For many Australians, election day means the tradition of working out how to fit your democratic duty into an already-busy Saturday. This usually involves finding out which polling place is the closest (and quietest), running the gauntlet of political party reps to join the queue to vote, waiting, more waiting, then being funneled out to the awaiting BBQ on the other side.
But – it’s also a great opportunity to earn some extra cash! There are always lots of jobs available, all around Australia, from the inner city suburbs, to remote communities.
Best of all, they’re often looking for adults of all ages, from a variety of different backgrounds to reflect the Australian community.
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| The next Australian Federal Election is expected to be held in 2025 |
Some of the roles include:
– Polling Assistant
– Polling Place Officer in Charge
– Scrutiny Assistant
– Declaration Vote Issuing and Inquiry Officer
Previous experience is not necessary for many of the roles, but there are a couple of requirements. Applicants must be:
– An Australian Citizen
– Politically and Issue Neutral (more information is available on this here)
– At least 16 years old (some roles are restricted to those aged 18+ but there are some positions available for 16-year-olds too)
How much do I get paid?
Pay rates depend on your role, with all rates publicly available (the AEC rates are available here).
As an example, the pay rate for a polling assistant at a federal election is $30.54 per hour.
The positives:
– Paid training
– Experience to put on your resume
– Paid at an award rate
– Elections are held on Saturdays, so it’s great for those who usually work weekdays
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| Elections are a great way to earn some extra money |
Challenges:
– Potentially Long Hours
If you’re working on election day, it can be very a long day. Polling centres close at 6pm, but most staff are required to work until the counting is complete (and then of course there’s the packing up and cleaning).
– Rude or Frustrated Voters
As with any job that involves working with the general public, you’ll meet a range of different people. In my experience, the vast majority of people are friendly, but there’s always the occasional person who may be frustrated at having to vote or wait in line, or who may be angry or frustrated for some other reason.
Generally though, the total contact time with each person is very small, and most interactions are positive, which outweighs the negative.
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| You might encounter the occasional angry face on election day |
So, what’s it like working at an election in Australia?
My experiences as an election worker have been generally positive overall. Some of the things I’ve noticed are:
– The work itself is straightforward, but very repetitive
The interactions with the public make it interesting though. Depending on your role, you may be rotated to different positions during the day to break it up a bit
– It’s hard to predict is how busy it’ll be
Some polling booths are super quiet and you’ll be sitting around for the majority of the day. I’ve worked at one like this, which was nice – especially with few ballot papers to count – but it made the day feel much longer.
Other polling booths are flat-out from 8am until 6pm (and even after the doors close, you’ll still have people trying to get in!)
– It can be a long day, but you’ll get breaks
At each election I’ve worked at, tea breaks are scheduled at set times. In my experience, the polling managers I’ve worked with have been very conscious of ensuring breaks are taken, even when it’s been busy.
Some of my other observations and tips:
– I’ve found the AEC and VEC to be great in terms responsiveness and seeking feedback on the experiences of election staff, and how things can be improved for next time.
– The AEC were also happy to assist in getting in touch with the polling manager after election day, when I approached them to see if they’d be willing to provide a reference.
– Take a water bottle and plenty of snacks. If you’re planning on buying your lunch/dinner, check beforehand if there are shops nearby (and what time they close).
– Dress code is usually neat casual, and you’ll receive a vest to wear. Sneakers or flat shoes are also a good option, as you’ll possibly be on your feet for quite a few hours.
– Some of the buildings can be quite old, with heating that isn’t too effective. If you’re assigned to one of these centres during winter, make sure you rug up. A blanket or hot water bottle can be also be good idea while you’re seated.
How to Apply:
For the best chance at securing one of these roles, register early! And if you’re already registered, make sure your details are up-to-date so that they can get in touch with you.
To apply to work in federal elections, visit the Australian Electoral Commission Employment Page
To work in your next state or territory election, visit the Electoral Commission website for your state or territory:
– Victorian Electoral Commission
– Tasmanian Electoral Commission
– New South Wales Electoral Commission
– Electoral Commission South Australia
– Electoral Commission Queensland (minimum age is 16)
– Northern Territory Electoral Commission
For Western Australia, jobs appear to be advertised through the WA Government website in the lead up to each election. Otherwise, head to the Western Australian Electoral Commission website for some general information about what the roles involve.
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