Australian Electoral Commission
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    Australian Electoral Commission
    (184 reviews)
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    Company Reviews

    Working at Australian Electoral Commission

    3.9184 ratings in total
    5
    79
    4
    49
    3
    26
    2
    15
    1
    15
    87%
    Rate salary as high or average
    82%
    Employees recommend this employer to friends
    Work/Life balance
    3.6(180 ratings)
    Career development
    2.9(180 ratings)
    Benefits & perks
    2.9(178 ratings)
    Management
    3.6(180 ratings)
    Working environment
    3.7(181 ratings)
    Diversity & equal opportunity
    4.0(181 ratings)
    Ratings for Australian Electoral Commission are shared as-is from employees in line with our community guidelines

    Reviews

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    1.0
    FAD
    Apr 2026
    Canberra ACT 2600Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Avoid at all costs. An Agency that has does not have the leadership to manage major programs
    The good thingsSome good people in the program
    The challengesWorkplace culture is awful
    1.0
    Project Manager
    Mar 2026
    Canberra ACT 2600Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    The single worse government department I have EVER had the distinct displeasure of stepping into.
    The good thingsStandard APS contract rates, but the "mental tax" of the environment quickly negates the financial benefit.
    The challengesThe department is trapped in an outdated mindset that equates physical presence with productivity. There is a total lack of trust and an obsession with micro-management that stifles actual output. Management is aggressive and lacks the emotional intelligence required for a modern workplace. Communication is often passive-aggressive or overtly hostile, favouring argumentative, unprofessional and "we're a family" dynamics over modern ways of working. Zero collaborative tools, stagnated by useless spreadsheets, antiquated processes, no workflows and a reliance on "flying by the seat of their pants" or "winging it". Refusing to evolve and adapt to modern workforce strategies and methodologies keeps this place mired in a sunk-cost fallacy that working harder over more hours fixes problems. It just makes them worse.
    3 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Human Resources Role
    Mar 2026
    Canberra ACT 26001 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    AVOID at all costs.
    The good thingsEnjoyed working within my section. A good team with a lot of respect for each other
    The challengesA toxic and psychologically unsafe culture within Corporate Services driven from the top.
    2 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Second in Charge
    Feb 2026
    Maudsland QLD 421014 to 15 years in the role, former employee
    Roles I've experienced for the AEC, have been well paid, well supported & thorough training
    The good thingsSupport, training, interesting job opportunities, meeting great people, fast paced environment
    The challengeschallenges from the general public
    4.0
    Administration Officer
    Dec 2025
    Penrith NSW 2750Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Interesting for one day, then boring and tedious.
    The good thingsNot sure. Maybe seeing behind the scenes of how an election works.
    The challengesVery boring, if there are no tasks to do, you just sit there until something comes up. I spent entire days standing at a printer, printing leaflets. It was very boring. There is no comradery in the office, it is very quiet and lonely.
    5.0
    Temporary Admin Assistant
    Nov 2025
    Bundaberg QLD 4670Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Great experience. Interesting role.
    The good thingsComprehensive training. Helpful team.
    The challengesCommunication consistency.
    2.0
    Data Entry Role
    Oct 2025
    Ballarat VIC 3350Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Enlightening experience of the voting system and total chaos
    The good thingsmeeting new colleagues. the actual data entry
    The challengesTraining was terrible, had their favourites who got more hours and work than others. Some colleagues were brought to tears and publicly humiliated. Supervisors didn't know what they were doing and contradicted each other, not very supportive.
    1 person found this helpful
    5.0
    Assistant
    Oct 2025
    Homebush NSW 2140Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Great environment to work and and good overall experience.
    The good thingsThe other workers interaction.
    The challengesOverall a good experience
    5.0
    Officer in Charge
    Oct 2025
    Banksmeadow NSW 2019Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    One of the best jobs that I enjoyed doing!
    The good thingsA challenging day to grow leadership skills
    The challengesThe organisation and the team communication
    5.0
    Declaration Vote Issuing and Inquiry Officer
    Oct 2025
    Brisbane QLD 4000Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Best work environment with lots of challenges but very rewarding!
    The good thingsExceptional work ethics, support, equity, friendliness, moral integrity
    The challengesNot much to be mentioned, I was very happy with the environment and support provided.
    5.0
    AEC Officer
    Oct 2025
    Ballarat VIC 3350Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Great experience and would do it again
    The good thingsWell organised at the Ballarat site
    The challengesI had no challenges as supervisors had everything running well
    5.0
    Election Assistant
    Oct 2025
    Witchcliffe WA 6286Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Very good work for seniors.
    The good thingsConvenience of working locally
    The challengesManagerial instructions
    5.0
    Scruitiny Assistant (Return of Materials) / Temporary Assistant Orange OPC
    Oct 2025
    Orange NSW 2800Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Fun short term work that keeps you busy and manages to challenge you whilst keeping you free from pressures.
    The good thingsGood environment where a culture of accuracy and getting the job done exists, whilst also being somewhat laid back and a relaxed.
    The challengeslarge amount of work to be done in a short space of time. However the leaders are great at organising the workload and making it manageable
    4.0
    Vote counter
    Oct 2025
    Canning Vale WA 6155Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    Great and valuable experience
    The good thingsComaraderie, friendships, struggle
    The challengesNothing. Really good experience
    5.0
    Electoral Officer for Division of Ryan
    Oct 2025
    Hendra QLD 4011Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    "Fulfilling, fast-paced, and a great way to contribute to democracy."
    The good thingsWorking at the AEC was a genuinely rewarding. I enjoyed being part of a team that played a vital role in upholding Australia’s democratic process. The work was purposeful, and it gave me a strong sense of civic contribution. I appreciated the collaborative and inclusive environment, where colleagues were supportive and respectful, especially during high-pressure election periods.
    The challengesOne area that could be improved is the responsiveness of the recruitment team. After expressing interest or availability, there were often long delays before receiving confirmation of shifts or follow-up communication. This made it difficult to plan ahead and created uncertainty around work scheduling. A more streamlined and timely communication process would greatly enhance the experience for casual and temporary staff.
    5.0
    Operations Assistant
    Oct 2025
    Forest Glen QLD 4556Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    A busy and active role, balanced with flexibility.
    The good thingsIt's a busy and active role. Comprehensive online training prior. Flexibility to some degree on the 'on-floor' days.
    The challengesIt was a little disorganised on the 'on-floor' days, so better organisation and clarity of roles would be good. Some colleagues should refrain from expressing their political views.
    5.0
    Officer
    Oct 2025
    Brighton VIC 3186Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    Would recommend the experience to anybody interested in seeing how the election process works
    The good thingsIt was fun/interesting to be part of the election process
    The challengesNot really a challenge, yet there was a self pressure to ensure you got the count correct, as it is extremelly important
    2.0
    Incident Manager
    Sep 2025
    Canberra ACT 2600Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    steer clear of this place
    The good thingsThe team and peers were okay to work with but nothing exciting.
    The challengesManagement and the ELT was horrible, they won't think of line level staff and their challenges, but would make "management decisions" for team to follow without even considering if that is feasible in operations. Absolutely prefers to employ their own friends and family and promote them over real talent. So called work-life-balance and flexibility would be offered to the 'preferred' team members and others will have to come to office every day.
    2 people found this helpful
    4.0
    Administration Officer
    Aug 2025
    Joondalup WA 60271 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Great learning experience but prepare for inconsistency
    The good thingsGreat learning experience, wide variety of office related tasks.
    The challengesInconsistency. Was told the day before I was let go that my contract would be finishing 6 months early as there was too many people and not enough work to go around.
    4.0
    Materials Officer
    Aug 2025
    Welshpool WA 6106Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    An enjoyable experience
    The good thingsWell organised and friendly
    The challengesSometimes lacking management
    4.0
    Administration Officer
    Aug 2025
    Adelaide SA 5000Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Fantastic as a learning experience, however patience and also the ability to quickly pickup new processes is required.
    The good thingsInsight into what goes on behind the scenes of an election.
    The challengesUncertainty of hours. Waiting for processes to be completed before my work could begin. There is a lot of 'checks and balances' which is a good thing however also frustrating.
    1 person found this helpful
    4.0
    Declaration Vote Exchange Supervisor
    Aug 2025
    Huntingwood NSW 2148Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    I enjoyed my time with The AEC
    The good thingsStaff very friendly and helpful. Close to home work was interesting
    The challengesNot always trained properly
    5.0
    Office Assistant
    Aug 2025
    Cairns QLD 4870Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Would definitely work here again. When is the next election? :)
    The good thingsThe people were wonderful to work with. The work was varied and I learned a lot about the electoral process. The dress code was smart casual.
    The challengesSaying goodbye. I enjoyed my time there and wish it could have been longer.
    4.0
    Administration Role
    Jul 2025
    North Sydney NSW 2060Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    I’m grateful for the opportunity and motivation to grow within APS.
    The good thingsWorking with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) offers valuable insight into the scale and complexity of running a federal election. It highlights just how vital the work of AEC staff is in maintaining public trust and upholding the democratic process at a national level. The experience also reflects the AEC’s strong commitment to an inclusive and diverse workplace culture, where people from all backgrounds are welcomed and respected. A meaningful and rewarding way to contribute to our democracy. Will I work for the AEC again, YES.
    The challengessome challenges exist—particularly around the capability of certain supervisors (APS2 level). A few newer supervisors lack the training, attitude, and communication skills needed to effectively support and guide new team members. In some cases, patience and professionalism were also lacking. Strengthening leadership development and onboarding for supervisors would greatly improve the experience for new staff.
    1 person found this helpful
    3.0
    Administration Officer
    Jul 2025
    Wantirna VIC 3152Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Good work while you can get it, don't rely on them though.
    The good thingsThe work itself was interesting, and the Wantirna team were great to work with.
    The challengesDon't expect much from anything above your immediate work unit. Although I was frequently emailed to say how important the work I was doing was, the APS1s are the invisible staff members at the AEC. Our feedback isn't asked for above our immediate work unit managers, and their exit processes leave a helluva lot to be desired (72 hours notice!)
    1 person found this helpful
    5.0
    Temporary Office Assistant and Dec Exchange Supervisor
    Jun 2025
    Wantirna South VIC 3152Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    Temporary Office and OPC position for 2025 Federal ElectionAll staff at all levels are easy and welcoming to work with. High expectations from standardized clinical online training modules. Comfortable, inclusive, and supportive team environment.
    4.0
    Declaration Vote Issuing and Inquiry Officer
    May 2025
    Narre Warren South VIC 3805Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Great experience worked with some fun people
    The good thingsDoing something different
    The challengesDon't have any complaints
    4.0
    Administration Assistant
    May 2025
    Perth WA 6000Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    Interesting work if you don't mind the learning curve
    The good thingsThe work was always interesting, the training was extensive and was always a lot of support when help was needed, a healthy work environment with new friends to be found everywhere.
    The challengesThe workload can at times be a bit complicated with a lot of steps that is not always explained thoroughly enough in the training modules, requiring a lot of external assistance, which can disrupt the workflow of others a little.
    2.0
    2IC
    Apr 2025
    Beerwah QLD 4519Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    More interested in PR than promoting meaningful work.
    The good thingsThe chance to have greater social interaction and deal with the public.
    The challengesThe politics of the position and the overreaching emphasis placed on PR.
    3.0
    electrol officer
    Feb 2025
    Cooma NSW 2630Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Impossible and outdated website for enrolling interest to work
    The good thingsextra cash, being involved in the election process
    The challengesAEC has THE WORST website to use, useless, unnavigatable and im quite comp literate. Never gets any better.
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