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Australian Electoral Commission
The AEC was recently announced as #1 for both trust and satisfaction in the Australian Public Service Commission’s (APSC) 2023 survey. It is the result of years of hard work to improve and strengthen electoral processes and the implementation of the AEC’s Reputation Management System.
We’re very pleased with such a result of course, especially after a big year for the agency (2023 referendum, 2 by-elections, hundreds of industrial elections and much more). Unfortunately, along with the success of 2023, we also saw a significant change occur within the information ecosystem we operate in. The continued rise in the spread of mis and disinformation about the processes we deliver is dangerous and can undermine trust in Australia’s democracy.
Redistributions occur to maintain 'one vote, one value’ as population changes. Set criteria, the transparency of each process and independent panels are all critical aspects.
The AEC is a secretariat. An independent Redistribution Committee releases a proposal before an expanded independent body determines final names and boundaries. Each process has several rounds of public input. All submissions are published with reports outlining reasons for every decision.
Redistributions are underway in NSW, VIC & WA now.
The preferential voting system used for the House of Representatives means that multiple counts of ballot papers occur to determine who has acquired an absolute majority of the total votes (more than 50% of formal votes). It is a similar process for the Senate however, each Senate contest will elect multiple representatives where multiple counts of ballot papers occur to determine which candidates have achieved the required quota of formal votes to be elected.
During the counting process, votes are transferred between candidates or parties according to the preferences marked by voters. In the House for example, if your first preference of candidate isn’t elected, your vote moves to your next preference and so on.
Redistributions of federal electoral divisions in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia are now underway.
Financial disclosure returns are published after each federal election, by-election and referendum – as well as annually. Those returns provide information such as donations and expenditure from disclosure entities and others with an obligation.
Annual returns for the 2022-23 financial year were published on Thursday 1 February 2024 on the Transparency Register . The 2022-23 annual returns do not include 2023 referendum returns. In line with disclosure requirements, the publication of the 2023 referendum returns occurs 24 weeks after voting day – 1 April 2024
Claims that there’ll be two questions on the ballot paper are incorrect.
Calls for AEC fact checking don’t account for the legislative requirements.
Comparisons to the 2017 postal survey process aren’t correct.
You do not need to enrol separately for the 2023 referendum.
Every federal election and referendum we need around 100,000 temporary staff. Earn money and get a valuable experience.
Join our team delivering world-class elections. Exciting professional and entry level jobs with great working conditions and teammates on offer.
Be part of a passionate and committed team that delivers world-class electoral services and the AEC's vital corporate work.
A referendum can be held at any time, it does not need to be held in conjunction with a federal election.
To be eligible to enrol to vote from overseas, you must be an Australian citizen aged 18 years or older, and intend to return to Australia within six years.
You can upload, fax, or post your signed form or letter to the AEC.
You do not need to notify the AEC when a relative or friend has died as this information is provided to the AEC.
The AEC acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.