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Australian Electoral Commission
Each state and territory elects multiple Senators using a preferential voting system.
At a federal election only half of the Senate positions for each state typically become vacant, resulting in six Senate vacancies per state, while all territory Senate positions become vacant.
The order of the party columns on the ballot paper for each state and territory is determined by a random draw held immediately after the declaration of nominations.
Some columns on the Senate ballot paper will feature a party logo but some will likely not. This is dependent on each party officially registering a logo with the AEC.
Senate ballot papers are white in colour.
On the white Senate ballot paper, you need to either:
Polling officials at the polling place are available to assist voters in completing their ballot paper. If you make a mistake on a ballot paper you may return it to the polling official who issued it and receive a fresh one.
If you vote above the line, you need to number at least six boxes from 1 to 6.
Place a 1 in the box above the party or group that is your first choice, the number 2 in the box above the party or group that is your second choice and so on until you have numbered at least six boxes above the line. You can continue to place numbers in the order of your choice in as many boxes above the line as you like.
Your preferences will first be distributed to the candidates in the party or group of your first choice, then to candidates in the party or group of your second choice and so on, until all your preferences have been distributed.
If you vote below the line, you need to number at least 12 boxes from 1 to 12.
Place a 1 in the box beside the candidate that is your first choice, and the numbers 2, 3, 4 and so on to at least the number 12. You can continue to place numbers in the order of your choice in as many boxes below the line as you like.
The AEC acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.