when there’s a lot going on, we encourage you to apply.
You can apply for temporary employment online or call us on 13 23 26. If you wish, you can ask to be put through to an AEC Indigenous and Community Engagement Officer.
Employment opportunities are part of the AEC’s continuing priority to ‘close the gap’ in Indigenous disadvantage in electoral participation.
The AEC established the Indigenous Electoral Participation Program (IEPP) in 2010 to close the gap in Indigenous disadvantage in electoral participation. The IEPP operates from each state and territory capital city and at the AEC’s national office in Canberra.
The IEPP offers a range of videos, products and resources for schools, community groups and individuals. Contact us to request educational or information sessions (based on availability).
To mark the 50th anniversary of Indigenous Australians winning the right to vote in federal elections, the AEC conducted the first ever National Indigenous Youth Parliament (NIYP) in May 2012 to support the development of future Indigenous leaders and to promote electoral participation by young people.
The NIYP provided expert training for 52 participants in how government works, how laws are made, in public speaking and in dealing with the media. The culmination was a mock Parliament at the Museum of Australian Democracy (Old Parliament House) in Canberra where participants debated bills addressing issues faced by young Indigenous Australians and their communities. The AEC is currently considering plans for a second Youth Parliament in March 2014.
In 2012, the AEC launched its Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2012-2014. The RAP has an internal focus of supporting our staff to gain an understanding, demonstrate a commitment and develop engagement skills to ensure the AEC is able to deliver electoral services in a manner that takes into account the needs and aspirations of Indigenous Australians wherever possible.
An important priority for the AEC is the attraction and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees and building a respectful, inclusive workplace culture.
For more information on enrolment and voting, you can contact the AEC.
You can also contact an IEPP Indigenous and Community Engagement Officer in your state/territory or national office.
