Australia holds two elections—Federal and State. At a Federal level, voters elect a legislature-- the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia. The Parliament embodies two chambers: The House of Representatives (150 members) and The Senate (76 members) elected through a preferential voting system. At a State level, the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) conducts a state election every fourth year. The Parliament of Victoria is classified into 88 Legislative Assembly (Lower House) districts and 8 Legislative Council (Upper House) regions. Australia has an existing two-party system, which means that two key political parties or coalitions control the political scene.

Some Changes in Electoral Administration

In 1902, an Electoral section was instituted in the Department of Home Affairs to conduct Federal elections. 

In 1949, Aboriginal voting rights was recognized. Aborigines were given the right to enroll and vote at Federal elections provided they were permitted to enroll for State elections or had served in the Defense Forces.  

In 1962, Aboriginal voting rights was fully acknowledged when all aboriginal people became entitled to enroll and vote at Federal elections.  

In 1973, the Australian Electoral Office was launched as a statutory authority. 
Voting Behaviour

There are a number of factors-short, medium and long-term that create an impact on the way people vote. Short-term influences include the election campaign and its length, the timing of the election, and the quality of candidates. Medium-term influences consist of performance of government and the opposition, leadership, and economic and political events. Long-term influences, meanwhile veer on the economic and sociological such as gender, ethnicity, class, parental clout and party identification.