AEC Federal Election Employment

Sydneyswans on 04/04/2025 - 22:31

I have worked practically All Federal and state elections since the Era of Julia Gillard and promptly registered my interest over a month go.

Time ticks by only for me to get no call backs and then I finally called the AEC this afternoon only to be told. Whoever looked at your application missed your years of experience and your application was missed. Most positions in your suburb (Dec votes and polling official) are now full. Their new website has been missing a lot of applicants not just me. I can understand lots of people wanting to apply because of cost of living but surely I must be able to find some electoral position close to my suburb?

In the end they got me a position in Penrith/Lindsay electorate but it's the "on standby" position and I won't know my location until the last day or so before the election. That's like 25 minutes away.

Not qualified to do the management positions due to lack of experience but willing to consider it

How is everyone else's experiences for those looking to work in this election? Already hearing horror stories of people not getting calls like me when they're definitely qualified.

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Comments

  • Downvoter on 04/04/2025 - 22:47

    I got a position as a Temporary Assistant Level 1. No idea what it entails as it’s my first time applying.

    • Sydneyswans on 04/04/2025 - 22:59
      +3

      Oh yes you'll probably just be doing the standard votes and ushering people around or ballot box guard. Pretty stock standard stuff but easy money if you don't get to stay back late.

      • joka on 05/04/2025 - 07:07
        +2

        Ah the great mysteries of oz bargain. Get negged for what appears to be a very sensible reply.

      • Downvoter on 05/04/2025 - 10:48
        +1

        Just counting votes after polls close

      • toniyellow on 05/04/2025 - 15:59

        Standard election official is Level 2

        Level 1 is counting only.

        The hourly rate is actually very similar, but fewer hours if you are only counting, and no meal allowance. Less exhausting than telling 1000 people above the line vs below the line though, i think it has the best efford vs reward ratio.

        • tenpercent on 05/04/2025 - 16:02

          FWIW…

          For the Senate ballot paper you either number 6 or more boxes above the line, or 12 or more boxes below the line.

          • Muppet Detector on 02/05/2025 - 16:49

            @tenpercent: My ballot didn't include anywhere to vote for Batman. Had to write it in along the top (and draw pictures on the side).

            • tenpercent on 02/05/2025 - 16:59

              @Muppet Detector: Your vote will not count. Too bad. So sad.

              • Muppet Detector on 02/05/2025 - 17:02

                @tenpercent: It was a very good picture though.

                LOL Have a friend who does this, has us in stitches regaling the shenanigans some people get up to when they vote.

                Batman however does make some sense. He saved Gotham. Maybe he can save us too.

  • Mechz on 04/04/2025 - 23:07
    +2

    Maybe they prioritise the unemployed first.

    • LOTU on 14/04/2025 - 16:40
      +2

      Nope they started a new system last year and if people didn't re-do/check their details they wouldn't be considered. Everyone in the old system was sent emails about it.

  • McMaferMur on 04/04/2025 - 23:14
    +1

    If not super desperate, i dont recomend. They dont give enough break time. And get ready to work 14 hours no kidding

    • Sydneyswans on 05/04/2025 - 10:46

      to be fair I am starting my new day job this month but already accepted an on standby position so ill roll with it.

  • SydStrand on 05/04/2025 - 00:31
    +2

    It's casual work, but rare and relatively lucrative, so of course it would be popular for anyone looking to make a nice little pay day this election cycle. Even with experience, I wouldn't assume I had the job, and just treat it as a bonus if I got the call.

  • JIMB0 on 05/04/2025 - 08:39
    +1

    How much does it pay?

    • Sydneyswans on 05/04/2025 - 10:47

      last year as a Dec Vote officer in the State Election I got $650

      • brendanm on 06/04/2025 - 09:23

        How many hours?

        • Purple on 06/04/2025 - 10:11

          You need to reach the pulling place prior to 7am until counting and batching finished and then help to put all the materials into the manager's car. You will finished at around 10.30 pm to 11.30pm. Depends on individual pulling place.

          • brendanm on 06/04/2025 - 17:36

            @Purple: I wanted to know how many hours that poster did for their money so I can figure out the hourly rate.

            • Purple on 06/04/2025 - 19:11

              @brendanm: 7.00am to 10.30 pm (late at night, depends on individual pulling place. I put it down as 10.30pm for the calculations of the hourly rate for you, somethings it went beyond 10.30pm) minus 1/2 hour lunch break = 15 hours (approximately).
              Declaration Vote Officer get pay higher than polling Assistant. Polling Assistant manly issue ballet paper, manages queues, monitor ballot boxes.
              Please note Not necessary you will get Declaration Vote Issuing role.
              Google AEC website for more details!

              • brendanm on 06/04/2025 - 19:35

                @Purple: $43 an hour for casual work is a bit grim. I'm not interested in the job, just curious how much it paid.

  • tenpercent on 05/04/2025 - 09:18
    +2

    I have noticed that a certain kind of person tries to only hire people who are also the same certain kind of person.

    I have noticed it at grocery shops and other workplaces in my neighbourhood in the last 3 years, as more of this certain kind of person move into the area, athough there are still far more people of several other different kinds in the area so it doesn't make sense that almost all the employees at the grocery shop are suddenly this newer certain kind.

    You can find Reddit posts where this certain kind of person brags about the fact they deliberately only hire people who are of the same certain kind as soon as they reach a position that gives them influence over hiring decisions, and they brag about their prowess at being able to skirt around laws that are designed to prevent this kind of employment discrimination.

    If you attend your local polling places you may notice this phenomenon has begun (although perhaps not to the extent of my local grocery shop, yet) and if so expect it to only get worse for subsequent elections.

    • Foggy Fluoride Stare on 05/04/2025 - 09:51
      +1

      I noticed this during my visits to the suburbs lately.

      Traditionally East asian areas are now predominantly South asian employees. It isn't even DEI. It's something else totally different.

      I believe it is some type of paid immigration fraud whereby the employer gets a kickback in return for permanent residency. This has been going on for years but it seems to have ramped up lately since the clampdown on students from India…

      Like I mentioned in other threads and comments, people are still migrating through "legal / grey area legalised channels", and regardless of restrictions on migration that is spouted in the media; people are still coming here on mass and are getting through because they appeal successfully at the AAT. They always were entitled to enter the country, they are just using a different method these days.

      As an Aussie, I visit Hurstville, Burwood, Eastwood, Campsie; I go there expecting some East Asian culture but it is quite the opposite of what I expect these days.

      I am not saying they shouldn't be there, but the whole immigration backclash has created another problem whereby the migrants that they didn't want to come are still coming but through other channels. Ultimately, it destroys the multicultural society because those areas of traditional multiculturalism no longer provide the same experience to your typical visiting Aussie.

      Previously I would have to go to Harris Park to find some good Indian experiences, luckily we don't have to travel that far anymore.

    • mskeggs on 05/04/2025 - 10:07
      +1

      I love this comment, it lets anybody apply their own bigotry without filter!
      Is it the woke, or the DEI or feminist “certain kind of people”? Or Indians, as FFS has speculated? Maybe indigenous, or Muslims? Who can say? Traditionally, it has been white men who went to the right schools, but with a vague enough comment it could be left handers or brunettes or the mono-lingual. A true blank slate for prejudice.

      • GordonD on 05/04/2025 - 11:28
        -2

        I love this comment, it lets anybody apply their own bigotry without filter!

        And that's the way discrimination actually works.

        Some people push the idea that the only people who discriminate in favour of people like them are white men. But the reality is that every group does it, including white men. People prefer to watch and read media outlets that express views that don't conflict with their own. They watch TV programs about people like them. They join internet chat groups with people like them, and they turn into echo chambers of a limited range of views. They prefer people like them around them in their social life and workplace. They believe people like them, and are more likely to distrust or disbelieve people who aren't - women believe women's accusations, men believe the male accused's denials.

        That's life.

      • Crow K on 16/04/2025 - 16:18
        -1

        "I'm not saying there's something wrong with a certain sort of person but.."

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 05/04/2025 - 10:23

    I'm first nations polling officer. I received an offer on Wednesday.

  • Seraphin7 on 05/04/2025 - 10:35
    +1

    Most of this is a reasonable complaint, but then …

    That's like 25 minutes away.

    I'm not sure about you, but I haven't had my place of employment within 25 minutes of my place since I was a teenager. Will this be enough for you to turn down the opportunity?

    • Sydneyswans on 05/04/2025 - 10:48
      +1

      no it wont but in terms of elections I have always worked in my council area until this years election. All because they didn't allocate me because they missed me in the initial round of offers.

  • Aldonis on 05/04/2025 - 10:45
    +1

    I've only done it once but it was in no way worth 12 hours of my time on a Saturday for what the entry level position paid

    • brad1-8tsi on 05/04/2025 - 18:39

      Only 12 hours? The last one I did we started at 7.00 and finished at 1.00am. The booth manager didn't have a clue.

  • Hvrd on 05/04/2025 - 12:01
    +1

    last election they were begging for more people

    • tenpercent on 05/04/2025 - 13:17
      -1

      last election they were begging for more people

      Like NSW hospitals were begging for nurses after letting go ~1000 of them?

      • Baysew on 05/04/2025 - 13:22
        -1

        The 995 people, or 0.6 per cent of the workforce, are a mix of clinical and non-clinical workers, with some coming from the department’s corporate staff.

        Not all health workers are nurses.

        • tenpercent on 05/04/2025 - 13:24
          -4

          The point ———> .
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          Your focus ———>

          • Baysew on 05/04/2025 - 13:29
            +2

            @tenpercent: If you are trying to make a point, why not be accurate.

            • tenpercent on 05/04/2025 - 13:35
              -2

              @Baysew: The following comment communicates the same thing as this comment but has been made simpler for younger and lower IQ readers:

              At the last federal election, the AEC discriminated against a large number of previous and prospective polling day workers. So it was no surprise they were "begging for more people".

  • doctordv8 on 05/04/2025 - 15:47
    -4

    Worked one of these 40 yrs ago.

    I still remember the FREE PIZZAS - definitely OzBargain style.

    Oh, got paid a bit too….ok, typical Government…Bucket Loads …like all other overpaid government jobs.

    • doctordv8 on 15/04/2025 - 20:12

      Might have earned Negs by telling Government workers are all over paid.

  • brad1-8tsi on 05/04/2025 - 18:37
    +1

    My wife applied for election & pre-election work ages back… Crickets.

    I don't bother anymore. The hourly rate is too low.

  • fossilfuel on 06/04/2025 - 16:24

    I got an email in Aug 2024 from the AEC about taking EOIs on the new EmployMe system. I put in my EOI around then and totally forgot about it because they called me a few times in Feb to verify that I'm still interested and my details are up to date. A few days after the election was called, I got an offer.

    I know a few people who put in their EOIs around a month or two ago, all quite experienced but received standby positions.

    • LOTU on 14/04/2025 - 16:38

      This is why they missed out, if you didn't sign up to the new platform they wouldn't have you details to send you an offer.
      I did the police checks a couple of months ago (Feb sounds about right), and have accepted my offer and have face to face training next week.

  • 4Flowers on 06/04/2025 - 20:04

    I got a call asking me what my availability would be like in May and that I would hear back despite ticking all the boxes. To date I haven't heard another thing and the elections are a few weeks away. I assume I didn't get a position.

  • Mr Joker on 16/04/2025 - 00:46

    Hey, does anyone know how much it pays to work at election? I worked in 2022 and was provided a lump sum. But I can see that it's changed now to an hourly rate?

  • OhMaJuck on 02/05/2025 - 16:34
    -1

    I applied a month ago and got an offer the very next day as an Polling Assistance level 2, I got ChatGPT to write me a response to the question

  • Muppet Detector on 02/05/2025 - 17:06

    Already hearing horror stories of people not getting calls like me when they're definitely qualified.

    Horror stories? As in creepy clowns lurking in storm water drains kinda horror?

    • tenpercent on 02/05/2025 - 17:58
      +1

      As in creepy clowns lurking in storm water drains kinda horror?

      Yes.

  • wetsandwich on 03/05/2025 - 18:07

    Never heard back at all about this even though I'm very suitably qualified for everything up to and including team leader.

    At the local polling place, they seemed to have mostly hired doddering oldies who weren't really quite sure what was going on or what they were meant to do, so I suppose it's sort of a welfare program in a way as they looked like they'd struggle to scan groceries at Coles, so who knows what will happen to all the votes…

    • stickingly on 06/05/2025 - 16:57

      I also never heard back despite having done counting before. Last time I counted (in the council elections) the average age of people counting that I saw was about 85.

  • AndyRates on 05/05/2025 - 14:13

    what was the pay for the saturday shift?

    • wetsandwich on 05/05/2025 - 17:30

      https://www.aec.gov.au/employment/working-at-elections/files…

      It's all in there but looks like $36ph for the lowest pay grade.

      • AndyRates on 05/05/2025 - 18:17

        $550 day not bad

        • wetsandwich on 06/05/2025 - 18:43

          I actually think it's not that much for what it is. A short term contract (especially a single day) is very inconvenient, not that useful in terms of experience/resume, and is on a weekend so inherently should be +50% over regular weekday pay rates. It's about the same wage as scanning tins of chum at Coles…
          For an 8 hour day, $550 would be a reasonably fair contractor rate. But for 11+ hours where you really can't leave until the job is done and it's quite high responsibility/importance, no way.

          For reference, I used to work in a fairly basic call center job that was mostly staffed by old grannies with no skills, and I got about $38 on a saturday, or $45+ on a Sunday, and I didn't have to work dawn till dusk to get that pay rate. I basically played games on my phone and took a call every 15 minutes. And that was about 6 years ago so would be much higher rates now.

          Sure, I applied for these election jobs and would have done it, but it's not exactly spectacular compensation.

          The positions seem to go to mostly pensioners or the local terminally unemployed and slightly crazy neighbour we all have, so for them maybe it's good, but for a working professional it's a normal day's rate give or take the massive inconvenience of a very long and exhausting weekend for essentially minimum wage.

  • OhMaJuck on 06/05/2025 - 10:21

    I worked from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m., totaling 16.5 hours, plus a 30-minute lunch break and two 10-minute team breaks. It was a long shift—nothing physically demanding, but mentally challenging.

    The person in charge did not fully understand the manual and struggled with the closing.

    • Purple on 06/05/2025 - 10:44

      You should also have another 30 mins dinner break. My understanding is you cannot work pass 10.30pm with the new regulations.

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