AEC organisational structure

Updated:12 November 2024

Organisation Chart

Leadership

The Electoral Commissioner is responsible for the overall management and operation of the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). Assisting the Electoral Commissioner are the Deputy Electoral Commissioner and three first assistant commissioners.

State managers, who hold the statutory appointment of Australian Electoral Officer (AEO), are responsible for electoral activities within their state or territory.

Office network

The AEC has a three-tier structure:

  • a national office in Canberra
  • state and territory offices, and
  • divisional offices.

There are four groups in the national office – the Service Delivery Group, the Electoral Integrity and Operations Group, The Organisational Transformation Group and the Enabling and Regulation Group – headed by the agency's four first assistant commissioners. The First Assistant Commissioner, Service Delivery Group is the National Election Manager.

State offices are located in each state capital. The Northern Territory office is in Darwin. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is managed by the NSW State Manager except during election periods, when an AEO for the ACT is appointed.

Divisional offices are responsible for electoral administration within each electoral division. There are 150 electoral divisions in Australia and each electoral division is represented by a member of the House of Representatives. Divisional offices are responsible for the conduct of elections, manage the electoral roll and carry out public awareness activities. Some divisional offices stand alone, while others are co-located in larger work units.

Each electoral division has a Divisional Office Manager appointed under section 22 of the Public Service Act 1999, who performs the functions of Divisional Returning Officer under subsection 32(1) Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918.

Statutory appointments under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918

Position

Legislative provision for existence of role

Current occupant

Current term

Electoral Commissioner
Australian Electoral Commission

Subsection 18(1) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918

Tom Rogers

5 years from 15/12/2019

Deputy Electoral Commissioner

Subsection 19(1) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918

Jeff Pope APM

5 years from 25/11/2021
Australian Electoral Officer NSW Subsection 20(1) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 Rebecca Main 5 years from 8/07/2021

Australian Electoral Officer Vic

Subsection 20(1) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918

Nye Coffey

5 years from
01/04/2021

Australian Electoral Officer Qld

Subsection 20(1) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918

Stephanie Attard

5 years from 8/02/2021

Australian Electoral Officer WA

Subsection 20(1) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918

Anita Ratcliffe

5 years from 05/06/2023

Australian Electoral Officer SA

Subsection 20(1) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918

Cameron Stokes

5 years from 4/02/2021
Australian Electoral Officer Tas Subsection 20(1) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 Hannah Brown 5 years from 12/07/2021
Australian Electoral Officer NT Subsection 20(1) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 Geoffrey Bloom 5 years from 8/07/2021

Chairperson Australian Electoral Commission

Subsection 6(2)(a) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918

The Hon. Justice Susan Kenny AM

5 years from 23/09/2020

Non-judicial member Australian Electoral Commission

Subsection 6(2)(c) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918

Dr David Gruen AO

Until 10 December 2024

The rules for federal elections are contained in the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918. Rules for referendums are contained in the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984.

The Special Minister of State has responsibility for electoral matters.

The Australian Electoral Commission

Section 6 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Electoral Act) establishes the Australian Electoral Commission (the Commission), a three person body which holds responsibilities outlined under section 7 of the Electoral Act. This entity is separate to the AEC, which is established under subsection 29(2) of the Electoral Act as a statutory agency.

The Commission is headed by a Chairperson, who must be an active or retired judge of the Federal Court of Australia. The other members are the Electoral Commissioner and a non-judicial member.

The current members of the Commission are:

  • Mr Tom Rogers, Electoral Commissioner
  • The Hon. Justice Susan Kenny AM, Chairperson
  • Dr David Gruen AO, Non-judicial member.

See Also