Leslie Massey
Australia's federal election results are typically announced within a few hours after the polls close, with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) playing a crucial role in broadcasting the outcomes. However, it's worth noting that the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) takes a more meticulous approach, and the official results may take days or even weeks to be released due to the complex and rigorous counting process. This process includes an indicative preference count, a mandatory secondary count, and the distribution of preferences for House of Representatives ballot papers. While exit polls are not prevalent in Australia due to early voting and varying poll closure times, media outlets and election experts provide unofficial results and analyses on election night.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Election date | 2025 |
| Time of counting | 6 pm local time |
| Counting process | Ballot papers are counted at least twice in a process called 'fresh scrutiny' |
| First result declaration | 9:30 pm in 2019 |
| Official result declaration | A week and a half later |
| Unofficial result sources | Media outlets and election experts like ABC |
| Unofficial result declaration | 2022: 9:30 pm, 3.5 hours after polls closed on the east coast |
| Official result declaration time | No fixed time |
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What You'll Learn
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC)
The AEC must count each ballot paper at least twice, with a mandatory secondary count for House of Representatives ballot papers. This process, called "fresh scrutiny", ensures the accuracy of the results. The AEC also conducts a full distribution of preferences for House of Representatives ballot papers and scans, enters data, and verifies Senate preferences. Additionally, the AEC acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land and recognises their continuing connection to the land, waters, culture, and community.
On election night, counting begins at 6 pm local time in polling places and the AEC's central counting centres. Results are updated progressively on the AEC's Tally Room, with automatic refreshes every 90 seconds on election night and every 15 minutes in the following days. The AEC's website displays results in real time, providing an unofficial preliminary count. The AEC does not declare winners for about a week and a half after the election, as it must be mathematically certain of the results.
The AEC's process ensures the integrity and accuracy of election results in Australia. While citizens often rely on media outlets and election experts for unofficial results, the AEC's thorough and meticulous approach reinforces the transparency and fairness of the democratic process in the country.
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Unofficial results
Australia's federal election results are usually announced on election night, with media outlets and election experts like Australia's national broadcaster, ABC, projecting unofficial results. This is done by tallying the votes from each state, which are updated in real time on the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) website. The AEC is legally required to conduct an indicative preference count in each House of Representatives contest. After the first preference votes are counted, the ballots are resorted into two piles for the candidates deemed most likely to be the final two. This provides an early indication of a potential result in each seat.
While election night sees approximately 20-25 million ballot papers counted, this is considered the halfway mark of a federal election. The AEC must count each ballot paper at least twice in a process called 'fresh scrutiny' in the days after election night to ensure accuracy. This means that the potential number of votes still to be counted must be smaller than the margin in the seat. Senate results, in particular, can take a number of weeks to declare as each ballot paper and every preference marked by a voter must be verified by a staff member.
The AEC does not declare winners for about a week and a half after election night. In the case of a hung parliament, it might take days or even weeks before a result is called, as seen in 2010 when it took 17 days of post-election negotiations to form a government.
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AEC's indicative count
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is legally required to conduct an indicative preference count in each House of Representatives contest on election night. This involves sorting votes into two piles for the candidates deemed by the AEC as most likely to be the final two candidates. This is done to provide an early indication of a potential result in each seat as soon as possible.
The AEC makes a decision about which two candidates are most likely to be the final two in each seat before election day. This decision is based on factors such as previous results, media coverage, opinion polling, and impressions on the ground in each electorate. However, this initial indicative count is not released until after polling is complete at 6 pm local time.
The AEC's indicative count is not an official declaration of the election results. The AEC never officially declares the results of a federal election on election night. Instead, the AEC must count each ballot paper at least twice in a process called "fresh scrutiny" in the days after election night to ensure the accuracy of the results.
The AEC's indicative count provides valuable insight into the potential outcome of the election. Electoral analysts and commentators use the early indications from the AEC's count to make predictions and provide coverage of the election. However, it is important to note that the AEC's indicative count is subject to change as the final count may differ, especially in close contests.
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Rigorous counting process
Australia's federal election counting process is a complex and time-consuming operation, prioritising accuracy and transparency. The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is responsible for conducting the count, with officers overseeing the process and volunteer observers from political parties, known as scrutineers, monitoring the voting procedure.
The AEC commences the count at 6 pm local time on election night, with ballot boxes opened and votes sorted ahead of time to expedite the process. The AEC is legally mandated to perform an indicative preference count for each House of Representatives contest, sorting votes into two piles for the likely final candidates, without disregarding preferences for other candidates. This provides an early indication of potential outcomes.
The AEC updates the results progressively on its Tally Room, accessible on its website. The tally is automatically refreshed every 90 seconds on election night and every 15 minutes in the following days. However, the AEC does not declare winners for a week and a half, as it must count each ballot paper at least twice in a process called 'fresh scrutiny' to ensure accuracy. This double-checking occurs in the days following election night, and the AEC cannot declare a House of Representatives seat unless mathematical certainty is achieved.
Senate results require additional time, as each ballot paper and voter preference must be individually scanned and verified by staff, a process that takes several weeks due to the high volume of preferences. The AEC also handles the secure packaging, transport, and enrolment verification of ballot papers cast away from home, including postal votes, which can arrive up to 13 days after election day.
While election night provides initial insights, the AEC considers it the halfway mark, with subsequent days dedicated to ensuring a rigorous and meticulous counting process.
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When a result is called
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) does not declare winners for at least a week and a half. The AEC must count each ballot paper at least twice in a process called 'fresh scrutiny' in the days following election night to double-check the numbers. This means that the potential number of votes still to be counted must be smaller than the margin in the seat.
The AEC never officially declares the results of a federal election on election night. However, citizens usually look to media outlets and election experts to call the unofficial results on election night. The AEC also provides what is known as an "indicative count", which media commentators, election experts, and sometimes even the parties and candidates themselves then base their calls on. This sees counting officers conduct what is called a two-candidate-preferred count between the two leading candidates in each electoral district. This gives citizens a quick indication of who could form the government.
The AEC's Tally Room is updated progressively after 6 pm AEST on election night. The tally room automatically refreshes every 90 seconds on election night and every 15 minutes in the days afterward. All House of Representatives and Senate votes cast near a voter's home division on election day will be counted that night.
On election night, the AEC is legally required to conduct an indicative preference count in each House of Representatives contest. After the first-preference votes are allocated and counted, votes are resorted into two piles for the candidates deemed by the AEC as the most likely final two candidates. This does not discount preferences for other candidates but provides an early indication of a potential result in each seat.
There is no one specific time when the results are called. As the night goes on, parties come out to declare their win or loss, which might play out in the form of a victory speech or a concession of defeat.
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Frequently asked questions
Counting in each state begins after the polls close. Results are updated in real time on the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) website. The AEC is legally required to conduct an indicative preference count in each House of Representatives contest.
While election night will see approximately 20-25 million ballot papers counted, this is an indicative count. The AEC never officially declares the results of a federal election on election night. It is usually days or weeks before an official result is released by the AEC as they have to go through a rigorous counting process.
Australians typically get an unofficial result on election night. They usually look to media outlets and election experts to call the unofficial results. The AEC also provides what is known as an "indicative count", which media commentators, election experts, and sometimes even the parties and candidates themselves then base their calls on.
