Welcome to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) Corporate Plan 2021‑22: the outline of the four key activities that enable us to fulfil our purpose against a backdrop of an increasingly complex operating environment.
The planning process provides an opportunity to reflect on our agency’s commitment to delivering elections to the highest standard, and to ensure a safe and trusted result for all Australians.
The AEC’s values of electoral integrity through agility, professionalism and quality underpin everything we do and assist us to deliver federal elections that are: accessible to all eligible voters; professionally run; impartial; and transparent. We also continue to evolve and innovate in order to meet the demands of the changing external environment.
Maintaining a positive reputation for the Australian electoral system amongst citizens is critical in ensuring trust in election results, and electoral integrity is central to this. Additionally, proactive strategies to build understanding about electoral processes, and to manage stakeholder and community expectations about electoral services, is becoming even more critical.
The challenge of electoral reputation management has intensified in the era of social media and disinformation: particularly when some citizens and other commentators can be astonishingly swift to reach, and then broadcast, unshakably strong views about electoral events. These views, frequently untethered to the realities of law, process or context, can ooze into the mainstream and can influence broader societal views. Anticipating those issues enables the AEC to deal with matters before they influence the reputation of Australia’s electoral system.
The next federal election will be the largest and most complex in Australia’s history. The sheer size and scale of the event, with the highest level of enrolment since Federation, brings with it the need to provide services to meet the demand, and to recruit and train more staff to help deliver the franchise. The current COVID-19 pandemic continues to add a layer of complexity and we must remain alert, focused and ready to work with our stakeholders to adjust. We also expect the next event will be the most scrutinised election to date, in light of increased citizen engagement through social media observed both here and internationally.
The AEC has measures in place to manage security (both cyber and physical), provide accurate information and ensure operational integrity so citizens have faith in, and can trust, the election result. The AEC’s is steadfastly committed to maintaining high standards, and to applying the requirements of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Electoral Act) without fear or favour.
Planning the future direction of the AEC and evolving the services we provide to meet future requirements requires us to think beyond the immediate.
To that end, we have been considering what elections might look like in the year 2030 and, more importantly, what electors will expect from the voting experience in the longer-term future. The thinking behind this planning exercise is enabling us to respond to our changing environment, and develop processes to identify appropriate risks, mitigations and controls. In doing so, our key aim is to facilitate, not complicate, the electoral process. Concrete steps towards this Voter 2030 vision are already underway.
We are on a pathway to becoming a leader in learning and development and we have never been more heavily invested in this aspect of our organisation. The AEC identifies learning and development needs to develop programs that are focused on increasing the skills and knowledge of the workforce and building our overall capability.
We are taking great strides in our modernisation journey. The AEC received significant funding in the 2020–21 federal budget to modernise the AEC’s antiquated IT systems architecture. The first stage in planning of this program of work is nearing completion. Ultimately, over many years, the program will enable us to simplify, secure and strengthen how we deliver elections. Fundamentally, the modernisation process will improve the core capabilities underpinning how we deliver elections and assist the AEC to cope with the expected and unexpected challenges of the future.
A further key element of the modernisation strategy is the AEC Command Centre, which will provide a central, overarching view of all aspects of our operations. The command centre will be up and running at the next federal election and will help enhance situational awareness of key operations, and drive nationally consistent, centrally led service delivery.
While we always maintain an appropriate level of preparedness, we now move to the ‘mobilisation’ stage of our electoral readiness framework. This means we are conducting exercises and rehearsals to confirm that changes and lessons from the previous election have been implemented, and we’re ready to conduct the big event – whenever it may be.
Tom Rogers
Electoral Commissioner
I, as the accountable authority of the Australian Electoral Commission, present the Corporate Plan 2021–22 which covers the period 2021–25 as required under paragraph 35(1) (b) of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.
Tom Rogers
Electoral Commissioner
This is the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) Corporate Plan 2021–22. The document sets our strategic direction for the next four years and outlines the elements in our plan that work together to deliver our purpose.
The AEC is a non-corporate Commonwealth entity under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and an independent statutory authority, established under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Electoral Act).
Our purpose is to maintain an impartial and independent electoral system for eligible voters through active electoral roll management, efficient delivery of polling services, and targeted education and public awareness programs.
Pursuant to the Electoral Act, we do this by:
We must also provide a range of electoral information and education programs, both in Australia and in support of Australia’s national interests.
We measure our performance against our key activities, distinct or significant work that contributes to achieving our purpose.
Section 6 of the Electoral Act establishes a three-person Commission which has exclusive powers, particularly in relation to electoral redistributions, political party registration, and funding and disclosure. Current Commission members are:
We are a leader in refining and delivering best practice in election management.
Our performance is measured against our key activities:
Our operating context discusses the environment we expect to operate in over the next four years. It outlines how we build our capability and manage our risks, and how we cooperate with others to deliver our purpose.
Our corporate plan fits within the broader APS Performance Management Framework required under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act). Our performance aligns with the performance criteria in the Portfolio Budget Statements (PBS)*.
Performance measures |
Key activities |
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
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Electoral roll management
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Elections, by-elections and referendums
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Public awareness
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Party registration and financial disclosure
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In the PBS, the AEC has one outcome: Program 1.1 — To deliver electoral events.
We report our performance through our key activities. The above table maps the performance measures in the PBS against the AEC’s key activities. Our performance against each measure is detailed below.
* See 2021–22 PBS published in May 2021
An essential feature of Australian democracy is an electoral system that operates with a high level of integrity. The AEC maintains an impartial electoral system and processes for elections, referendums, plebiscites and by-elections in accordance with the Commonwealth Electoral Act 2018 (the Electoral Act) and the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984.
As the Australian Government’s independent electoral body, electoral integrity is central to the AEC’s values of agility, professionalism and quality. To maintain electoral integrity, the AEC regulates important aspects of the electoral system. This includes:
This enables all eligible Australians to enrol, nominate as candidates, vote, and have their votes counted accurately and securely. Citizens participate in a free, fair and appropriately regulated electoral system.
Intended results |
AEC contributions |
Performance measures |
Targets |
Source |
Method and frequency |
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---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021–22 |
2022–23 |
2023–24 |
2024–25 |
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1.1 Deliver the franchise – an Australian citizen’s right to vote |
Maintain impartial and independent enrolment and electoral services and processes that enable voters to exercise their franchise. |
Percentage of eligible voters enrolled (enrolment rate). |
≥95% |
≥95% |
≥95% |
≥95% |
Electoral roll and Australian Bureau of Statistics population data. |
Roll and population data calculated and reported annually at the end of each financial year and at close of rolls for a federal election or referendum. |
Percentage of voters enrolled who turn out to vote at all federal electoral events (turnout rate). |
>90% voter turnout rate for elections for the Senate and House of Representatives at the 2021–22 federal election. Where applicable, turnout rate will be reported for by-elections. |
AEC Tally Room. |
Number of people enrolled to vote who cast a vote by any voting method at a federal electoral event. |
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Percentage of votes cast formally for the House of Representatives and Senate at next federal election or at a referendum or for by-elections (if any held). |
>90% formality rate for Senate and House of Representatives. Where applicable, formality rate will be reported for by-elections. |
AEC Tally Room. |
Percentage of formal votes cast when compared to all votes cast at a federal electoral event (including referendum). |
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1.2 Maintain a high level of confidence in the electoral roll |
Actively manage the electoral roll throughout the electoral cycle. Process enrolments to agreed timeliness and standards and quality assure a representative sample of enrolments for accuracy. Support the delivery of state, territory and local electoral events by delivering joint roll services to state and territory electoral commissions. |
Percentage accuracy of the Electoral Roll at the electoral division-level and individual address-level. |
≥95% and ≥90% |
≥95% and ≥90% |
≥95% and ≥90% |
≥95% and ≥90% |
The Annual Roll Integrity Review (ARIR), which measures the accuracy and integrity of electoral roll data. |
AEC roll data and other agency data, calculated and publicly published quarterly and annually at the end of each financial year. |
Support the timely conduct of electoral redistributions, ensuring, as near as practicable, that each state and territory gains representation in the House of Representatives in proportion to their population. |
Redistributions determined in accordance with the Electoral Act. |
All redistributions are determined in accordance with the planned determination date and impacted electors are notified prior to the relevant federal election. |
Government Gazette and newspaper notices, and the date of letters to electors lodged with Australia Post. |
For each redistribution, publication of notices and letters to electors comply with requirements in the Electoral Act. |
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1.3 Exercise our regulatory functions |
Process political party registrations in accordance with the Electoral Act. Regulate the funding and financial disclosure scheme for political parties, entities and individuals with disclosure obligations. Develop education and awareness resources and products to assist political entities in Part XX of the Electoral Act and those impacted by electoral authorisations to understand and comply with their regulatory responsibilities. |
The AEC maintains an up-to-date public register of political parties. |
Compliance with Part XI of the Electoral Act. |
Electoral Act (Part XI), AEC funding and disclosure, Client and Return Management system and the AEC website. |
No identified breaches of Part XI of the Electoral Act for the year, as at reporting date. |
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In relation to political parties and entities with disclosure obligations, the AEC publishes the returns in accordance with timeframes in the Electoral Act, and conducts compliance reviews in line with the approved program. |
Annual returns published on the first working day in February. Election returns published 24 weeks after polling day for each electoral event. Compliance reviews completed annually compared to the approved program. |
For annual returns and election returns, the source is the Transparency Register on the AEC website. For compliance reviews, please refer to the AEC website. |
Annual returns: measured annually. Election returns: measured for each electoral event. Compliance reviews: measured annually as at reporting date. |
The AEC delivers federal electoral events, industrial elections, protected action ballots, and Torres Strait Regional Authority elections in accordance with the relevant legislation and rules.
The AEC provides the best possible electoral services and events to stakeholders and the public within a complex environment and in response to increasing community expectations. The AEC must deliver these services and events with the highest degree of integrity, impartiality, and in accordance with legislation. We deliver to all stakeholders and diverse customer service expectations. Electoral services and events need to be accessible to all eligible Australians.
The AEC prepares for and delivers electoral events through the Election Readiness Framework. While the AEC works to a three-year electoral cycle, the timing of electoral events is unknown. The AEC must strike a careful balance between the likelihood of an event occurring with the cost and complexity associated with maintaining a readiness posture. Election readiness is also balanced against other agency priorities.
The AEC uses a lessons management approach during and following an electoral event to ensure Australians are provided with successful electoral events. Within the bounds of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 2018 (the Electoral Act), we continue to enhance and modernise our model for delivering electoral events and services.
Under the Electoral Act, the AEC also supports international electoral management bodies, in close cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Intended results |
AEC contributions |
Performance measures |
Targets |
Source |
Method and frequency |
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---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021–22 |
2022–23 |
2023–24 |
2024–25 |
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2.1 The AEC maintains an appropriate level of election readiness |
Using the Election Readiness Framework, the AEC comprehensively prepares for the federal election and other electoral events. |
AEC-wide readiness achieved by the Directed Level of Electoral Readiness date (federal elections only). |
Agency wide readiness meets the Directed Level of Electoral Readiness date (federal elections only). |
AEC Election Readiness Framework. |
Undertaken as required at key times prior to each electoral event. |
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2.2 The public and stakeholders have confidence the electoral process is well managed in accordance with legislation |
Successfully deliver federal electoral events in accordance with legislation. |
The election result – for each event – is delivered in accordance with the Electoral Act. |
The writs for a federal election event are issued and returned in accordance with legislative requirements and timeframes. The AEC will report on the number of Court of Disputed Returns matters which challenge AEC conduct, and whether these challenges are dismissed or upheld in favour of the AEC. |
Electoral Act. Electoral Commissioner’s advice published on AEC website. Outcomes of the Court of Disputed Returns. |
For each electoral event:
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2.3 Accessible and high quality enrolment and polling services |
Deliver enrolment services to electors in a timely and efficient manner. Identify opportunities to modernise delivery of enrolment services and increase digital offerings to our stakeholders. |
Percentage of new enrolments and enrolment updates lodged through the Online Enrolment Service. |
≥80% |
≥80% |
≥80% |
≥80% |
Roll data from AEC enrolment systems and extracts. |
Rates calculated monthly and reported annually at the end of each financial year. Also calculated at close of rolls for full federal elections. |
Deliver polling services to the public (including priority groups – see below in Key Activity 3) within the parameters and timeframes set in the Electoral Act and the AEC’s Event Service Plan. Mature and embed the AEC’s lessons management approach and capability. Undertake an AEC voter survey following each federal election to inform future planning and delivery of electoral events. |
Voting locations (including early voting centres and polling places) published on the AEC website before polling commences. |
100% of polling locations are published. |
AEC Election Management System data. AEC website. |
Publication on the AEC website for each electoral event. |
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After election night, count information is progressively updated on the AEC website. |
Preliminary election results available on election night and progressive count information updated on the AEC website. |
AEC Election Management System data. |
Publication on the AEC website for each electoral event. |
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Undertake a lessons management approach to delivering electoral events. |
Lessons from the previous electoral event implemented at the next electoral event. |
AEC Lessons Management Framework. AEC Election Readiness Framework. |
Agency-wide qualitative analysis undertaken for each federal election. |
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2.4 Industrial elections and ballots are designed for the future and delivered with integrity |
The AEC meets legislative requirements to conduct electoral events for organisations registered with the Fair Work Commission; and protected action ballots when assigned as the Ballot Agency by the Fair Work Commission. Engage with stakeholders to modernise industrial election processes and systems, mature planning and assurance, and detail lessons learned. |
Election and ballot results are delivered with integrity and withstand scrutiny. |
The AEC will report on the outcomes and number of events in which the AEC’s conduct is challenged before a court. |
High Court outcomes. |
High Court outcomes for the year, as at reporting date.
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To maintain awareness of electoral matters, the AEC engages with the public and a range of different communities and stakeholders throughout the electoral cycle. At a federal election, the AEC conducts a national advertising campaign across a range of communication channels and in many Indigenous and major community languages to maximise successful election participation.
Our education and public awareness activities target all eligible voters and consider Australia’s diverse population. Targeted information, services, tools and strategic partnerships are developed for priority groups, including those who may experience some barriers to electoral participation.
The AEC also continues to deliver education programs for tens of thousands of school children through our National Election Education Centre (NEEC) in Canberra.
Intended results |
AEC contributions |
Performance measures |
Targets |
Source |
Method and frequency |
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---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021–22 |
2022–23 |
2023–24 |
2024–25 |
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3.1 Enable Australians to participate in electoral events and understand electoral matters |
Provide timely and accurate electoral information and public awareness products and campaigns to a range of target audiences to support enrolment and participation in electoral events. |
Deliver public awareness and education products that target all Australian citizens aged 18 years and over. |
The AEC’s public awareness campaign is delivered in accordance with key objectives outlined in the campaign strategy and meets identified benchmarks for electoral events. |
Campaign evaluation report. |
Specific communication activities delivered for mainstream and identified special audience groups measured for each federal election. |
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Work with key stakeholders such as state and territory electoral commissions, further enhance partnership arrangements and extend our digital reach to provide awareness and education products to the priority groups. The priority groups include: youth (18–24 years old); Indigenous Australians; people with disability; people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; people experiencing homelessness; and people who are incarcerated. |
Percentage of 18 to 24 year old Australians enrolled (youth enrolment rate). |
≥85% |
≥87% |
≥87% |
≥87% |
Roll data from AEC enrolment systems. ABS population data. |
Rates calculated monthly and published quarterly. Also measured and reported for each federal election. |
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Deliver electoral participation activities to support AEC priority groups. |
Assessment of activities delivered in accordance with the AEC Targeted Engagement Framework 2020-2023 and the AEC Indigenous Electoral Participation Program National Action Plan 2021–2022. |
Assessment against Targeted Engagement Framework 2020–23. |
Assessment of activities for the year as at each reporting date. |
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3.2 Enhance understanding of Australia’s electoral system |
Deliver a high quality and accessible electoral education experience to school children through the NEEC. Provide a program of targeted professional learning opportunities and resources to teachers that support their teaching of the Australian electoral system consistent with the Australian Curriculum. |
Annual visitors to the NEEC. |
New baseline determined in 2022–23*. |
AEC visitor data captured via the NEEC online booking system. |
Visitor attendance reported annually. |
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Visitor satisfaction rates at the NEEC. |
≥90% |
≥90% |
≥90% |
≥90% |
AEC NEEC visitor data. |
Visitor satisfaction surveys captured for each education program reported annually. |
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Maintain the number of unique views of AEC for Schools website. |
≥200,000 |
≥200,000 |
≥200,000 |
≥200,000 |
AEC for Schools website. |
AEC website analytics of unique visits to AEC for Schools website reported annually. |
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Teacher professional learning participant numbers. |
350 teacher professional learning participants (with an intention to review in 2022–23)*. |
AEC Learning Management System data and attendance at in-person sessions. |
Professional learning participation rates reported annually. |
* COVID-19 affected visits and face-to-face education programs through 2020. The NEEC will be refurbished in 2021–2022, affecting visits. A new baseline visitor target will be established in 2022–23.
Building and maintaining a capable and agile organisation and professional workforce is critical to delivering electoral events. To ensure we can respond to changing legislation, policy, community expectations and our environment, we must continue to develop our agility and capability. We do this by refining our organisational structure and focusing on key aspects of governance and assurance. We are also investing in and modernising our enrolment and election systems and processes.
Our people and learning and development strategies are designed to ensure the AEC can attract, develop and retain a talented, agile and professional workforce. This includes both our regular APS and temporary election workforce, which surges to more than 90,000 employees during a federal election.
Intended results |
AEC contributions |
Performance measures |
Targets |
Source |
Method and frequency |
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---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021–22 |
2022–23 |
2023–24 |
2024–25 |
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4.1 Develop and maintain a professional, talented and agile workforce |
Continue to develop our workforce by implementing the AEC People Strategy and Learning and Development Strategy. Further expand our capability to support and train the AEC’s temporary election workforce. |
Percentage of identified APS employees undertaking specific training relevant to their role. |
≥95% |
≥95% |
≥95% |
≥95% |
AEC Learning Management System. |
Training completion data measured annually. |
Percentage of TEW employees completing election training relevant to their role. |
≥95% |
≥95% |
≥95% |
≥95% |
AEC Learning Management System. |
Training completion data measured for each federal electoral event. |
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4.2 Invest in organisational capability and governance |
Continue to mature and streamline our agency’s organisational structure and governance arrangements. Improve our maturity across management of finance and workforce, risk, security (under Protective Security Policy Framework), information management and privacy. |
Increase agency-level governance maturity in the areas of risk management, protective security, privacy and information management. |
Increase or maintain maturity against identified Commonwealth surveys or plans. |
Comcover Risk Culture survey, AEC Information Management Strategy and National Archives of Australia’s Check-up PLUS survey and reports, Protective Security Policy Framework, AEC Privacy Management Plan. |
Survey benchmarking using Commonwealth frameworks and agency maturity assessments for protective security and information management measured annually. Comcover Risk Culture survey is measured biennially. Qualitative assessment on privacy management, performed annually as at reporting date. |
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4.3 Implement systems and processes that are sustainable, relevant and modern to support election planning and delivery |
Continue investment in the AEC’s modernisation agenda. |
Progress the modernisation of the AEC’s core election and roll management systems. |
Meet the key program milestones associated with the procurement, delivery, execution and de-commissioning of these systems. |
Program documentation and reporting. |
Governance reporting mechanisms (including internal and external assurance) as guided by program structure and documentation; as at reporting date. |
The AEC regulates the Commonwealth funding and disclosure scheme detailed under Part XX of the Electoral Act. This requires candidates, Senate groups, political parties, political campaigners, associated entities, third parties and donors to lodge election or annual financial disclosure returns with the AEC.
The AEC administers the registration of political parties under Part XI of the Electoral Act and maintains a Register of Political Parties. This lists those parties which are eligible to have the party affiliation of their endorsed candidates printed on ballot papers at a federal election.
The AEC administers the authorisation of electoral communications in accordance with Part XXA of the Electoral Act.
In line with the Australian Government’s commitment to reducing the cost of unnecessary and inefficient regulation imposed on individuals, business and community organisations, we apply the principles of regulator best practice in assessing our regulatory performance.
The principles of regulator best practice are:
The following table outlines our performance against our measures of success.
What we do to meet the best practice principles |
Measures |
Key activity reference |
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We understand the operating environment and circumstances of stakeholders, and take actions to minimise the potential for unintended negative impacts on them. We provide guidance and information that is up to date, clear, accessible and concise, and that is delivered through appropriate channels to the target audience. We apply a risk-based, proportionate approach to compliance obligations, engagement and regulatory enforcement actions. We ensure information requests to the public and stakeholders are tailored and only made when necessary to secure regulatory objectives, and only then in a way that minimises impact. |
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1, 2, 3 and 4. |