The Australian Electoral Commission has released its official report on the 2025 federal election today – Wednesday 1 October 2025.
The report outlines how the AEC delivered Australia's biggest and most accessible election to date, with record enrolment, increased voter turnout and more than 19 million ballot papers counted on election night.
Acting Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope said the report marks a high point in the AEC's decade of reform and highlights how the AEC safeguards trust in the electoral system and supports citizens to participate in democracy.
"The AEC is proud to have delivered a trusted, secure and accessible election. The Australian public, candidates and the Parliament can have full confidence in the electoral process and results. We honour the trust Australians place in us and the high levels of satisfaction they have in our services," Mr Pope said.
Delivering the election required the rapid procurement of over 7,000 venues for polling places as well as the recruitment of 100,000 temporary staff - the largest short-term workforce in the country. Staff undertook face-to-face training and many are dedicated Australians who have worked on several elections, and the AEC relies on their commitment, experience and willingness to get the job done. We thank them for their outstanding contribution to election.
The report also highlights the growing complexity of the count. While 11 seats were decided on first preferences, 88 of the 150 House of Representatives electorates required a full distribution of preferences before results could be declared - a significant increase compared to 2022 (76 electorates) and 2019 (34 electorates).
"This emerging trend reinforces the importance of waiting for the AEC to formally declare results, which we can only do when the outcome is mathematically certain and in accordance with the Commonwealth Electoral Act." Mr Pope said.
The AEC will continue to refine and improve its processes to ensure elections remain trusted, transparent and accessible to all Australians.
