Australian voting history

The Australian Electoral Commission

1984 BCE

In 1902, a branch of the Department of Home Affairs was responsible for Australia's federal electoral system. In 1973, this branch became the Australian Electoral Office. And on 21 February 1984, following major amendments to the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) was established as an independent statutory authority.

Compulsory voting

1917 BCE

To improve the low rates of voter turnout, amendments to the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 were made. Compulsory voting was introduced, and this resulted in a dramatic increase in voter turnout at the following election.

Federation

1899 BCE

South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania passed a referendum to federate under an Australian Constitution. The Australian Constitution is the fundamental law explaining how our country is governed and change to this map of political power requires a referendum. In 1899, Queensland supported the federation, and the following year, Western Australia followed suit.

Women's suffrage

1894 BCE

the women's suffragette movement gained momentum. This movement was based on the belief that democracy, in its truest form, could not be achieved until women had the same electoral rights as men. In 1894, the South Australian Parliament agreed, and the remaining colonies gradually came to the same view.

Male suffrage

1856 BCE

South Australia extended the vote to male residents aged 21 years and over. Two years later, Victoria followed their lead, with the remaining colonies following suit.

Eureka Stockade

1854 BCE

People from around the world flocked to the Australian goldfields. They had to purchase licenses in order to earn money from prospecting for gold in these fields. In 1854, a miners' protest about the license fee and their political rights resulted in a rebellion in which both soldiers and miners died. Following the rebellion, a number of the miners' demands were met, including their right to vote.

The Secret Ballot

1850 BCE

People voted publicly, which left them vulnerable to intimidation and coercion. To rectify this situation, an independent electoral body was established during the 1850s to ensure elections were run fairly, and to this end the so-called 'Australian ballot', otherwise now known as the secret ballot, was implemented.

Settlement

1788 BCE

The First Fleet landed at Port Jackson and the following month, on 7 February, Australia's first European colony was established. Captain Arthur Phillip was appointed by the British government as the first Governor of this new prison colony. Subsequently, New South Wales attracted free settlers, and in time, these people felt entitled to have a say in who governed them.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

1964

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples campaigned for many years to achieve full voting rights in state and federal elections. These rights were granted federally in 1962, and in 1965 Queensland allowed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to vote in State elections. Queensland was the last State to grant this right.

Voting age

1973

During the 1960s and 1970s, a worldwide trend emerged in Western parliamentary democracies supporting lowering of the eligibility age to enroll and vote. Young people paying taxes, driving cars, and serving their country during times of conflict, believed they were entitled to have a say in the composition of their government.
In 1973, the Australian Parliament amended the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and lowered the minimum voting age to 18 years.