Election positions

Updated: 24 August 2021

There is a wide range of paid temporary roles available throughout a federal election from supervisory to administrative roles.

Work period

Before election day

These positions support preparation for the election and conducting early voting. Early voting includes pre-poll voting in several locations across each electorate and mobile polling, which provides a range of voter services to remote communities, hospitals, aged care and other facilities. Some positions may involve long hours or travel, predominantly Monday – Friday.

On election day

These positions conduct polling at polling places on election day. You will normally be required to work extended hours, usually from 7am to 10.30pm. The polling place will be open from 8am to 6pm and staff will conduct a count of ballot papers once polling ends. Staff must remain at the polling place until all duties are completed.

There are also several positions required on election night, usually commencing from 4pm onwards. This includes assisting with counting votes, processing materials returned from polling places and overnight sorting of materials. These positions are located at the divisional ‘out posted centre’ .

Most of these roles involve prolonged periods of sitting and standing, and the ability to lift and carry up to 12kgs.

After election day

These positions support the count of all votes cast at the election and administrative work to finalise the election. This may involve extended hours and weekend work and typically runs for three weeks after election day.

Types of roles

Each position has its own set of tasks, competencies, and attributes as outlined below.

All election staff are required to complete relevant training before commencing employment. This may be a combination of on the day, online and attendance training.

Supervisor roles

Most supervisor roles require a character check including a police check (conducted by an AEC contracted provider)
Supervising staff, problem solving, following set procedures
Organisation skills including prioritisation, time management and multi-tasking
Self-motivated
Effective communicator
Customer service focussed

Team member roles

Administration skills
Customer service focussed
Work effectively as part of a team
Accuracy and attention to detail
Follow set procedures

Mobile polling roles

Travel between polling places which requires full driver’s licence and use of private vehicle

Core requirements and competencies

Individuals interested in applying for work at elections must meet the following core competencies and requirements:

Australian citizen
All roles on election day require you to be 18 years or over
Political neutrality
Basic literacy and numeracy skills (reading, writing and comprehension)
Basic interpersonal/communication skills
Basic computer skills
Basic analytical skills
Good attention to detail
Ability to follow directions and perform repetitive tasks
Ability to learn in a short time frame
Ability to lift and carry up to 12kgs (applies to the majority of election roles)
Ability to work long hours in varying polling place conditions, with prolonged periods of standing, sitting or driving (for mobile polling roles).

Summary of election staff positions available

Position	Main tasks	Attributes
No results
Temporary Assistant Level 1 (EO 1)	Support for election preparation, election conduct and election finalisation Work is conducted at various locations where required Perform a range of duties as directed by AEC staff and the supervisor for the hours you are required to work Follow and promote COVID-safe measures at election locations	Team Member Before Election Day Election day After Election Day Under 18 years positions available	before election after
Scrutiny Assistant (EO 1)	Assist with preparation of material for vote counting, dismantling of the polling place, packing materials, removing signs and posters Unfolding, sorting and counting of ballot papers Keep ballot papers secure by adhering to ballot paper principles.	Team Member Election day after 5pm Police Check Required 18 years or over	election
Scrutiny Assistant (Return of Materials) (EO 2)	Unfolding, sorting and counting of ballot papers Assist with the packing of materials and cleaning and tidying of the polling place Return materials to Out-posted Centre (OPC) or Hubs if instructed. Securely manage polling materials, including ballot papers	Team Member Election day after 5pm Police Check Required Drivers licence + own vehicle Vehicle must be suitable for transporting polling equipment Own mobile phone 18 years or over	election
Issuing Officer/ Polling Assistant (EO 2)	Issue ballot papers to voters who are on the certified list Ensure the security of ballot boxes throughout polling and are placed in the correct ballot box Organise and manage the queue of voters and direct voters to relevant voting points and exit Assist in the finalisation of daily activities at the polling place Follow and promote COVID-safe measures at election locations	Team Member Election day 18 years or over	election
Polling Assistant (Supporting CaLD and Indigenous Voters) (EO 2)	Assist electors from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds by distributing written information, including translated resources. This role may be the first point of contact for electors approaching the polling place Issue ballot papers to voters who are on the certified list Ensure the security of ballot boxes throughout polling and voter flow Follow and promote COVID-safe measures at election locations	Team Member Election day Language skills and community/cultural knowledge 18 years or over	election
Pre-Poll Officer (EO 2)	Issue ballot papers to voters Ensure the security of ballot boxes throughout polling Manage voter flow Assist in the finalisation of daily activities at the polling place The role may work on a roster throughout the early voting period Follow and promote COVID-safe measures at election locations	Team Member Before Election Day Police check required 18 years or over	before
Declaration Vote Issuing Officer (EO 2)	Issue ballot papers and declaration votes Provide enrolment and voting advice and assistance to voters Assist voters to complete enrolment forms Technical role with a need for attention to detail May assist with other polling activities such as Ballot Box Guard, Queue Controller or Ordinary Issuing Officer Follow and promote COVID-safe measures at election locations	Team Member Election day 18 years or over	election
Remote Mobile Polling Assistant (EO 2)	May be required to deliver voter services in remote areas including Aboriginal communities, pastoral stations, out stations, roadhouses and mine sites Securely manage polling materials, including ballot papers Support the Supervisor in delivering remote mobile polling Follow and promote COVID-safe measures at election locations	Team Member Before Election Day Election day Travel required Different forms of Transport Police check required 18 years or over	before election
Temporary Assistant Level 2 (EO 3)	Roster and manage staff to perform a range of duties as directed by AEC staff for the hours you are required to work Provide briefings, demonstrations and training to team members Ability to handle ballot papers safely and securely throughout all electoral processes	Supervisor Before Election Day Election day After Election Day Police Check Required 18 years or over	before election
Second in Charge (2IC) (EO 4)	Support the OIC with the set-up, preparation and dismantling of the polling place before and after polling Assist with the supervision of polling place staff, management and security of materials including ballot papers Deal with voters and political party workers Ensure compliance with relevant policies and procedures Manage the operations of a polling place Brief, coordinate and monitor the scrutiny team	Supervisor Election day Police Check Required Drivers licence + own vehicle Vehicle must be suitable for transporting polling equipment Own mobile phone 18 years or over	election
Officer in Charge (OIC) (EO 4-EO 5 dependant on issuing points)	Manage the set-up, preparation and dismantling of the polling place before and after polling Supervision of polling place staff, management and security of materials including ballot papers Brief, supervise and review staff performance on polling day Manage the operations of a polling place and responsible for all conduct in the polling place Collection of materials and handover/return of materials Brief, coordinate and monitor the scrutiny team Different levels according to different issuing points. Follow and promote COVID-safe measures at election locations	Supervisor Election day Police check required Drivers licence + own vehicle Vehicle must be suitable for transporting polling equipment Own mobile phone 18 years or over	election
Pre Poll Officer in Charge (EO 5)	Brief, supervise and review staff performance Manage the operations of a polling place Manage and secure materials at all times This role is also responsible for the preparation and set up of the polling place before polling commences Manage voters, party workers, scrutineers and other stakeholders Follow and promote COVID-safe measures at election locations	Supervisor Before Election Day Police Check Required Drivers licence + own vehicle Vehicle must be suitable for transporting polling equipment Own mobile phone 18 years or over	before
Mobile Team Leader (EO 5)	Manage a small team to deliver mobile polling in a range of locations – e.g. hospitals, aged care facilities Maintain itinerary of published timetable and completed required records and/or journals Brief staff before polling and ensure all polling officials are following correct procedures and protocols Complete required checklists and documentation to certify compliance Maintain security protocols around election materials at all times Follow and promote COVID-safe measures at election locations	Supervisor Before Election Day Police Check Required Drivers licence + own vehicle Vehicle must be suitable for transporting polling equipment Own mobile phone 18 years or over	before
Early Voting Liaison Officer (EVLO) (EO 5)	Act as a representative for the Divisional Returning Officer (DRO) and provide assistance to the Officer in Charge (OIC) Manage emerging complex problems and issues arising at Pre- Poll Voting Centres (PPVC) and/or with Mobile Polling teams Oversight and manage the operation of polling across multiple polling places Visit multiple early voting or election day polling places and mobile polling teams This may require travel across large geographical areas Follow and promote COVID-safe measures at election locations	Supervisor Before Election Day Police Check Required Drivers licence + own vehicle Own mobile phone 18 years or over	before
Polling Place Liaison Officer (PPLO) (EO 5)	Act as a representative for the Divisional Returning Officer (DRO) and provide assistance to the Officer in Charge (OIC) Manage emerging problems and issues at polling places and with mobile polling teams - Monitor OIC and staff, identify issues and take appropriate action Oversight and manage the operation of polling across multiple polling places The PPLO will visit up to 5 polling places at varying times over polling day ensuring each polling place is visited at least twice. This may require travel across large geographical areas Follow and promote COVID-safe measures at election locations	Supervisor Election day Police Check Required Drivers licence + own vehicle Own mobile phone 18 years or over	election

Election staff roles

The election staff roles infographic provides a quick overview of type of roles available before, on or after election day.

Enrolment

Voting

Engagement

Key processes

Published material

Guidance

Delivering an election

Voting and the Government

For educators

Electoral divisions

Elections and events

Transparency and integrity

Who we are

Work with us

Talk to us