The short answer

How candidates nominate for a federal election

Candidates must use the formal nomination process, meet eligibility requirements and satisfy the election timetable. Media declarations of candidacy do not replace accepted nomination.

This guide uses public electoral and parliamentary records. A party or candidate statement establishes what that actor says; it does not independently establish that the statement is true.

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

Who can stand as a candidate

Section 44 of the Australian Constitution sets out the eligibility requirements for membership of the Parliament of Australia. A candidate must be at least eighteen years old, an Australian citizen and entitled to vote in a House of Representatives election. A person is disqualified if they are a citizen or entitled to the rights of a citizen of a foreign power, under sentence or subject to be sentenced for an offence punishable by imprisonment for one year or longer, an undischarged bankrupt, holding an office of profit under the Crown, or having a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in an agreement with the Commonwealth public service. The High Court is the ultimate arbiter of eligibility disputes under section 44, and its decisions have clarified that dual citizenship, even if the person has taken steps to renounce it, can be disqualifying unless the foreign law makes renunciation impossible or the person has taken all reasonable steps.

Evidence review

The nomination paperwork and deposit

A candidate nominates by lodging a nomination form with the Australian Electoral Commission during the nomination period, which opens the day after the writs for the election are issued and closes at a date and time specified in the writ. The nomination form requires the candidate's full name, address, and the name of the registered political party if the candidate is endorsed by one, or the word Independent. The form must be signed by the candidate and either by the registered officer of the endorsing party for party candidates or by at least one hundred electors enrolled in the division for independent candidates. The candidate must also pay a deposit. The deposit is returned if the candidate is elected or polls at least four per cent of the first-preference vote. A candidate may also submit a photograph and a party logo for printing on the ballot paper, but these are optional and must meet AEC specifications.

Evidence review

Party endorsement and independent candidacy

A candidate endorsed by a registered political party appears on the ballot paper with the party's name printed underneath their name. Party endorsement is governed by the party's own rules, not by the AEC. The AEC requires only that the nomination form be signed by the party's registered officer, confirming endorsement. A party's internal preselection process occurs before nomination and may involve local branch votes, central-party decision-making or a combination. Disputes over preselection are party matters and the AEC does not adjudicate them. An independent candidate must not use a party name on the ballot paper and must gather the required number of nominating signatures. A candidate cannot appear on the ballot paper as both a party-endorsed and an independent candidate in the same division. Once the nomination period closes the ballot paper order is drawn by lot, and the draw result is final.

The distinction between party-endorsed and independent candidacy is not merely cosmetic. A party-endorsed candidate benefits from the party name appearing next to theirs on the ballot paper, which provides instant recognition for voters who may not know individual candidate names. Party endorsement also typically comes with campaign resources, volunteer networks and access to party fundraising. An independent candidate must build name recognition from scratch and relies on their own network and resources. The requirement for one hundred nominating signatures for independent candidates is not onerous but it does require demonstrating community support before a nomination is accepted. The AEC does not verify whether the signatories support the candidate politically, only that they are enrolled in the relevant division.

Evidence review

The nomination period and deadlines

The election timetable is legally prescribed by the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and set out in the writs issued by the Governor-General. The nomination period opens at the issue of the writs and closes not less than ten days and not more than twenty-seven days after the date of the writs. The exact close-of-nomination deadline is specified in the writ for each election. Nominations received after the deadline cannot be accepted. There is no provision for late nomination or extension. The AEC publishes nominee details after the close of nominations, including each candidate's name, party affiliation and the names of other candidates in the same division. This is the first official confirmation of who is actually standing. Before this point candidates may withdraw and there is no guaranteed field. The AEC also publishes a list of candidates on its website before election day.

Evidence review

What happens after nomination

After the close of nominations the AEC verifies each nomination and publishes the final list of candidates. If only one candidate nominates for a House of Representatives seat, that candidate is declared elected unopposed and no poll is held for that division. This is rare but does occur. If the number of candidates equals the number of vacancies, they are declared elected. Otherwise a poll proceeds and the ballot papers are printed with the candidates in the drawn order. The AEC does not endorse, promote or oppose any candidate. After the election, candidates must lodge a financial disclosure return with the AEC detailing electoral expenditure and donations received. This disclosure is a separate legal obligation from the nomination process and applies whether the candidate won, lost or was declared elected unopposed.

Common questions

Before you rely on the answer

Can I nominate if I am a dual citizen?

If you are a citizen of another country at the time of nomination you are disqualified under section 44 of the Constitution. If you have taken all reasonable steps to renounce but the foreign country's law makes renunciation impossible, you may be eligible depending on the specific facts and any High Court authority on your circumstances.

What happens to my deposit if I lose?

Your deposit is refunded if you are elected or receive at least four per cent of the first-preference vote in your division. If you receive less than four per cent the deposit is forfeited to the Commonwealth.

Can a candidate withdraw after nominating?

A candidate can withdraw by giving written notice to the Divisional Returning Officer before the close of nominations. After the close of nominations a candidate cannot withdraw and their name will appear on the ballot paper. If a candidate dies after the close of nominations but before polling day the election for that division may be declared void and a supplementary election held.

Source spine

Primary material used for this guide

Review trigger: The Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 is amended to change nomination requirements, deposit amounts or timetable provisions; section 44 of the Constitution is amended or the subject of a new High Court decision altering the interpretation of eligibility; the AEC changes its nomination forms or procedures.

Archive note: This article reflects the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and AEC nomination procedures as at July 2026. For specific election timetables and nomination deadlines, consult the AEC website during an election period.

Primary links are provided without affiliate or tracking parameters. Confirm that the source still applies to the bill, sitting date, jurisdiction or reporting period before relying on it.