You don’t need election experience to be considered for an election role, but you do need to be eligible to work. To be eligible for election work you must be:
- on the Australian electoral roll, and
- 18 or older.
We are committed to making sure our workforce reflects the diversity of the NSW community we serve. We encourage you to register if you:
- speak multiple languages including English
- are from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities
- live with a disability
- don’t have secure housing.
There are a range of jobs available before, on and after election day and we welcome all applications.
Working on election day as an Election Official
Election day working hours are long, but all positions provide a varied, and ultimately rewarding experience.
You get to earn some extra money, learn new skills and make some new friends while helping to deliver democracy to your community.
Your day starts at 6:30am where all election officials get a face-to-face briefing from the Polling Place Manager.
After the briefing, election officials will assist in setting up the polling place so that voting can begin at 8am.
You can expect to carry out a wide range of duties which include:
- queue control
- providing assistance to voters
- issuing ordinary voting papers
- guarding the ballot boxes
- sorting and counting ballot papers after voting is closed
- assist with packing up the polling place.
Polling places tend to be busiest in the morning, although the whole day can run at a steady pace.
Polling places are staffed so that there are enough people to cover busy periods and breaks. During the day, you will have two 15min breaks and two 30min breaks.
Food isn’t provided. Not all polling places are near shops so bring enough food and drinks to get you through the day.
If you have special requirements or medical conditions, let your supervisor know before starting work so we can accommodate your needs.
What happens once voting has finished?
Voting officially ends at 6pm on the day and, after a break, the team then work together to sort and count ballot papers and pack up the polling place.
Time taken counting votes can vary depending on the size of the polling place, but all staff will have left the venue by 8:30pm.
Once the initial results have been provided to the Regional Electoral Officer, the Polling Place Manager returns all voting materials including the counted ballot papers.
Working before and after election day
The NSW Electoral Commission needs Office Assistants to work in the Regional Electoral Office to assist with administration and logistics tasks which may include:
- planning for distribution of election materials
- planning for mobilisation of polling places
- staffing polling places
- general office duties.
After election day, there are a range of administrative tasks undertaken in the Regional Electoral Officers office that are carried out by Office Assistants.
Work is generally conducted during normal working hour. However, some evening and weekend work may be required.
