Australians who are eligible to vote can elect people to represent them in the two houses of Australian Parliament: One being the House of Representatives and the second is the Senate.
The House of Representatives
To make voting easy and represent the area by its local member Australia is divided into areas called electoral divisions. Australian Voters in each electoral division elect one person (a Member of Parliament) to represent them in the House of Representatives. Click on the image below to know more on how to vote your local member in the House of Representatives:
The Senate
Senators are elected by a preferential voting system, know as proportional representation. Candidates for the Senate or the Senator represent the whole of a State or Territory. There are total of 76 Senators in Australian Parliament: 12 for each State and two for each Territory, NT and ACT. Senators for each State are elected for a six year term. Senators for each Territory are elected for a term equivalent to the duration of the House of Representatives. Click on the image below to know more on how to vote for the Senator to represent your State or Territory.
Practice Voting
This practice voting tool has been developed by Australian Electoral Commission to explain the voters the easiest way, how to vote and make sure their vote will be counted in federal elections. It is an interactive step and easy to follow instructions on how to complete both of your ballots (voting) papers correctly for the House of Representatives and the Senate. This tool is just an educational step. Click on the image below to begin practicing.
