Complaints and feedback

The AEC is committed to providing impartial and accessible electoral services to Australians.

Please note that the AEC does not have the power to investigate advertisements, other than ensuring that they are authorised and that they do not mislead in regards to voting processes (election or referendum). The AEC runs a Stop and consider campaign (see the referendum factsheet) to encourage electors to think about the information they are receiving. The AEC also maintains disinformation registers for elections and referendums.

The AEC Service Charter explains what we do, our commitment to how we provide our services, and how you can help us.

We commit to treating a complaint seriously, promptly and in line with the Complaints Management Policy. The policy sets out how to lodge a complaint and the principles and processes that we will follow to manage a complaint.

Please select one of the options below:

Make a complaint or provide feedback

Make a complaint online  
Provide feedback online  

Contact your local AEC office

Enter your residential postcode to find your local AEC divisional office contact details:

List of AEC offices

NSW VIC QLD WA SA TAS ACT NT
All local offices National and state offices

External complaint mechanisms

If, after working with us to resolve your issue, you are not satisfied with the way we have handled your complaint you can also contact:

  • the Commonwealth Ombudsman who can investigate complaints about the administrative actions of Australian Government departments and agencies including the AEC. As a general rule, the Ombudsman will not, and in some cases cannot, investigate complaints until they have been raised with the agency. The Commonwealth Ombudsman can be contacted on 1300 362 072 or via the Commonwealth Ombudsman website
  • the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) who can review decisions related to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests or in regard to breaches of privacy. The OAIC can be contacted on 1300 363 992 or via the OAIC website
  • the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) who investigates complaints of discrimination and breaches of human rights. The AHRC can be contacted on 1300 656 419 or via the Human Rights website
Updated: 18 May 2023