The Electoral Act recognises the AEC as an independent agency. A range of legislation underpins AEC business processes, purpose, values and leadership.

Table 1: Legislative framework

Legislative instrument	AEC function
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005	Conduct Torres Strait Regional Authority elections
Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918	Conduct federal elections
	Maintain and update the Commonwealth electoral roll
	Promote public awareness of electoral and parliamentary matters through information and education programs
	Provide international electoral assistance in cases approved by the Minister for Foreign Affairs
	Conduct and promote research into electoral matters and other matters that relate to AEC functions
	Register political parties
	Pay public funding to election candidates and parties, and publish financial disclosure returns of political parties and others
	Determine representation entitlements (redistributions)
Electoral and Referendum Regulations 1940	Conduct federal elections and referendums and provide voter information
Fair Work Act 2009	Conduct protected action ballots
Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009	Conduct industrial elections
Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997	Manage public money and property
Freedom of Information Act 1982	Hold and release documents
Privacy Act 1988	Store, use and disclose personal information
Public Service Act 1999	Ensure the effective and fair employment, management and leadership of AEC employees
Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984	Conduct federal referendums
Representation Act 1983	Set numbers for Senate elections