Working before election day

There is paid temporary work before election day so people can vote early. This is often for the 2 weeks leading up to voting day. These jobs include working in early voting centres or in a mobile or remote team.

You can also work at counting centres helping with administrative tasks and logistical work.

There are some jobs for people under 18 years of age (in line with your state or territories minimum working age requirements).

Early voting centre

Early voting centres, also known as pre-poll voting centres, operate up to 2 weeks before election day. The Officer in Charge works for the entire period the early voting centre is open. The Second in Charge and Pre-poll Officer positions are rostered on as needed.

Jobs available:

• Pre-poll Officer in Charge – manages an early voting centre during the early voting period. You are also responsible for the set-up of the pre-poll voting centre prior to opening
• Pre-poll Second in Charge – supports the Officer in Charge with management of the early voting centre and acts in their role when needed
• Pre-poll Officer – issues votes in an early voting centre and helps with other tasks during the early voting period
• Early Voting Liaison Officer – manages approximately 5 polling locations which may include early voting centres and mobile teams. You ensure that policy and procedures are being followed, provide materials and support Officers in Charge or Team Leaders
• Contingent Early Voting Officer (Mobile Polling and Pre-Poll) – are trained as a back-up to work as both an Electoral Visitor (Mobile Polling) and a Pre-poll Officer. You are then trained and ready should any positions become available
• Contingent Early Voting Leaders – are trained as a contingency to work as both an Electoral Visitor in Charge (Mobile Polling Team Leader) and a Pre-poll Officer in Charge. You are then trained and ready should any positions become available.

You’ll need to:

• have an eye for detail and follow processes
• communicate effectively with people from different backgrounds
• be flexible, adaptable and work as part of a team
• be able to sit or stand for long periods, if needed
• be able to potentially lift up to 12 kilograms, if needed
• have good organisational and management skills (for a senior role).

A valid driver’s licence may be needed for some of these positions – please read the job descriptions for further information.

What to expect:

You will be rostered on as required and depending on your availability. Each day you will issue votes to people before election day. You may also help set-up and pack-up the voting centre, manage queues, monitor ballot boxes and help with voter enquiries.

Mobile Polling

Mobile Polling teams take voting services to people who may not be able to get to a polling place (e.g. aged care facilities). They operate in cities and regional areas, delivering voting services for 2 weeks before voting day. Each team is usually made up of 2 to 3 people, including a Team Leader.

Jobs available:

• Electoral Visitor in Charge (Mobile Polling Team Leader) – supervises a small team of staff to deliver mobile polling services in locations operated by a service provider, e. g. aged care facilities, residential mental health facilities, homeless shelters, prisons
• Electoral Visitor Team Member (Mobile Polling Team Member) – works with the Electoral Visitor in Charge to deliver a mobile polling service, including issuing ballot papers.

You’ll need to:

• meet the facilities’ entry requirements, which may include proof of COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations
• provide information and support to voters in a patient, compassionate and supportive manner
• be comfortable working in different environments, such as aged care facilities, homelessness shelters and prisons
• be flexible, adaptable and resilient
• communicate clearly with people from different backgrounds
• have an eye for detail
• have good organisational and management skills (for a Team Leader role).

What to expect:

Every day can vary as you visit multiple locations, sometimes in a single day. You meet your Team Leader each morning before travelling to your polling location. You issue votes, set-up and pack-up polling locations, monitor ballot boxes and help with voter enquiries.

Remote Service Delivery

Remote Service Delivery Teams take voting services to people living in remote communities across Australia. These teams deliver voting services in the weeks before and on voting day, and complete other logistical activities after voting day. Each team is usually made up of 4 people, including a Team Leader.

Jobs available:

• Remote Service Delivery Team, Team Leader – manages a Remote Services Delivery Team to deliver polling services to voters in remote communities
• Remote Services Delivery Team Second in Charge – helps the Team Leader to manage the operations of the Remote Services Delivery Team
• Remote Services Delivery Team Member – works with the Team Leader and Second in Charge to deliver polling services to voters in remote communities
• Remote Service Delivery Team Assistant – works on the day/s the Remote Service Delivery Team is in their community to provide a point of contact and support to community members.

You’ll need to:

• meet facility entry requirements, which may include proof of COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations
• be comfortable travelling to and working in remote communities, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and isolated towns
• be comfortable travelling in different types of transport, such as 4-wheel drive vehicles, light aircraft, helicopters, small boats or barges
• be flexible, adaptable and resilient
• communicate clearly with people from all walks of life
• have an eye for detail
• have good organisational and management skills (for Team Leader jobs)
• be able to drive a 4-wheel drive in various conditions including off road, wet weather and hot conditions.

What to expect:

Every day in a Remote Service Delivery Team is different. You travel to many remote locations to deliver voting services and may spend each night in a different location, with long distances between each. You issue votes, set-up and pack-up polling locations, monitor ballot boxes and help with voter enquiries.

Counting centres

Staff in counting centres, also known as out-posted centres, help with administrative tasks and help prepare materials. You can work before, on and after voting day as needed.

Jobs available:

• Temporary Assistant Level 1 – provides support in the preparation, conduct and finalisation of an electoral event. You assist with packing and distributing of materials before the election, counting of votes on election day evening and after and other administrative tasks as required
• Temporary Assistant Level 2 – provides supervisory support in preparation, conduct and finalisation of an electoral event. You supervise packing and distribution of materials before the election, counting of votes on election day evening and after and other administrative tasks as required.

You’ll need to:

• have an eye for detail
• follow processes well
• work cooperatively in small teams
• be able to sit or stand for long periods, if needed
• be able to potentially lift up to 12 kilograms, if needed
• have organisational and people management skills (for supervisory positions).

Register now if you are interested in working at the next federal election.