Lexi Webster
Australia is a representative democracy, and voting is a key part of how the country is run. Voting is compulsory for Australian citizens aged 18 and over, and failure to do so without providing a valid reason can result in a fine. Australia uses various forms of ranked voting, with voters numbering candidates in order of preference. There are multiple ways to vote, including absentee ballots, postal voting, and early voting. Australia's voting system is shaped by democratic values enshrined in the country's Constitution and decisions made by federal politicians.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Voting type | Compulsory voting |
| Voting age | 18 years and older |
| Voting method | Ranked voting |
| Ballot type | Paper ballots |
| Ballot format | Voters number candidates in order of preference |
| Ballot submission | Placed in an envelope and sent to the voter's home district to be counted |
| Absentee voting | Allowed |
| Early voting | Allowed |
| Postal voting | Allowed |
| Voter registration | Required |
| Voter enrolment | Compulsory for citizens 18 years and older |
| Electoral roll | Maintained by the Australian Electoral Commission |
| Election frequency | Federal elections held at least every 3 years |
| Election officials | Australian Electoral Commission |
| Legislative basis | Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and Australian Constitution |
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What You'll Learn
Compulsory voting
Voting is compulsory at federal elections, by-elections and referendums for those on the electoral roll, as well as for State and Territory elections. However, in South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia, voting at local elections is not compulsory.
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) maintains a permanent Commonwealth electoral roll. State and local elections are based on this roll, although each state and territory regulates its own part of the electoral roll.
Proponents of compulsory voting argue that it grants legitimacy to the election winner, as a parliament elected by a compulsory vote more accurately reflects the will of the electorate. It also helps to ensure that marginalised people are better represented. Research shows that people who are less affluent are also less likely to vote, so compulsory voting encourages politicians to appeal to all groups, including the poor.
Another argument in favour of compulsory voting is that it removes the paradox of voting, which states that for a rational, self-interested voter, the costs of voting normally exceed the expected benefits. This paradox disproportionately affects the socially disadvantaged, for whom the costs of voting tend to be greater. Compulsory voting removes this dilemma, as it is no longer a rational decision for marginalised citizens to abstain from voting.
There are various ways to cast a vote in Australia, including postal voting, pre-poll voting, absentee voting, voting at Australian overseas missions, and voting at mobile teams in hospitals, nursing homes and remote localities.
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Absentee, postal, and early voting
Australians unable to get to a polling station on election day can vote at an early voting centre in Australia. Those overseas during a federal election or referendum can vote at an overseas voting centre or by post. Australians unable to get to a polling place can apply for a postal vote.
Mobile voting teams visit voters unable to get to a polling station. These teams visit residential aged care homes, mental health facilities, remote areas, homeless shelters, and prisons. Mobile voting is carried out across Australia during elections or referendums.
Voters with blindness or low vision can use telephone voting to cast their vote from any location using a dedicated phone service.
Australians can apply for postal voting.
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Voting for the House of Representatives
To achieve an absolute majority, a candidate must receive more than half of the first-preference votes. If no candidate secures an absolute majority, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed according to the second preferences marked on the ballots. This process of vote transfer based on preferences continues until one candidate achieves an absolute majority and is elected.
Voting in Australia is compulsory for citizens aged 18 and above, and failure to do so without a satisfactory reason, such as illness or religious prohibition, can result in a fine of up to $170. This compulsory voting system aims to prevent coercion against disadvantaged groups and ensure equal representation for all citizens.
There are various methods available for casting ballots. In addition to the traditional method of voting at local polling places, voters can also participate through absentee ballots, postal voting, or early voting, also known as ""pre-poll voting". These alternatives cater to voters who may not be in their registered electoral districts on election day.
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Voting for the Senate
The ballot paper is divided by a thick black line, with voters needing to number at least six boxes above the line for their preferred parties or groups, and at least 12 boxes below the line for individual candidates. The numbers 1–6 should be placed in the preferred party boxes above the line, with 1 being the voter's first choice. Similarly, the numbers 1–12 should be placed in the boxes beside the individual candidates below the line, with 1 being the first choice. Voters can number as many preferences as they like beyond the minimum number specified. Polling officials are available at polling places to assist voters in completing their ballot papers.
The Senate comprises 76 senators, with 12 senators elected from each of the six Australian states, and two each representing the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. Senators are elected under the single transferable vote system of proportional representation in state-wide and territory-wide districts. Each state elects six senators at each half-Senate election, and so the quota for election is one-seventh or 14.3% of votes. The proportional voting system used for the Senate enables multiple candidates to be elected at each election, with six senators from each state and two from the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory. Senators need to receive a set percentage, or quota, of the votes in their state or territory.
Voting in Australia is compulsory for those on the electoral roll, and fines can be imposed for failing to do so without a valid reason. There are several ways to vote, including absentee ballots, postal voting, and early voting, also known as pre-poll voting.
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Voting for state and territory elections
Voting in Australia is governed by the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918. The system has several distinctive features, including compulsory enrolment and voting, and preferential voting in single-member seats to elect the lower house, the House of Representatives.
Voting procedures for state and territory elections differ slightly from federal elections. Firstly, the closing dates for enrolments or updates to details on electoral rolls vary for state and territory elections. Prisoners' eligibility to vote also varies: in the Australian Capital Territory and South Australia, all prisoners are eligible to vote, while in Victoria, prisoners must be serving a sentence of less than five years to be eligible.
State senators are elected for six-year terms, while territory senators are elected for three-year terms, coinciding with the elections for the House of Representatives. Voters elect a representative to speak on their behalf in the House of Representatives, with one representative per electorate. For the House of Representatives, voters must assign a number to each candidate on the ballot paper, ranking them in order of preference. If a candidate receives an absolute majority of first-preference votes, they are elected. If not, the candidate with the least votes is excluded, and their votes are transferred to the remaining candidates based on the voters' preferences. This process continues until a candidate achieves an absolute majority.
To be elected, a candidate must gain a certain proportion, or quota, of state or territory votes. The counting process for Senate elections is more complex than for the House of Representatives and can take several weeks.
Additionally, mobile voting teams visit residential aged care homes, some mental health facilities and remote areas, homeless shelters, prisons, and other locations. Voters who are blind or have low vision can use telephone voting. Voters living with a disability may be eligible to vote by post or with assistance at a polling place.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, voting is compulsory in Australia for citizens aged 18 and above. People who do not vote must explain their absence. If no valid reason is provided, a fine of up to $170 is imposed.
Australia uses a preferential voting system for almost all elections. Voters rank candidates on the ballot paper in order of preference.
Australians can vote in person at their local polling station, or by absentee ballot, postal voting, or early voting, also known as "pre-poll voting".
There is no fixed schedule for federal elections in Australia. House of Representatives elections must be held at least every 3 years, and senators are elected for 6-year terms.
Australian citizens aged 18 and above are eligible to vote. Residents enrolled as British subjects on 25 January 1984, even if they are not Australian citizens, must also enrol and vote.
