Enrolling to Vote

Frequently Asked Questions (Courtesy: AEC)

How can I view the electoral roll?

See electoral roll information

Can I buy the electoral roll?

The roll is not available for sale in any format.

Why was I removed from the roll?

Your name may have been removed from the electoral roll if the AEC was unable to confirm your enrolment details.

The AEC conducts regular reviews to maintain an accurate and up-to-date electoral roll. Information from other agencies assists this process. If the AEC has received information that an enrolled person has moved, the AEC will try to make contact, through the 'Continuous Roll Update' program, which includes direct mail and door-knocking.

If the AEC does not receive a response, your name can be removed from the roll and you will not be able to vote. To vote you need to re-enrol.

A relative has dementia. How do I remove their name from the roll?

If your relative has dementia you will need to complete a form to remove their name from the electoral roll. The medical certificate on the form must be completed and signed by a registered medical practitioner.

Once the form is completed please return it to the AEC.

Can I remove my name from the electoral roll?

No, it is compulsory for Australian citizens 18 years and over to enrol and vote. Once enrolled, your name and address is added to the electoral roll.

However, there are special enrolment options. For example, if you are going overseas indefinitely or permanently, you can apply to have your name removed. If you believe having your address appear on the electoral roll puts you or your family at risk, you can apply to be a silent elector.

If you have an objection to another person being on the electoral roll you should contact the AEC.

I know someone who I believe shouldn’t be enrolled. What can I do?

If you believe that a person, whose name appears on the electoral roll, is not entitled to be enrolled for any of the objection reasons listed then you may notify the AEC of your objection to their enrolment by:

• completing the objection form and lodging it with the Divisional Returning Officer for the electorate the person is enrolled in, and
• pay a deposit of $2.00.

To object to a person's enrolment for any reason other than because the person is of unsound mind, you must be enrolled in the same electorate as the person named in your objection.

A relative has died. How do I remove their name from the roll?

If your relative has died, the AEC will remove their name from the electoral roll when we are:

• notified by the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages (occurs on a monthly basis), or
• if we are notified by a family member.

To request a relative's name be removed from the roll, complete the notification of a relative who has died form.

At election time, an update on recent deaths is obtained prior to printing the certified list of voters to ensure the electoral roll is accurate at the time of voting.

Who has access to the electoral roll?

Under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, the electoral roll (containing names and addresses):

• can be publicly viewed at any AEC office
• may be supplied to prescribed authorities, such as members of parliament, political parties, approved medical researchers, and public health programs
• is used to maintain joint Commonwealth and state and territory electoral rolls.

Since July 2004, the electoral roll has not been available for purchase by the public. Pre-2004 versions of the electoral roll may be viewed at the state or territory library or at the National Library of Australia.

The current penalty for commercial use of past or current electoral rolls is 1 000 penalty units (i.e. $170 000).

I don't agree with Australian electoral law, what can I do?

The Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 underpins the electoral process. Any changes to this law are decided by the Parliament. If you would like to recommend changes to this law, please feel free to contact my office, or write to the Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters.