| Changes In The Franchise |
|---|
| Year |
Change |
1843 |
Men with 200 pounds free-hold or 20 pounds annual value householders were enfranchised. |
1850 |
Men with 100 pounds free-hold, 10 pounds annual value householders, 3 year lease of 10 pounds annual value, or depasturing licence were allowed to vote. |
1856 |
Men over 21 years allowed to vote in South Australian elections. |
1857 |
Men over 21 years allowed to vote in Victorian elections. |
1858 |
Men over 21 years allowed to vote in New South Wales elections. |
1872 |
Men over 21 years allowed to vote in Queensland elections. |
1893 |
Men over 21 years allowed to vote in Western Australian elections. |
1894 |
Women over 21 years allowed to vote in South Australian elections. |
1896 |
Men over 21 years allowed to vote in Tasmanian elections. |
1899 |
Women over 21 years allowed to vote in Western Australian elections. |
1901 |
State franchises applied at the first Federal election (NSW, VIC, QLD, TAS men over 21 years; SA and WA men and women over 21 years). |
1902 |
Most men and women over 21 years allowed to vote at federal elections. However, Aboriginal natives of Australia, Asia, Africa or the Pacific Islands except New Zealand were excluded from enrolment and voting unless they already had the franchise at State level. Women over 21 years allowed to vote in NSW elections. |
1903 |
Women over 21 years allowed to vote in Tasmanian elections. |
1905 |
Women over 21 years allowed to vote in Queensland elections. |
1908 |
Women over 21 years allowed to vote in Victorian elections. |
1920 |
Nationality act 1920 bestowed upon British subjects 'all political and other rights' but South Sea Islanders still ineligible to vote despite being British subjects. |
1925 |
Natives of British India living in Australia allowed to vote. |
1949 |
Aboriginal people were given the right to entrol and vote at federal elections provided they were entitled to enrol for State elections or had served in the Defence Forces. |
1962 |
All Aboriginal people became entitled to enrol and vote at Federal elections and referendums. |
1973 |
The qualifying age for enrolment, voting and candidature for all federal elections was lowered from 21 years to 18. |
1984 |
Enrolment and voting for Aboriginal people became compulsory.
Franchise qualification changed to Australian Citizenship. British subjects on the roll immediately before January 26, 1984 retained enrolment rights. |
