Election positions

Updated: 23 April 2019

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 a number of 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".

The majority 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
Early Voting Liaison Officer (EVLO)	Oversight and manage the operation of polling across multiple polling places Visit multiple early voting or election day polling places and mobile polling teams Ensure compliance with policies and procedures Conduct compliance checks during polling Assist the Officer in Charge (OIC) during polling Manage emerging problems and issues at polling places and with mobile polling teams Remotely manage polling places and mobile polling teams, where travel is not feasible Required to complete all online and face-to-face training	Supervisor Before election day Election day Character check Drivers licence + own vehicle Own mobile phone 18 years or over	before election
Polling Place Liaison Officer (PPLO)	Oversight and manage the operation of polling across multiple polling places Visit multiple early voting or election day polling places and mobile polling teams Ensure compliance with policies and procedures Conduct compliance checks during polling Assist the Officer in Charge (OIC) during polling Manage emerging problems and issues at polling places and with mobile polling teams Remotely manage polling places and mobile polling teams, where travel is not feasible Required to complete all online and face-to-face training	Supervisor Before election day Election day Character check Drivers licence + own vehicle Own mobile phone 18 years or over	before election
Officer In Charge (OIC)	Manage the set up, preparation and dismantling of the polling place before and after polling Responsible for all aspects of the conduct of polling in the polling place Ensure compliance with relevant policies and procedures Supervise polling place staff Securely manage polling materials, including ballot papers Deal with voters and political party workers Required to complete all online and face-to-face training	Supervisor Before election day Election day Character check Drivers licence + own vehicle Vehicle must be suitable for transporting polling equipment Own mobile phone 18 years or over	before election
Second In Charge (2IC)	Assist the OIC with all their duties, as directed Perform the role of OIC in their absence Support the OIC with the set up, preparation and dismantling of the polling place before and after polling Ensure compliance with relevant policies and procedures Supervise polling place staff Securely manage polling materials, including ballot papers Deal with voters and political party workers Required to complete all online and face-to-face training	Supervisor Before election day Election day Character check Drivers licence + own vehicle Vehicle must be suitable for transporting polling equipment Own mobile phone 18 years or over	before election
Declaration Vote Issuing Officer Inquiry Officer	Issue declaration/ordinary votes to voters Provide enrolment and voting advice and assistance to voters Assist with post-polling activities and reconciliation at the polling place after 6pm Required to complete all online and face-to-face training	Team member Before election day Election day 18 years or over	before election
Ordinary Vote Issuing Officer Ballot Box Guard Queue Controller	Issue ballot papers to voters and mark off their name as having voted Guard ballot boxes Assist counting votes and other associated activities at the polling place after 6pm Organise and manage the queue of voters Direct voters to relevant voting points and exit Identify voters that require assistance	Team member Before election day Election day 18 years or over	before election
Scrutiny Assistant	Under the direction of the OIC, assist with preparation of material for vote counting, dismantling of the polling place, packing materials, removing signs and posters Undertake vote counting and assist with post-polling activities Required to complete all online and face-to-face training	Team member Election day after 5pm 18 years or over	election
Scrutiny Assistant with additional responsibility for the Return of Materials (RoM)	Under the direction of the OIC, assist with preparation of material for vote counting, dismantling of the polling place, packing materials, removing signs and posters Undertake vote counting and assist with post-polling activities Required to return polling materials following polling to a location advised by the OIC Securely manage polling materials, including ballot papers Required to complete all online and face-to-face training	Team member Election day after 5pm Character check Drivers licence + own vehicle Vehicle must be suitable for transporting polling equipment Own mobile phone 18 years or over	election
Mobile Polling Team Leader	Manage a small team to deliver mobile polling in a range of locations – e.g. hospitals, aged care facilities, remote communities, Indigenous communities and mining sites Responsible for all aspects of the conduct of polling Ensure compliance with relevant policies and procedures Supervise mobile polling staff Securely manage polling materials, including ballot papers Deal with voters and political party workers Return polling materials to the designated electoral premises Required to complete all online and face-to-face training	Supervisor Before election day Election day Character check Drivers licence + own vehicle Vehicle must be suitable for transporting polling equipment Own mobile phone 18 years or over	before election
Mobile Polling Team Member	Support the Mobile Polling Supervisor in delivering mobile polling Ensure compliance with relevant policies and procedures Securely manage polling materials, including ballot papers Deal with voters and political party workers Required to complete all online and face-to-face training	Team member Before election day Election day Character check 18 years or over	before election
Voter Information Officer	Greet electors to the polling place Provide information and assistance to electors in their language to help them make a formal vote Hand out relevant translated/targeted material This position supports Indigenous and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) voters Required to complete all online and face-to-face training	Team member Before election day Election day Language skills and community/cultural knowledge Character check Drivers licence + own vehicle Own mobile phone 18 years or over	before election
Temporary Assistant Positions (General)	Supervisor role Roster and manage staff to perform a range of duties as directed by AEC staff for the hours you are required to work Support for election preparation, election conduct and election finalisation Most work is conducted at various locations where required	Supervisor Before election day Election day After election day 18 years or over	before election after
Temporary Assistant Positions (General)	Team Member Perform a range of duties as directed by AEC staff and the Supervisor for the hours you are required to work Support for election preparation, election conduct and election finalisation Work is conducted at various locations where required	Team member Before election day Election day After election day Under 18 years positions available	before election after
Temporary Assistant Positions (General)	Overnight Materials Return Receive, sort and account for materials returned from polling places following polling on election day	Team member Election day 11pm to 7am	election

Election staff roles

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

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