Skip navigation

What is a referendum?

Answer

A referendum is the only way to change the Australian Constitution. It is compulsory to vote in a referendum, similar to a federal election. They are formed in the question “Do you approve this proposed alteration?” to which voters write either a “yes” or “no” answer.

Firstly, a proposal to change the Constitution must be introduced as a bill in the House of Representatives. It must pass both houses of Parliament before being put to the Australian people for a vote.

For a referendum to pass the vote, a double majority is needed. This is; a majority of voters in all of Australia, and a majority of voters in a majority of the states (i.e. at least four out of six states). The two Territories are not included in this second factor, only towards the national majority.

This is a very hard benchmark to meet. Since Australia was formed in 1901, there have been 45 referendums proposing constitutional change. Only 8 of these passed.

For a good infographic explaining the double majority, see this infographic from the AEC’s website: https://www.aec.gov.au/elections/referendums/files/double-majority-fact-sheet.pdf