Voice referendum Tasmania: How you can cash in by working for AEC, which still needs 500 staff

The AEC still needs to hire hundreds of Tasmanians for next month’s Voice referendum as 100,000 nationwide are set to work. No experience necessary – here’s how you get involved.

The Australian Electoral Commission needs 500 more Tasmanians to put their hands up to work the Voice to Parliament referendum next month. Picture: Irene Dowdy

The Australian Electoral Commission has put the call out for hundreds of Tasmanians to earn up to $52/hour by helping to deliver the upcoming Voice referendum, the nation’s first in 24 years.

Next month, the commission will become one of Australia’s largest employers, filling approximately 100,000 roles available countrywide, including 3200 in Tasmania.

While the majority of positions are filled, the commission says it still needs approximately 500 Tasmanians to still put their hand up to work.

Suburbs and towns they are particularly looking to hire from include Westerway, Midway Point, King Island, Zeehan, Queenstown, Tullah, Rosebery, Strahan, Norwood and Waverley.

“There are a few specific areas where we urgently need people to register their interest to work,” said AEC director Hannah Brown, who oversees Tasmanian operations.

“If we can’t recruit people locally, we’re hoping people from neighbouring towns may consider travelling a short distance to help give all Tasmanian communities the opportunity to vote locally.”

Australian Electoral Commission director Hannah Brown, who is in charge of Tasmanian polling. Picture: Supplied

Shifts range from a single day’s work right up to several weeks. On the day of the referendum, shifts may be up to 16 hours in length.

Employees earn an hourly wage of between approximately $27–$52/hour, depending on role and responsibility

“It can be a long day but a good opportunity to earn extra money for one day’s work,” Ms Brown said.

“This is a chance for people to earn some extra money, help deliver the vote for the community and be a part of the first referendum this century.

Follow @humidityreport

Positions that need filling include pre-polling officers and managers, polling place officers, managers, and bilingual and First Nations assistants, scrutiny assistants, vote counters and sorters, and mobile officers and managers for aged care and other facilities.

The commission was looking for staff who are good with people, have an eye for detail and, most importantly, are political and issue neutral, Ms Brown said.

“No previous election work experience is necessary and full training is provided. You do need to be able to take an impartial and neutral approach to your work,” she said.

“In keeping with the AEC’s commitment to integrity, it’s absolutely essential that people working on the referendum are able to remain impartial on the issue.”

Registrations to work are currently open on the commission’s website.

The Voice referendum will be held on Saturday, October 14.

Early voting centres in Tasmania open on October 2. Postal vote applications are open until October 11, and must be received by the commission by no later than October 27.