AEC Regulatory Framework and Compliance Strategy

Part of the AEC's role is to administer the regulatory requirements in the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984.

Our new Regulatory Framework and Compliance Strategy provide the strategic foundation for the AEC’s expanded regulatory role. These documents embody our commitment to regulatory stewardship. They reflect the AEC’s culture of continuous improvement as our approach continues to evolve and adapt to the changing electoral environment. 

Our future-facing Regulatory Framework defines our regulatory objective and sets the direction for our regulatory activities. It explains:

• what we regulate and principles for how we operate
• what we expect from the regulated community
• what actions we can take to ensure electoral law obligations are met
• how we ensure our regulatory actions are effective.

The accompanying Compliance Strategy communicates how we will put our regulatory approach into practice and establishes compliance priorities across our regulatory functions. It sets out how our regulatory responses and actions are risk-based and responsive to the compliance behaviours of the regulated community.

• Regulatory Framework
• Compliance Strategy

We welcome feedback via our complaints and feedback webpage.

Further information

• AEC Corporate Plan
• Annual Report
• Authorising electoral communications
• Financial disclosure and election funding
  • Funding and disclosure reforms
• Transparency register
• Compliance and enforcement - financial and referendum disclosure
• Compulsory voting
• Conduct during elections and other electoral offences
• Compliance and enforcement activities
• Department of Finance Regulatory Policy, Practice and Performance Framework