<P> State and local elections are today based upon the Commonwealth electoral roll, maintained under joint roll arrangements . though each state and territory regulates its own part of the electoral roll . The one enrolment application or update form can be used for Commonwealth, state and local rolls (except in Western Australia). </P> <P> The electoral roll is compiled on a state / territory - wide basis, in alphabetical order of surname . Until 1988 electoral rolls were compiled by polling division and sub-division . Lord Howe Island is recorded as part of New South Wales, while the Cocos Islands and Christmas Island are recorded on the Northern Territory roll . </P> <P> Australian citizens over 18 years of age are required to enroll if they have lived at their current address for at least one month . Special rules apply to citizens going or living outside the country, to military personnel and to prisoners, all of which do not reside at their normal residential address for electoral purposes . Homeless people or those otherwise with no fixed address have a particular problem with registration, not having a current address to give . Enrolment has been compulsory for federal elections since 1912 . Enrolment is optional for 16 or 17 year olds but they cannot vote until they turn 18 . Enrolment is voluntary for residents of Norfolk Island . Residents in Australia who had been enrolled as British subjects in 1984 (ie., are non-citizens) can continue to be enrolled . (These comprise about 9% of the electoral roll .) </P> <P> If a change of address causes an individual to move to another electorate (electoral division), they are legally obliged to notify the AEC within 8 weeks . The AEC monitors house and apartment sales and sends a reminder (and the forms) to new residents if they have moved to another electorate, making compliance with the law easier . The AEC conducts periodic door - to - door and postal campaigns to try to ensure that all eligible persons are registered in the correct electorate . </P>

Who gets to vote at elections in australia