Media key facts and figures, 2010 federal election

Updated: 24 January 2011

Enrolment Key Facts

  • 14 088 260 Australians were enrolled to vote for the 2010 federal election (this includes 17 year olds who turned 18 before or on election day).
  • 1 522 991 Australians aged 18 to 24 years were enrolled to vote for the 2010 federal election.

Nominations Key Facts

  • 1198 candidates nominated for the 2010 federal election.
  • 849 candidates nominated for the House of Representatives.
  • 349 candidates nominated for the Senate.

Polling arrangement estimates

  • There were approximately 7 700 polling places around Australia on election day.
  • There were over 500 early voting centres around Australia.
  • Voting services were available at diplomatic missions overseas.
  • 38 mobile polling teams visited almost 400 remote locations across Australia.
  • 450 mobile teams visited over 2 400 special hospitals.
  • Information explaining how to vote in 21 languages was available at every polling place.

Election resources estimates

  • Over 43 million ballot papers were printed.
  • Over 50 000 ballot boxes were produced.
  • Over 150 000 voting screens were produced.
  • Approximately 14 000 recycling bins were produced (including items recovered for re-use after the 2007 federal election).
  • Approximately 100 000 pencils were required.
  • Approximately 140 kilometres of string were required.
  • Approximately 8 million households received the 'Your official guide to the 2010 federal election'. The guide was also published in audio, E-text and braille formats.
  • Approximately 70 000 temporary staff were employed.
  • Approximately 500 election call centre operators were trained.
  • The election call centre operated from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week, and 7am to 9pm on election day.
  • The 2010 federal election cost over $100 million, plus public funding payments of approximately $60 million.
  • The public funding for candidates if they achieve at least 4% of the formal first preference vote was $2.31.

National Tally Room

  • It took the AEC approximately 15 days to set up the National Tally Room (NTR).
  • It took 120 electoral commission staff to run the NTR.
  • There were approximately 100 computer terminals operating on election night.
  • 15km of data cable were required for networking.
  • Up to 650 amps were required to run the NTR.

Virtual Tally Room

  • The Virtual Tally Room contained 1 200 pages on election night.
  • Results were updated regularly on election night and in the post election period.

Divisional Facts

  • Geographically, Wentworth is the smallest division in Australia.
  • Geographically, Durack is the largest division in Australia.