How can you run for election to be a member of parliament?

Hi Ashtyn, thanks for your question.

If you want to stand for election for the Australian Parliament you will need to follow the rules set out in the Australian Constitution and the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918. You would also need to register with the Australian Electoral Commission.

To run for election to be a member of parliament you must be:

  • aged 18 and older
  • an Australian citizen.

You cannot be a member of parliament if you are:

  • found guilty of a serious crime
  • bankrupt
  • in a job where you already receive money from the Parliament
  • a citizen of any other country.
A photo of 3 people voting at a row of purple and white voting booths, with their backs to the camera.

People voting in a federal election

Australian Electoral Commission

People voting in a federal election

A photo of 3 people voting at a row of purple and white voting booths, with their backs to the camera.

Australian Electoral Commission

Description

A row of 6 large, purple and white cardboard voting booths. There are 3 people standing facing into the booths, looking down and filling in their ballot papers. Each booth is screened off from the neighbouring booths so that people cannot see each others ballot paper.

Permission should be sought from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact the AEC email: media@aec.gov.au or phone: 13 23 26.