Voting and the AEC
Citizens aged 18 and over must enrol and vote in federal, state and territory elections and referendums. The Australian Electoral Commission runs federal elections and keeps the roll, and the secret ballot keeps your vote private.
What to remember
- Citizens aged 18+ must enrol and vote in federal, state and territory elections and referendums.
- The AEC runs federal elections and referendums, keeps the electoral roll, and is independent of government.
- Secret ballot: no one may know your vote unless you tell them. Not voting without a good reason can mean a fine.
- You can raise concerns with your elected representative.
Sample questions
Who must enrol to vote in Australia?Show answer
- All residents aged 16 or over
- Only citizens who own property
- Australian citizens aged 18 years or over
Australian citizens aged 18 years or over. Citizens aged 18 years or over must enrol to vote in federal, state and territory elections and referendums.
What happens if you are not correctly enrolled to vote?Show answer
- You can vote anyway at any polling place
- You are not able to vote in an election
- You are automatically fined and enrolled
You are not able to vote in an election. If you are not correctly enrolled, you are not able to vote in an election.
What does the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) do?Show answer
- Conducts federal elections and referendums and maintains the Commonwealth electoral roll
- Decides who becomes Prime Minister
- Collects income tax
Conducts federal elections and referendums and maintains the Commonwealth electoral roll. The AEC is a Commonwealth agency responsible for conducting federal elections and referendums and maintaining the Commonwealth electoral roll.
Source: Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, p. 24. Read the full booklet on the Home Affairs website.