How is the number of members in the House determined? When was last change in number? Is there a maximum number of people in an electorate?

Thanks for your questions, Donn. The number of members in the House of Representatives is determined by the Australian Parliament and there must be approximately double the number of members of the House of Representatives as senators.

The last change in numbers in the House of Representatives was from 150 to 151 at the 2019 election. This was because there was an increase of representational entitlement for the Australian Capital Territory.

There is no maximum number of people in an electorate. When changes are made to the electoral boundaries in a state or territory (this process is called a ‘redistribution’) each electorate should have approximately the same number of enrolled voters. At this time, the number of voters in each electorate must be within 10% of that state or territory’s average. For example if a state’s average number of voters per electorate is 110 000, then each electorate in that state should have between 90 000 and 115 000 enrolled voters.

Men and women sit on green benches with desks. They are listening and working on their devices.

Members in the House of Representatives.

DPS Auspic

Members in the House of Representatives.

Men and women sit on green benches with desks. They are listening and working on their devices.

DPS Auspic

Description

Members working in the House of Representatives.