A referendum is a national vote on a question about a proposed change to the Constitution. It is a vote of the Australian people on a proposed change to the Australian Constitution. The referendum process can happen after Parliament passes a Bill containing the proposed change to the Constitution. The steps that need to be taken before the Australian Constitution can be changed include passing a Bill through both houses of Parliament, and then holding a referendum. If the referendum is approved by a double majority of Australian voters, this is the final step in approving the Bill setting out the changes to the Constitution that was passed by federal Parliament. If the referendum is not passed by a double majority of Australian voters, the Bill previously passed by Parliament setting out the proposed changes to the Constitution is not approved and can’t be presented to the Governor-General for assent.
Voting in a referendum is compulsory for Australian citizens 18 years and over. Polling places are set up at schools and other public buildings around the country. When they vote, each person’s name is marked off the electoral roll and they are given a ballot paper. Voters write on their ballot paper either yes or no - in full - in the box provided on the ballot paper.
