Commonwealth Electoral Act 1962

18 June 1962

The Commonwealth Franchise Act 1902 had given Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with the right to vote in state elections, the right to vote in federal elections. However, section 41 of the Australian Constitution was interpreted to exclude all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who enrolled to vote in their state after 1902 from voting in federal elections. In 1962 the right to vote in federal elections was confirmed for all First Nations people, allowing all Australians to participate in the national democratic process.

At Federation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men in all states (except Queensland and Western Australia) and women in South Australia had the right to vote in federal elections. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Western Australia and Queensland did not have the right to vote in state elections until 1962 and 1965 respectively. In 1984 it became compulsory for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to enrol to vote