AEC calls on temporary workers and reassures that texts are not a scam

By Caleb Francis

Feb 13, 2023

Searching for staff: The Australian Electoral Commission is encouraging citizens to apply for temporary election work. Photo by Caitlyn Grant

The Australian Electoral Commission is calling on “everyday Australians” to take up the task of being temporary election workers, ahead of the coming referendum.

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The first federal referendum in nearly a quarter of a century will require 100,000 temporary election workers.

Electoral commissioner Tom Rogers said that although the referendum would not be until the second half of 2023, building a temporary workforce on such a scale took time and the AEC would need many people, even those without experience, to put their hands up.

“You don’t need election experience to work at the referendum, but you do need to be able to take an impartial approach to your work – that is not negotiable,” Mr Rogers said.

There will be a range of paid roles, from a one-day commitment to work over several weeks.

Jobs will be available in various cities and regional and remote areas across Australia.

Commission staff also want to reassure those who receive an email or SMS prompting them to enrol that the communication was legitimate and were sent to increase the national enrolment rate of 97.1 per cent.

"We understand that Australians may be wary of scam emails and text messages, however, we are reassuring those who receive communication from the AEC that it is legitimate and to enrol to vote via the AEC website, aec.gov.au”