Party & Campaign Workers

Party workers, sometimes referred to as campaign workers, are volunteers and staff working for political parties and election candidates at the polling place. They are an important part of the federal election process.

The information provided here is designed to help Party workers prepare for their role at the booth.

Working outside a polling place can be long and tiring day. Please take the time to discuss with the party/candidate that you are representing and formulate a plan to best prepare for how to look after yourself and your needs at the venue. Based on our experience of engaging with party workers over many elections we provide the following to assist with your conversations and planning.

Sustenance: We recommend that you bring a water bottle and plan your requirement for food. You may want to pack a lunch or scope out any food venues nearby. Alternatively, you could get lucky with the availability of a democracy sausage or cake stall.
Amenities: We cannot guarantee access to toilets at all 7,500+ polling places during the federal election. In addition, some venues that do have toilets available may not be appropriately accessible for party workers given the requirements the AEC has relating to ballot paper secure zones, campaign material in the polling place and a priority for our staff to service voters. We strongly recommend that you research where any nearby amenities are. If needed, have a conversation with the OIC who may be able to assist.
Weather: Check the radar. Bring an umbrella, jumper or sunscreen if needed. Seek shade if required and keep your fluids up.
Accessibility: If you have a mobility issue or foresee issues with standing up for long periods of time, then you may want to consider bringing a chair with you. The AEC does not supply chairs for party workers.

The AEC is committed to doing everything we can to foster a voting environment that is safe and welcoming for voters, AEC temporary staff, candidates, campaigners and scrutineers.

There is a shared responsibility in promoting a respectful voting environment and we expect all political participants to engage with voters and AEC staff in a respectful manner. 

The AEC communicates with candidates and registered parties each election about the expected behaviour of campaigners near voting centres. If expected behaviours are not being met, contact with your party or candidate may occur, or in some circumstances other action could be taken.

You should:

  • Understand and comply with all relevant legal obligations.
  • Understand information set out on the AEC’s Candidates Hub. This includes content in the AEC’s Candidate’s Handbook and the Electoral Integrity Assurance Taskforce’s Candidate's Guide to the Changing Electoral Environment.
  • Engage respectfully with other candidates, campaign workers, AEC staff and members of the public.
  • Support a safe voting environment by ensuring no one feels pressured, threatened, or intimidated.
  • Keep polling places and surrounding public areas accessible, ensuring footpaths, entrances, and carparks are clear and unobstructed.
  • Display or distribute campaign material, including when communicating online, that assists voters to make informed choices and is properly authorised. Do not distribute information that could mislead or confuse voters about any aspect of the election.
  • Respect the campaign materials of others, leaving posters and signs belonging to other candidates, political parties, or third parties intact and visible.
  • Use original campaign material, colours and design elements. Do not imitate other candidates’ or political parties’ names, acronyms, or symbols, or the AEC branding or staff uniforms.
  • Seek permission from landowners before erecting signage, structures or other material. Obtain any required permits or other approvals from the relevant local council.

The Electoral Act gives the AEC certain powers to help everyone involved in an election participate fairly and make informed decisions. We supervise conduct inside the polling place and within six metres of the entrance. We also regulate authorisation of electoral communications, such as posters and advertising.

Inside the 6m: Inside and within 6 metres of polling venues, we have a zero-tolerance policy for abusive, aggressive, or threatening behaviour. People who engage in such behaviour will be asked to leave and we may call the police.

It is likely that a large part of your job will be about communication material. This may include the erection of candidate or party signage, distribution of how-to-vote cards (or other flyers) and even the party-branded clothing you wear.  

Electoral laws require any ‘electoral matter’ to be at least six metres away from the entrance to a polling place. This includes you if you’re wearing campaign material (e.g. t-shirt) when you’re going to vote yourself. For this reason, it is important to have a jumper or alternative clothing available if you’ll need to enter the venue. Please adhere with this requirement and if you are unsure about where that six-metre boundary is, you can ask the OIC.

Outside the 6m: We occasionally get reports about disagreements between party workers regarding who can be closest to the entrance of a polling place or fairness around the quantity or placement of signage. It is not the AEC’s role to determine any such disputes. It would not be appropriate.

However, we strongly urge you to interact respectfully with other party workers at the venue regarding this requirement, and about the election itself.

Authorised material: Given that part of your role may include the erection of signage or handing out of electoral material, we urge you check that an authorisation statement is present on that material before using it. It is a egal requirement. If there is an issue with the authorisation on your material, we recommend raising that with the party or candidate you are working for. 

Each pre-poll voting centre or polling place has an AEC Officer in Charge (OIC). The AEC also has Polling Place Liaison Officers who provide further assistance across a number of polling places as the need arises.

The OIC’s job is to oversee other staff at the voting centre and run the voting operation in accordance with electoral laws. Part of doing this will involve the OIC talking to you as a party worker about the venue and what rules must be followed. Throughout the voting period, the OIC will also be talking to voters, permanent AEC staff and potentially the owners or managers of the venue being used for polling.

OICs are undertaking a complex operation. They are paid staff members who receive good training but, like all polling officials, they are temporary staff members. Like you, they’re providing a valuable input into the conduct of Australia’s elections. Our OICs are directed to be respectful of your role in the election and in their interactions with you, and we’d expect the same in return – even if there is a question or concern about the arrangements in place at the venue.

Please do not film AEC staff at voting venues. They have a right to perform their role without harassment.

Please talk to the OIC in the first instance as they are best placed to assist swiftly. Alternatively, you can contact us. The federal election is a very large operation held in a short period of time with approximately 18 million participants. Please be mindful of the limitations of the AEC’s role and that we may not be able to address every concern.

*If you wish to make a complaint about another party worker for behavioural conduct not relating to electoral laws it is best to contact the relevant party directly. The AEC does not have jurisdiction over party workers. If you’re unable to contact them directly, we can endeavour to pass on your concern on to the relevant party or candidate for their consideration and action.

Updated: 18 March 2026