What happens when an election is called

The short answer

happens when an election is called

When a federal election is called, the House of Representatives is dissolved by the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime Minister. The formal election timetable begins: writs are issued setting the key dates, the electoral roll closes seven days later, candidates nominate, voting takes place on a Saturday between 33 and 58 days after the writs, and results are declared when the writs are returned to the Governor-General. The Senate is not fully dissolved in a normal general election — only half the state senators face re-election — unless a double dissolution is triggered. Every step is governed by the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, and the Australian Electoral Commission publishes all deadlines on its website. Campaign reporting and media announcements do not override the formal timetable; the AEC's dates are the only legally operative ones.

This guide explains the federal position first. State, territory and local elections can use different rules, dates and ballot systems, so the commission named on your election material is the final operational source.

The useful question is not only “what is the rule?” but also “who administers it, which document controls it, and when might it change?” That distinction prevents an accurate general explanation from becoming wrong advice in a particular election, chamber or policy setting.

Evidence review

Dissolution and the trigger

A federal election is triggered when the Prime Minister advises the Governor-General to dissolve the House of Representatives and issue writs for an election. Under section 28 of the Australian Constitution, the House expires three years after its first sitting, but the Prime Minister may request an earlier dissolution at any time. The Governor-General acts on this advice by convention, except in the rare circumstance where another member of the House can demonstrate they command confidence and the Governor-General commissions them to form government.

Upon dissolution, all 151 seats in the House of Representatives become vacant. Members cease to hold office and their parliamentary resources are wound down. The Senate, however, is a continuing body — only half the state senators face re-election in a normal general election, along with all territory senators. A double dissolution dissolves the full Senate and is invoked only after the constitutional triggers in section 57 are met. The formal dissolution is proclaimed in the Commonwealth Gazette, and the government immediately enters caretaker mode, avoiding major policy decisions, appointments and contracts that would bind an incoming government.

Evidence review

The election timetable and the writs

The election timetable is fixed by the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918. The writs — formal legal documents commanding the Electoral Commissioner to conduct an election — must be issued within ten days of the dissolution. The writs specify the date for the close of the electoral roll (seven days after the writ is issued), the close of nominations (between ten and 27 days after the writ), polling day (a Saturday between 33 and 58 days after the writ), and the date for the return of the writs (not more than 100 days after issue).

The AEC publishes a detailed timetable on its website once the writs are issued. This timetable is the authoritative source for every deadline. It covers enrolment cutoffs, nomination deadlines, the start of pre-poll voting, postal vote application deadlines and the final date for the receipt of postal votes. These deadlines are statutory and non-negotiable — a late enrolment means you cannot vote, and a late nomination means a candidate cannot stand. The AEC has no discretion to extend these deadlines.

Evidence review

Enrolment and the electoral roll

Enrolment is compulsory for Australian citizens aged 18 and over. The electoral roll closes seven days after the writs are issued. Anyone not on the roll at that point cannot vote, even if they are otherwise eligible. The AEC strongly encourages people to check their enrolment well before an election is called. Enrolment can be updated online through the AEC website at any time, and it is the individual's responsibility to keep their details current.

Once the roll closes, the AEC prints certified lists — the official records of who is enrolled in each electorate — which are used at every polling place. If a voter's name is not on the certified list, they may be offered a declaration vote, which is set aside for later verification. This safeguard ensures that administrative errors or recent moves do not result in disenfranchisement, but it also means the vote is not counted on election night. Australia maintains a joint electoral roll arrangement between the AEC and the state and territory electoral commissions, so changes to one roll flow into multiple electoral systems.

Evidence review

Nominations and the ballot paper

Candidates must nominate before the deadline specified in the writs. To nominate for the House of Representatives, a candidate must be an Australian citizen, eligible to vote, and not disqualified by the Constitution. They must lodge a nomination form with the AEC, pay a deposit, and may be required to provide a certain number of nominators. The deposit is refunded if the candidate receives at least four percent of the first-preference vote.

Senate candidates face additional requirements: they may nominate as part of a group and must indicate whether they want a group voting square above the line. The AEC conducts a public draw to determine the order of candidates on the ballot paper after nominations close. For the House, voters number every square in order of preference. For the Senate, voters number at least six squares above the line for a group, or at least 12 below the line for individual candidates. The ballot paper format is prescribed by the Electoral Act and periodically reviewed by the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters.

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Voting and the count

Polling day is always a Saturday. Polling places open at 8am and close at 6pm local time. Voters who cannot attend on the day may vote early at pre-poll centres, apply for a postal vote, or use mobile polling teams that visit hospitals, remote communities and aged-care facilities. Pre-poll voting typically opens around two weeks before polling day and runs on weekdays with extended hours in the final days.

After the polls close, counting begins immediately. For the House of Representatives, the first-preference count is usually completed on election night and an indicative two-candidate-preferred count is conducted. The full distribution of preferences — the actual count that determines the winner — begins on the Sunday after the election and can take days or weeks in close seats. Postal votes, declaration votes and absentee votes are added only after identity and enrolment checks are complete. The Senate count uses proportional representation and typically takes several weeks to finalise.

Evidence review

Return of the writs and the new Parliament

The election is formally completed when the writs are returned to the Governor-General for the House of Representatives and to the state Governors for the Senate. The Australian Electoral Officer for each state and territory certifies the result and endorses the writ. The AEC then publishes the final results, including the complete distribution of preferences for every division and every Senate contest. This is the definitive record, superseding election-night projections and media calls.

Once the writs are returned, the new Parliament can be summoned. The Governor-General, on the advice of the government, issues a proclamation summoning Parliament to meet on a specified date. The opening involves the swearing-in of members and senators, the election of the Speaker, and the Governor-General's speech. The government is formed by the party or coalition that can command confidence in the House — typically the party with the most seats, or a minority government that has secured crossbench support.

Common questions

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