History Of The Voting Franchise In Australia

This table shows changes in the voting franchise in Australia since the nineteenth century.

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.

Source: Australian Electoral Commission Publications.