PROPOSED Redistribution of Federal Electoral DIVISIONS IN
the Australian Capital territory: 13 March 2026
The Redistribution Committee for the Australian Capital Territory (the Redistribution Committee) has made a proposed redistribution of federal electorates in the Australian Capital Territory.
Members of the public and organisations are invited to inspect:
- the Redistribution Committee’s proposed report showing reasons for the redistribution,
- maps showing the names and boundaries of each proposed electorate, and
- suggestions and comments on suggestions previously lodged with the Redistribution Committee.
The Redistribution Committee’s report and maps of the proposed redistribution are available on the AEC website (www.aec.gov.au/act-redistribution).
From Friday 13 March 2026, objections (ideas on the proposed redistribution) and comments on objections (feedback on ideas) to the proposed redistribution can be received.
WHY IS A REDISTRIBUTION BEING CONDUCTED?
On 12 August 2025, in accordance with section 59 of the Electoral Act, the Electoral Commission directed that a redistribution commence because more than seven years had elapsed since the last redistribution.
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR A REDISTRIBUTION
In making its proposed redistribution, the Redistribution Committee was bound by section 66 of the Electoral Act.
The number of electors in each proposed electorate must not deviate by more than 10 per cent above or below the redistribution quota. The redistribution quota for the Australian Capital Territory was determined by the Electoral Commissioner to be 107,293 as at 12 August 2025.
As far as practicable, the Redistribution Committee must ensure that the number of electors enrolled in each electorate at 8 April 2030 (the projection time) will not deviate by more than 3.5 per cent above or below the projected enrolment quota of 114,842 electors.
Section 66 of the Electoral Act also provides that the Redistribution Committee:
‘give due consideration, in relation to each proposed Electoral Division, to:
(i) community of interests within the proposed Electoral Division, including economic, social and regional interests;
- means of communication and travel within the proposed Electoral Division;
(iv) the physical features and area of the proposed Electoral Division; and
(v) the boundaries of existing Divisions in the State or Territory’.
Consideration of existing boundaries is subordinate to the other factors set out above.
Under section 56AA of the Electoral Act, until such time as Norfolk Island is entitled to a member of the House of Representatives, it is to be included in an electoral division in the ACT. Where there is more than one electoral division in the ACT, the Electoral Act requires that Norfolk Island be in a different electoral division to the Jervis Bay Territory.
THE PROPOSED FEDERAL ELECTORAL DIVISIONS
The Redistribution Committee has proposed changing the boundaries of all the Australian Capital Territory’s 3 federal electorates.
As a result of the proposed redistribution, 31,778 electors enrolled in the Australian Capital Territory (or 9.87 per cent of all electors enrolled in the Australian Capital Territory on 12 August 2025) will change their federal electorate.
The Redistribution Committee proposes retaining the names of the 3 electorates in the Australian Capital Territory, but encourages interested members of the public to suggest changes to names for the augmented Electoral Commission to consider during the next stage of the redistribution.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Any interested person or organisation who wishes to make an objection (idea on the proposed redistribution) to the redistribution has until 6pm (AEST) Friday 10 April 2026 to lodge a written objection (idea). Information on how to make a submission is below.
Objections (ideas on the proposed redistribution) received will be published on the AEC website (www.aec.gov.au/act-redistribution) on or before Monday 13 April 2026.
Written comments on the objections (feedback on ideas) must be lodged in writing with the AEC by 6pm (AEST) Friday 24 April 2026.
The comments on objections (feedback on ideas) will be published on the AEC website (www.aec.gov.au/act-redistribution) on or before Monday 27 April 2026.
The augmented Electoral Commission for the Australian Capital Territory will consider the Redistribution Committee’s proposal and public submissions to inform the final electorate boundaries and names for the Australian Capital Territory.
HOW TO MAKE A SUBMISSION
To make a submission, and for further information about the redistribution, visit the AEC website (www.aec.gov.au/act-redistribution), including the ‘Have your say’ page.
Submissions may also be submitted by:
- email: FedRedistribution-act@aec.gov.au
- mail: Australian Capital Territory Redistribution, Australian Electoral Commission, Locked Bag 4007, CANBERRA ACT 2601
- in person: 10 Mort Street, Canberra ACT 2601
The AEC must receive submissions by the relevant closing time. Submissions received after the prescribed lodgement time cannot be considered.
Public availability of SUBMISSIONS
The Electoral Act requires that submissions to the redistribution be made publicly available. Copies of all submissions will be made available in full on the AEC website.
Please note that while the names of persons and organisations that lodge written submissions will be published, signatures and personal details (including email and phone numbers) will be removed prior to any publication.
Mr Jeff Pope APM | Ms Melanie Hinde | Mr Greg Ledwidge | Mr Ajay Sharma FCA PSM |
Electoral Commissioner | Staff member of the Australian Electoral Commission | Surveyor-General of the Australian Capital Territory | Auditor-General of the Australian Capital Territory |