Electoral Rolls
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Electoral rolls, although only containing information on name, address and occupation (omitted after 1983), can be more useful than telephone directories. After all, many people are not on the phone or are not listed in the telephone directory. Click here to access the whitepages online.
In 1962, the Commonwealth Electoral Act provided that Indigenous people should have the right to enrol and vote at federal elections, including Northern Territory elections, but enrolment was not compulsory. Despite this amendment, it was illegal under Commonwealth legislation to encourage Indigenous people to enrol to vote.. For more detailed information see the web pages, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander - Electoral Timeline or Indigenous people and the vote.
Do note that the 1967 referendum didn’t give Indigenous people the right to vote. They already had it. Very few Indigenous people knew their rights so very few voted.
Getting Access to Electoral Information
Current
Following the implementation of the Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Access to Electoral Roll and Other Measures) Act 2004 on 21 July 2004, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) does not permit the sale of the electoral roll in any format.
A verification facility is available that allows you to verify your enrolment details online.
Each AEC divisional office has the Commonwealth Electoral Roll for their State or Territory available for viewing in electronic format. An Australia wide electronic version of the electoral roll is available for viewing at each AEC State Head Office, ACT Divisional Office and the Central Office in Canberra.
The availability to view the roll is integral to the conduct of free and fair elections, enabling participants to verify the openness and accountability of the electoral process.
Note: The National Library in Canberra keeps microfiche of the Commonwealth electoral rolls from 1901 to present. Some of these may be slightly imperfect. The library also holds a limited number of State electoral rolls on microfiche for the time prior to Federation.
You may wish to check with your State Library to find out what stocks of microfiche, if any they keep.
Historical
From 1990 to 1999, electoral rolls have also been produced in a single microfiche format which lists electors alphabetically by name for the entire State rather than in separate electoral divisions, making it easier to trace people. The microfiche are not available for purchase.
Prior to 1990, electoral rolls are arranged into sub-divisions, so it is important that you know as specifically as possible where the person lived, otherwise you will need to search in all parts of the roll. There are electoral maps that can help tell you that a town, place etc is in a particular electorate. These maps are held in all the state libraries, that you can contact and ask for assistance.
Updated: March 2007