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Australian Electoral System - Books by JC Reardon
  • Australian Electoral System - Books by JC Reardon
  • Australian Electoral System - Books by JC Reardon
Australian Electoral System

Australian Electoral System

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Australia’s electoral system is democratic and relatively complex, designed to ensure fair representation across its federal, state, and local levels. Here's a clear breakdown of how it works, particularly focusing on the federal level (which elects the national government):

 1. Structure of the Federal Parliament

Australia has a bicameral federal parliament:

  • House of Representatives (Lower House) – 151 members
  • Senate (Upper House) – 76 senators

Each plays a different role and uses a different voting system.

 2. House of Representatives (Lower House)

Voting system: Preferential voting (also called Instant Runoff Voting)

  • Voters rank candidates in order of preference (1, 2, 3, etc.)
  • A candidate needs an absolute majority (50% +1) of votes to win.
  • If no candidate gets a majority initially, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed based on the next preferences.
  • This continues until one candidate has a majority.

Purpose: Elects the Prime Minister (leader of the majority party or coalition).

 Example:

If you voted:

  1. Alice (Green)
  2. Bob (Labor)
  3. Carol (Liberal)

And Alice is eliminated first, your vote then goes to Bob.

 3. Senate (Upper House)

Voting system: Proportional representation using the Single Transferable Vote (STV)

  • Each state elects 12 senators, and each territory elects 2 senators.
  • At each half-Senate election (every 3 years), 6 senators per state are elected.
  • Voters can either:
    • Vote above the line (choose a party), or
    • Vote below the line (rank individual candidates).
  • Seats are distributed based on quotas, ensuring minor parties and independents have a better chance than in the lower house.

 4. Compulsory Voting

  • Voting is compulsory in Australia for all citizens aged 18 and over.
  • Failure to vote without a valid reason can result in a fine.

5. Elections

  • Federal elections are held every 3 years (for the House).
  • The Senate operates on staggered 6-year terms (half elected every 3 years).
  • Elections can be called early under certain conditions (e.g. double dissolution).

 

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