Welcome to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) 2020–21 Corporate Plan, which sets our strategic direction for the next four years.
Challenges to the successful administration of electoral events continue to multiply with a number of unprecedented local and world events, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, electoral administration continues to be an increasingly complex endeavour, and I’m conscious our commitment to improvement and innovation—and our values of professionalism, agility, quality and electoral integrity—have never been more important.
To remain agile—now and into the future—we must continue refining our election delivery model through our lessons management approach. We will continue to evolve our planning processes, address the delivery of electoral events in a pandemic, and improve our delivery model for future electoral cycles.
Elections are Australia’s largest and most complex single peacetime event. This fact is masked by the electoral administrator’s conundrum: the better and more efficient the election, the simpler the event appears to voters, candidates and political parties, most of who only interact with the voting process episodically and for a few brief minutes. However, there are a large number of logistically complicated and legislatively complex steps required to deliver elections successfully, including satisfying rapidly evolving community expectations. Our modernisation journey must consider these expectations as well as the realities of our funding, the availability and cost of technology, legislation and the ever-increasing threat of disinformation and cyber security. To continue to safeguard our democracy we must further mature our regulatory capability and work proactively with our stakeholders to solve these multidimensional problems.
The modernisation of our two main election systems remains critical to ensure these can respond to future changes in legislation and our rapidly changing external environment. Investing in training for our permanent employees and large temporary election workforce remains a priority, as stated in our recently launched learning and development strategy.
This year, we have further refined our performance framework. We have re-focused the six agency directions in last year’s corporate plan to four key activities. These enable us to deliver our purpose and ensure an efficient, effective and secure electoral system for Australia. Our corporate plan continues to guide our agency and is an integral part of our performance and reporting framework.
Tom Rogers
Electoral Commissioner
I, as the accountable authority of the Australian Electoral Commission, present our 2020–21 Corporate Plan, which covers the period 2020–2024, as required under paragraph 35(1)(b) of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.
Tom Rogers
Electoral Commissioner
This is the AEC’s corporate plan for 2020–21, which sets the organisation’s strategic direction for the next four years. Here is an outline of the elements in our plan, which work together to deliver our purpose.
The AEC is an independent statutory authority established by the Australian Government.
Our purpose is to maintain an impartial and independent electoral system for eligible voters through active electoral roll management, efficient delivery of polling services, and targeted education and public awareness programs.
We do this by:
We must also provide a range of electoral information and education programs, both in Australia and in support of Australia’s national interests.
Section 6 of the Electoral Act establishes a three-person Commission which has exclusive powers, particularly in relation to electoral redistributions, political party registration, and funding and disclosure. The current Commission members are:
Our vision is:
We are a leader in refining and delivering best practice in election management.
Our key activities are the distinct or significant work that contributes to achieving our purpose, and are our current areas of focus. They are:
Our four key activities replace our six agency directions in last year’s plan. Our performance is measured against our key activities.
Our operating context discusses the environment we expect to operate in over the next four years. It outlines how we build our capability, manage our risk, and cooperate with others to deliver our purpose.
Our performance outlines the expected level of performance for each key activity in achieving our purpose, and how it is measured.
Our performance aligns with the performance criteria in the Portfolio Budget Statements (PBS)*. In the PBS, the AEC has one outcome: Program 1.1 – To deliver electoral events. The AEC’s outcome drives our purpose. Results of our performance are published in the performance statement in the annual report.
* See 2020–21 PBS to be published in October 2020
An essential feature of Australian democracy is an electoral system which consistently operates with a high level of integrity. The AEC maintains an impartial electoral system and processes for elections, referendums, plebiscites and by-elections in accordance with the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984.
As the Australian Government’s independent electoral body, electoral integrity is central to the AEC’s values of quality, agility and professionalism. To maintain electoral integrity, the AEC regulates important aspects of the electoral system. This includes:
This enables all eligible Australians to enrol, nominate as candidates, vote, and have their votes counted accurately and securely in an electoral system that is free and fair, and that is appropriately regulated.
1.1 Our intended result: Deliver the franchise—an Australian citizen’s right to vote
Performance measures | Target 20–21 | Target 21–22 | Target 22–23 | Target 23–24 |
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Percentage of eligible voters enrolled (enrolment rate) Method: Roll and population data calculated and reported annually at the end of each financial year and at Close of Rolls for a federal election or referendum. Source: Electoral Roll data and Australian Bureau of Statistics population data. |
≥95% |
≥95% |
≥95% |
≥95% |
Percentage of voters enrolled who turnout to vote at all federal electoral events (turnout rate) Method: Number of people enrolled to vote who cast a vote by any voting method at a federal electoral event. Source: The AEC Election Management System. |
No target. Turnout rate to be reported. |
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Percentage of votes cast formally for the House of Representatives and Senate at the next federal election or at a referendum or for by-elections (if any held) (formality rate) Method: Percentage of informal votes cast when compared to all votes cast at a federal electoral event. Source: The AEC Election Management System. |
No target. Formality rate to be reported. |
1.2 Our intended result: Maintain a high level of confidence in the electoral roll
Performance measures | Target 20–21 | Target 21–22 | Target 22–23 | Target 23–24 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Percentage accuracy of the Commonwealth Electoral Roll at the electoral division and individual address-level Method: The Annual Roll Integrity Review (ARIR) measures the accuracy and integrity of electoral roll data against other agency data. Source: Data from Services Australia, the National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System Exchange, and the Australian Taxation Office. |
≥95% and ≥90% |
≥95% and ≥90% |
≥95% and ≥90% |
≥95% and ≥90% |
Performance measures | Target 20–21 | Target 21–22 | Target 22–23 | Target 23–24 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Redistributions determined when planned in accordance with timeframes identified in the Electoral Act. Method: Publication of notices and letters to electors complies with requirements in the Electoral Act (Part IV). Source: Government Gazette and newspaper notices, and the date of letters to electors lodged with Australia Post. |
All redistributions in the period determined and affected electors informed. |
1.3 Our intended result: Exercise our regulatory functions
Performance measures | Target 20–21 | Target 21–22 | Target 22–23 | Target 23–24 |
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The AEC maintains an up-to-date public register of political parties Method: No identified breaches of Part XI of the Electoral Act. Source: The Electoral Act (Part XI), AEC funding and disclosure Client & Return Management system and AEC website. |
Compliance with Part XI of the Electoral Act. |
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Disclosure returns are published and regulated in accordance with timeframes in the Electoral Act Method: Confirmation that the publishing date of disclosure returns is in accordance with the Electoral Act. Source: The Transparency Register on the AEC website. |
Annual returns published on the first working day in February 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. Election returns published 24 weeks after polling day for each electoral event. |
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Compliance reviews of political parties and entities with disclosure obligations are completed and published Method: Compare number of completed compliance reviews against approved program. Source: Compliance Review Committee Reports and the AEC website. |
Reviews completed annually compared to the approved program. |
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The AEC self-service platform is utilised by political stakeholders Method: Utilisation of the self-service platform by political stakeholders. Source: Evaluation of interactions with political stakeholders through usage statistics and reports. |
Establish a baseline in 2020–21 |
The AEC delivers federal electoral events, industrial elections, protected action ballots, and Torres Strait Regional Authority elections in accordance with the relevant legislation and rules.
The AEC provides the best possible electoral services and events to stakeholders and the public. Within a complex environment—and increasing community expectations—the AEC must deliver these services and events with the highest degree of integrity, impartiality, and in accordance with legislation. We must deliver to all stakeholders and diverse customer service expectations (including more than 16 million electors). Electoral services and events need to be accessible to all eligible Australians.
The AEC prepares for and delivers electoral events through the Election Readiness Framework. While the AEC works to a three-year electoral cycle, the timing of electoral events is unknown, and election readiness must be balanced against other agency priorities.
As an organisation focused on learning we use a lessons management approach during and following an electoral event to ensure we continue to deliver successful electoral events to Australians. Within the bounds of the Electoral Act, the AEC is focused on continuing to enhance and modernise our model for delivering electoral events and services.
Under the Electoral Act, the AEC also provides support for international electoral management bodies in close cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
2.1 Our intended result: The AEC maintains an appropriate level of election readiness
Performance measures | Target 20–21 | Target 21–22 | Target 22–23 | Target 23–24 |
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AEC-wide readiness checks before and at the issue of election writs confirm an appropriate level of election readiness Method: Internal readiness assessment before each federal election. Source: AEC Election Readiness Framework and Assessment Framework. |
Agency-wide readiness checks conducted prior to the next federal election at the:
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2.2 Our intended result: The public and stakeholders have confidence the electoral process is well managed in accordance with legislation
Performance measures | Target 20–21 | Target 21–22 | Target 22–23 | Target 23–24 |
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The writs for a federal election event are issued and returned in accordance with legislation and timeframes Method: Writs returned to the Governor-General or State Governors or the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Source: Electoral Act/ AEC website. |
Date on the returned election writs falls within the timeframe specified. |
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The election result—for each event—is delivered with integrity and withstands scrutiny Method: Court of Disputed Returns advice. Source: Outcomes of the Court of Disputed Returns. |
The number of Court of Disputed Returns matters—challenging AEC conduct—and whether these challenges are dismissed or upheld in favour of the AEC. |
2.3 Our intended result: Accessible and high quality enrolment and polling services
Performance measures | Target 20–21 | Target 21–22 | Target 22–23 | Target 23–24 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Percentage of new enrolments and enrolment updates lodged through the Online Enrolment Service* Method: Rates calculated monthly and reported annually at the end of each financial year and close of rolls for full federal elections. Source: Roll data from AEC enrolment systems and extracts. |
≥65% |
≥65% |
≥68% |
≥68% |
Percentage of enrolment applications lodged via the Online Enrolment System that are system approved** Method: Rates calculated monthly and reported annually at the end of each financial year and close of rolls for full federal elections. Source: Roll data from AEC enrolment systems and extracts. |
≥55% |
≥60% |
≥60% |
≥60% |
* Excluding Federal Direct Enrolment Update (FDEU). Targets may vary noting impacts of federal electoral events may change reporting outcomes.
** Improvement to these performance measures is dependent on future modernisation of AEC systems.
Performance measures | Target 20–21 | Target 21–22 | Target 22–23 | Target 23–24 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Voting locations (including early voting centres and polling places) published on the AEC website before polling commences for each electoral event Method: Publication on the AEC website. Source: AEC Election Management System data/AEC website. |
100% of polling locations are published. |
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After election night, count information is progressively updated on the AEC website Method: Publication on the AEC website. Source: AEC Election Management System data. |
Preliminary election results available on election night and progressive count information updated on the AEC website. |
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Undertake a lessons management approach to delivering the next federal election Method: Agency-wide qualitative analysis. Source: AEC Election Readiness Framework. |
Lessons from the 2019 federal election implemented at the next federal election. |
2.4 Our intended result: Industrial elections and ballots are designed for the future and delivered with integrity
Performance measures | Target 20–21 | Target 21–22 | Target 22–23 | Target 23–24 |
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The AEC meets timeframes for key election delivery targets—issuing of election notices, ballot periods, declared results and post-election reports Method: Data mining. Source: AEC IEB election management systems, internal records and data. |
≥98% of target timeframes are met annually. |
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Election and ballot results are delivered with integrity and withstand scrutiny Method: High Court advice. Source: High Court outcomes. |
The number of events where the AEC’s conduct is challenged and whether these are dismissed or upheld in favour of the AEC. |
To maintain awareness of electoral matters, the AEC engages with the public and a range of different communities and stakeholders throughout the electoral cycle. At a federal election, the AEC conducts a national advertising campaign across a range of communication channels and in many indigenous and major community languages to maximise successful election participation.
Our education and public awareness activities target all eligible voters and consider Australia’s diverse population. Targeted information, services and tools, and strategic partnerships are developed for priority groups, including those who may experience barriers to electoral participation.
The AEC also continues to deliver education programs for tens of thousands of school children through our National Election Education Centre in Canberra.
3.1 Our intended result: Enable Australians to participate in electoral events and understand electoral matters
Performance measures | Target 20–21 | Target 21–22 | Target 22–23 | Target 23–24 |
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Use tracking research to understand if information related to key objectives identified in AEC’s public awareness campaign strategy for the next federal election can be met Method: Identified benchmarks are met in accordance with the AEC public information strategy. Source: AEC public information strategy and associated campaign evaluation, benchmarking and tracking reports. |
The public awareness campaign for the federal election meets benchmarks. |
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Deliver public awareness and education products that target all Australian citizens aged 18 years and over Method: Specific communication activities delivered for mainstream and identified special audience groups. Source: AEC public information strategy, AEC special audience plans, media performance report, campaign evaluation report. |
Campaign is delivered in accordance with objectives outlined in the campaign strategy. |
Performance measures | Target 20–21 | Target 21–22 | Target 22–23 | Target 23–24 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Percentage of 18 to 24 year old Australians enrolled (youth enrolment rate) Method: Rates calculated monthly and published quarterly. Source: Roll data from the enrolment system and ABS population data. |
≥82% |
≥85% |
≥87% |
≥87% |
Expand access to electoral information amongst priority groups by increasing AEC’s digital information presence Method: Digital products and usage as part of community engagement activities. Source: Digital sources of electoral information (including video and podcasts) for priority groups and data usage. |
Extent of digital presence. Establish a baseline in 2020–21 for the uptake of digital products among priority groups. |
3.2 Our intended result: Enhance understanding of Australia’s electoral system amongst the public
Performance measures | Target 20–21 | Target 21–22 | Target 22–23 | Target 23–24 |
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Annual visitors to the National Electoral Education Centre (NEEC) Method: Visitor attendance. Source: AEC visitor data captured via the NEEC online booking system. |
New baseline determined in 2020–21* |
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Visitor satisfaction rates at the NEEC Method: Visitor satisfaction surveys captured for each education program. Source: AEC NEEC visitor data. |
≥90% |
≥90% |
≥90% |
≥90% |
Maintain the number of unique online visitors to AEC for Schools website Method: AEC website analytics of unique visits to AEC for Schools website. Source: AEC for Schools website. |
200,000 |
200,000 |
200,000 |
200,000 |
Professional learning participant numbers Method: Professional learning participation rates. Source: Records of attendance. |
New baseline determined in 2020–21* |
* COVID-19 meant that all NEEC visits and face-to-face education programs were suspended in March 2020. A new baseline visitor target will be established in 2020–21.
Building and maintaining a capable and agile organisation and professional workforce is critical to delivering electoral events. To ensure we can respond to changing legislation, policy, community expectations and our environment, we must continue to develop our agility and capability. We do this by continuing to refine our organisational structure, focusing on key aspects of governance and assurance, and modernising our enrolment and election systems and processes.
Our people and learning and development strategies are designed to ensure the AEC can attract, develop and retain a talented, agile and professional workforce. This includes both our regular APS and temporary election workforce which surges to over 87,000 staff during a federal election.
4.1 Our intended result: Attract, develop and retain a professional, talented and agile workforce
Performance measures | Target 20–21 | Target 21–22 | Target 22–23 | Target 23–24 |
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Percentage of identified APS staff that undertake specific corporate and APS training relevant to their role Method: Training completion data. Source: AEC Learning Management System. |
≥95% |
≥95% |
≥95% |
≥95% |
Percentage of identified APS and TEW staff that complete election training relevant to their role Method: Training completion data. Source: AEC Learning Management System. |
≥95% |
≥95% |
≥95% |
≥95% |
Attract and recruit an AEC temporary election workforce for each electoral event to deliver key polling and election activities Method: Analysis of workforce data. Source: AEC Employ, Train and Pay system. |
Election workforce in place to support key polling and election activities (pre-polling, polling day and the post-election count). |
4.2 Our intended result: Invest in organisational capability and governance
Performance measures | Target 20–21 | Target 21–22 | Target 22–23 | Target 23–24 |
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Increase agency-level governance maturity in the areas of risk management, protective security, privacy and information management Method: Survey benchmarking using Commonwealth frameworks and maturity assessments. Source: Comcover Risk Culture survey, AEC Information Management Strategy and National Archives of Australia’s ‘Check-up PLUS’ survey and reports, Protective Security Policy Framework, AEC Privacy Management Plan. |
Increase or maintain maturity against identified Commonwealth surveys or plans. |
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Maintain the AEC’s average staffing levels Method: Performance against defined Commonwealth Government measures. Source: AEC Portfolio Budget Statements, Annual Financial Statements and AEC finance and HR reports. |
Average staffing levels target met annually. |
4.3 Our intended result: Implement systems and processes that are sustainable, relevant and modern to support election planning and delivery
Performance measures | Target 20–21 | Target 21–22 | Target 22–23 | Target 23–24 |
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Progress the modernisation of the AEC’s core election and roll management systems Method: Governance reporting mechanisms as guided by program structure and documentation. Source: Program documentation and reporting. |
Meet the key program milestones associated with the procurement, delivery, execution and de-commissioning of systems. |
The AEC regulates individuals and entities that are involved in the electoral process under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918. As a regulatory body we aim to reduce the regulatory burden imposed on our stakeholders.
The AEC maintains impartial and independent enrolment and electoral services and processes that enable eligible voters to exercise their franchise.
The AEC regulates the Commonwealth funding and disclosure scheme detailed under Part XX of the Electoral Act. This requires candidates, Senate groups, political parties, political campaigners, associated entities, third parties and donors to lodge election or annual financial disclosure returns with the AEC. The AEC administers the registration of political parties under Part XI of the Electoral Act and maintains a Register of Political Parties. This lists those parties which are eligible to have the party affiliation of their endorsed candidates printed on ballot papers at a federal election. The AEC administers the authorisation of electoral communications in accordance with Part XXA of the Electoral Act.
In line with the Australian Government’s commitment to reducing the cost of unnecessary and inefficient regulation imposed on individuals, business and community organisations, we measure our performance against the regulator performance framework. This includes six mandatory key performance indicators set by the Australian Government. The following tables outline our performance against our measures of success.
Key performance indicator 1: Regulators do not unnecessarily impede the efficient operation of regulated entities
What we do to ensure we meet these performance indicators | Key activity reference |
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Key activity 1 |
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Key activity 2 |
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Key activity 3 |
Key performance indicator 2: Communication with regulated entities is clear, targeted and effective
What we do to ensure we meet these performance indicators | Key activity reference |
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Key activity 1 |
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Key activity 3 |
Key performance indicator 3: Actions undertaken by regulators are proportionate to the regulatory risk being managed
What we do to ensure we meet these performance indicators | Key activity reference |
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Key activity 1 |
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Key activity 4 |
Key performance indicator 4: Compliance and monitoring approaches are streamlined and coordinated
What we do to ensure we meet these performance indicators | Key activity reference |
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Key activity 1 |
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Key activity 1 and 2 |
Key performance indicator 5: Regulators are open and transparent in their dealings with regulated entities
What we do to ensure we meet these performance indicators | Key activity reference |
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Key activity 1 |
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Key activity 2 |
Key performance indicator 6: Regulators actively contribute to the continuous improvement of regulatory frameworks
What we do to ensure we meet these performance indicators | Key activity reference |
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Key activity 2 |