Electoral Roll – Frequently Asked Questions

How can I view the electoral roll?

You may only view the electoral roll to ensure people are correctly enrolled to vote. The current electoral roll (containing names and addresses) is available for public inspection at any AEC office. It does not contain personal details such as date of birth, phone numbers or email addresses. Past electoral rolls (before 2006) are available from the National Library of Australia or may be available from state or local libraries.

You can check your enrolment details online but you must enter your details exactly as they appear on the electoral roll. For example, you must enter your full name including your middle name, if that is how you enrolled.

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 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 notified by the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages or if notified by a family member.

To request they be removed from the roll, contact the AEC and provide the following details about the deceased:

• surname/family name
• given/first names
• last enrolled address
• date of birth
• date of death.

You will also need to provide:

• your name
• your relationship to the deceased
• your contact phone number.

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

If your relative has dementia, you can contact the AEC to request they be removed from the electoral roll.

To do this, you will need to provide:

• a statement from a registered medical practitioner certifying your relative is incapable of understanding the nature and significance of enrolment and voting because of unsound mind
• a completed 'claim that an elector should not be on the electoral roll' form, available on request from 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.

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, state or territory library or at the National Library of Australia
• 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.

The current penalty for commercial use of past or current electoral rolls is $110 000.

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, not by the AEC.

If you would like to recommend changes to this law, you can contact your representative in the Senate or the House of Representatives or write to the Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters.