Lexi Webster
The Australian Electoral Roll is a list of people who are registered and eligible to vote in federal, state, territory, and local government elections and referenda. The roll is maintained by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) and is not available for sale or online. However, an electronic copy of the current national roll is available for public inspection at any AEC state or capital city office. The AEC also provides information on Australian electoral history, past federal electoral events, referenda, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commissions' elections. Historical electoral rolls can be accessed through the National Library of Australia and state libraries, which hold printed and microfiche copies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Electoral roll availability | Not available for sale or online. |
| Electoral roll inspection | Available for public inspection at AEC state or capital city offices. |
| Electoral roll inspection requirements | Photographic identification and completion of an application form. |
| Electoral roll information | Names and addresses of registered voters. |
| Electoral roll search | Provides the last known registered address of an individual. |
| Electoral roll enrolment | Enrolment is the responsibility of each eligible Australian. |
| Electoral roll enrolment reminders | Sent via email and text message. |
| Electoral roll updates | Third-party data is used to directly enrol and update enrolment details. |
| Electoral roll history | Available as microfiche at the National Library of Australia in Canberra from 1901 to 2008. |
| Electoral roll division | Arranged alphabetically by state. |
| Electoral roll eligibility | Voters must be eligible and enrolled to vote. |
| Electoral roll voting | Compulsory for all electors on a residential roll. |
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What You'll Learn
The electoral roll is not available for sale or online
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) protects personal information on the electoral roll from being misused under the provisions of the Privacy Act 1988. The electoral roll is not available for sale in any format, nor is it available online. This is to prevent the roll from being used for non-approved purposes, which is illegal.
While the AEC does receive data that can be used to remind people of their enrolment obligations, this is only possible when strict data verification checks are met. This third-party data is also used to communicate with Australians about the potential need for them to take enrolment action.
The AEC does not keep historic electoral rolls for public viewing. However, the National Library of Australia in Canberra has available selected microfiche of the Commonwealth Electoral Rolls from 1901 to 2008. The library also holds a limited number of state electoral rolls on microfiche for the time before Federation. The state and some local libraries may hold copies of electoral rolls.
An Australia-wide electronic version of the current Australian Electoral Roll is available for viewing at any AEC National or State Office. Individual AEC Division Offices only have the roll for that Division available. Public access terminals at AEC divisional offices will only provide access to the electoral roll for the federal division(s) represented by that office.
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How to access the roll in person at an AEC office
To access the electoral roll in person at an AEC office, you can follow these steps:
- Locate your nearest AEC National or State Office. Note that individual AEC Division Offices will only have the roll for that specific division.
- At the AEC office, you can request to view the Australia-wide electronic version of the current Australian Electoral Roll.
- If you are registering a new political party or nominating as an independent candidate for an election, you may also check the enrolment details of your supporters at the AEC office.
- If you are a Member of Parliament, Senator, or an authorised officer of a registered political party, you can access the Electoral Roll Access (ERA) system at the AEC office. ERA is a secure online system that provides access to electoral roll data entitlements.
- To access ERA, you will need to create an ERA account and submit the completed Request for Access to Electoral Roll Data form. This form can be submitted at any point during the parliamentary cycle.
- Keep in mind that unauthorised access to electoral roll data is prohibited by law, and the AEC takes measures to protect personal information under the Privacy Act 1988.
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How to check your own enrolment details
To check your own enrolment details in Australia, you can refer to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). The AEC maintains the electoral roll for South Australia and also provides information on Australian electoral history, past federal electoral events, referenda, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commissions' elections, and more.
You can verify your enrolment and review your current federal, state, and local electoral enrolment details via the AEC website. To check your enrolment, you must be enrolled to vote. You will need to enter your name, including any middle names, and address. Then, select the 'Check online' button and click on 'Confirm enrolment'.
If you are unable to check your enrolment online or need assistance, you can call 13 23 26 or contact your local AEC office. It is important to note that for privacy reasons, you must enter your details exactly as they appear on the electoral roll. If your search is unsuccessful, double-check that you have entered the correct information.
If you have enrolled as a silent elector, you will not be able to check your enrolment details online and will need to contact the AEC directly. Additionally, if you have recently completed an enrolment form, allow a few days for the AEC to process your form and update the electoral roll before attempting to confirm your enrolment online.
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How to access historical electoral rolls
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) does not keep historic electoral rolls for public viewing. However, there are several ways to access historical electoral rolls in Australia.
The National Library of Australia in Canberra has available selected microfiche of the Commonwealth Electoral Rolls from 1901 to 2008. The library also holds a limited number of state electoral rolls on microfiche for the time before Federation. The library holds many original printed electoral rolls, which are stored off-site and can be requested via the catalogue. The library recommends accessing these records on microfilm/microfiche for free in the Newspapers and Family History Reading Room.
State libraries and some local libraries may hold copies of electoral rolls. For example, the State Library of Victoria has a guide to researching historic Australian electoral rolls on its website and provides access to the Ancestry Library Edition database, which includes Australian electoral rolls. The State Library of Victoria also has Victorian electoral rolls as a browse-only set, which can be found in the Useful links and resources section of its website.
The AEC website provides a list of current federal electoral distributions and current and previous state and territory redistributions. The website also provides an online enrolment verification facility. Public access terminals at AEC divisional offices provide access to the electoral rolls of the division(s) represented by that office.
Electoral rolls are available online through private websites such as Findmypast.com.au and Ancestry.com.au, which provide transcripts and images of electoral rolls from Australia. These websites often require a subscription or in-person access at a library.
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How to find someone's last known address
To find someone's last known address in Australia, you can try searching the electoral roll. The electoral roll lists people who are registered and eligible to vote in federal, state, territory, and local government elections and referenda.
Australian Electoral Commission (AEC)
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) produces the electoral roll for each state, except for Western Australia, which maintains its own. An electronic copy of the current national roll is available for public inspection at any AEC state or capital city office. However, it is not available online or for sale, and it is illegal to copy it. You must complete an application form and provide photographic identification to inspect the roll.
National Library of Australia (NLA)
The National Library of Australia (NLA) holds historical electoral rolls, including selected microfiche of the Commonwealth Electoral Rolls from 1901 to 2008, and a limited number of state electoral rolls on microfiche before Federation. The NLA also provides a guide to researching historic Australian electoral rolls on its website.
State Libraries
State libraries and some local libraries may hold copies of electoral rolls. For example, the State Library of Victoria provides access to the Ancestry Library Edition database, which contains Victorian electoral rolls, but this database can only be accessed in the State Library or most Victorian public libraries. The Queensland electoral rolls are also available at the NLA, bound according to the year and electoral division.
NSW Electoral Commission
The NSW Electoral Commission maintains residential rolls for NSW local government elections with the assistance of the AEC. The roll is available for public inspection at the NSW Electoral Commission office.
Third-Party Services
Third-party services, such as triSearch, can also conduct Electoral Roll (ER) searches for a fee. These searches can provide the last known registered address of an individual, but they are only available for eligible voters.
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Frequently asked questions
You can find someone on the electoral roll by visiting any Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) National or State Office. Public access terminals at AEC divisional offices provide access to the electoral rolls of the division(s) represented by that office.
No, the electoral roll is not available online.
No, the electoral roll is not available for sale in any format.
Yes, the National Library of Australia in Canberra has available selected microfiche of the Commonwealth Electoral Rolls from 1901 to 2008. The library also holds a limited number of state electoral rolls on microfiche for the time before Federation.
The electoral roll is available for public inspection for electoral purposes at the NSW Electoral Commission office. Members of parliament, nominated electoral candidates, registered political parties, and prescribed authorities can also access the roll.
