Voting as a democratic right
Voting allows citizens to choose their representatives and to influence how Australia is governed. It is one of the most important rights in a democracy.
In Australia, voting is not only a right but also a civic responsibility.
Compulsory voting
Australia has compulsory voting in federal and state elections. This means that eligible citizens must vote.
If a person does not vote without a valid reason, they may receive a fine.
Enrolling to vote
Australian citizens aged 18 years or older must enrol to vote. Enrolment ensures that citizens are listed correctly and can participate in elections.
The secret ballot
Voting in Australia is done by secret ballot. This means that no one can see how you vote.
The secret ballot protects voters from pressure or intimidation and allows them to vote freely.
Elections and referendums
Australians vote in elections to choose members of parliament.
They may also vote in referendums, which ask citizens to approve changes to the Constitution.
Why participation matters
Compulsory voting encourages high participation and ensures that election results reflect the will of the population.
It strengthens democracy by making government more representative.
What you must know for the test
- that voting is compulsory in Australia
- who must enrol to vote
- what a secret ballot is
- the difference between elections and referendums
- why voting is important in a democracy