Election timetables
Election rules include a timetable that must be followed. This briefing explains what is in the timetables and how long they run.

Australia held a general election on 21 May 2022. After almost a decade in power, the Liberal-National coalition were defeated, with Labor's Anthony Albanese forming the next government.
Australia: 2022 general election (2 MB , PDF)
Several political parties contested the election but, as with previous elections, only the the Liberal-National coalition and the Labor Party were likely to form a government.
The six-week election campaign focused on the main concerns of voters: the economy and cost of living, climate change, and relations with China.
The Australian Electoral Commission announced the results of the election on the evening of the poll closing: after almost a decade in power, the Liberal-National coalition were defeated and the Labor party secured an overall majority of seats in the House of Representatives, with Anthony Albanese becoming Prime Minister.
With 10 independents elected, four Green MPs and two members elected from minor parties, the 47th parliament will have a record of 16 crossbenchers.
Political party | No. of valid votes | % of valid votes | Seats |
Australian Labor Party | 4,775,904 | 32.58 | 77 |
Liberal/National Coalition | 5,233,368 | 35.70 | 58 |
Independent | 777,278 | 5.30 | 10 |
The Greens | 1,796,505 | 12.25 | 4 |
Katter’s Australian Party | 55,858 | 0.38 | 1 |
Centre Alliance | 36,519 | 0.25 |
1 |
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation |
727,724 | 4.96 | 0 |
United Australia Party | 604,755 | 4.13 | 0 |
Other | 652,713 | 4.45 |
0 |
TOTAL | 14,660,624 | 100.00 | 151 |
In this 2022 federal election 17,228,900 Australian citizens registered to vote and turnout was 89.71%.
Legislative power in Australia is vested in the Federal Parliament, consisting of HM The Queen (represented by the Governor-General), the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Australia uses a preferential voting system for its elections. Voters must mark a preference for every candidate contesting the House of Representatives and a preference for a designated number of candidates for the Senate. This provides for multiple counts of ballot papers to occur, with votes transferred between candidates after each round – according to the preferences marked by voters – until a candidate acquires an absolute majority of the total votes.
Only Australian citizens over the age of 18 are eligible to vote in federal elections. Voting is compulsory and it is a criminal offence for an Australian not to be registered on the Electoral Roll.
Failing to vote immediately prompts a $20 fine from the Australian Electoral Commission. Failure to pay the fine would lead to the Australian citizen appearing in court, with the penalty increasing to $222 and any additional court fees incurred.
Australia: 2022 general election (2 MB , PDF)
Election rules include a timetable that must be followed. This briefing explains what is in the timetables and how long they run.
The government proposes reducing the voting age to 16, reviewing voter ID, improving voter registration and strengthening political donation rules.
The UK Government has said the voting age will be reduced to 16 for all elections. This briefing details the voting age for UK elections and the debate about lowering the voting age.