Percentage of identified APS staff that undertake specific corporate and APS training relevant to their role

Source

AEC Learning Management System.

Method & frequency

Training completion data.

Target

≥ 95%

Result

Met

Percentage of identified APS and TEW staff that complete election training relevant to their role

Source

AEC Learning Management System.

Method & frequency

Training completion data.

Target

≥ 95%

Result

Met

Explanation of result: Mandatory corporate learning was completed by 97% of identified AEC APS employees. A further 99% of the AEC’s temporary election workforce who were required to undertake election-specific training for the Eden-Monaro by-election, completed this successfully. Training was completed by 100% of the AEC’s temporary election workforce for the Groom by-election.

Attract and recruit an AEC temporary election workforce for each electoral event to deliver key polling and election activities

Source

AEC Employ, Train and Pay system.

Method &

frequency

Analysis of workforce data.

Target

Election workforce in place to support key polling and election activities (pre-polling, polling day and the post-election count).

Result

Met

Explanation of result: The AEC held two electoral events in the divisions of Eden-Monaro and Groom during the year. In both events, over 90% of positions were filled according to the agreed establishment.

In preparation for the next federal general election, the sourcing and engagement matrix for the temporary election workforce is being implemented across the agency. This informs recruitment methods and timing, and operational workforce planning. Polling place employee allocations were also reviewed.

Increase agency-level governance maturity in the areas of risk management, protective security, privacy and information management

Source

AEC strategies, surveys and plans including the:

• Comcover Risk Management Benchmarking survey
• National Archives of Australia’s ‘Check-up PLUS’ survey and reports
• Protective Security Policy Framework
• AEC Privacy Management Plan.

Method &

frequency

Survey benchmarking using Commonwealth frameworks and agency maturity assessments for risk, protective security and information management, privacy management planning against specific, measurable privacy goals and targets.

Target

Increase or maintain maturity against identified Commonwealth surveys or plans.

Result

Partly met

Explanation of result: The AEC has continued to mature its risk management, protective security, privacy and information management.

Our risk management maturity is assessed through the Comcover Risk Management Benchmarking Program, with an overall rating of ‘embedded’, which is above average. The AEC delivered awareness and training to employees and strengthened use of its new risk management system.

We managed the personal information of 16.9 million Australian electors. The AEC’s Privacy Management Plan documents our approach in line with the Australian Privacy Principles. In 2020–21 we implemented procedural changes and conducted a privacy information campaign across the agency. These initiatives aimed to increase privacy awareness and improve responses to breaches.

We protected our people, information and assets in line with the Protective Security Policy Framework. We promoted a stronger security culture through corporate messaging and awareness.

Our information management maturity has improved, as assessed annually against the National Archives of Australia’s Digital Continuity 2020 policy, using the Check-up PLUS survey. In the past year, we successfully implemented an upgrade to the electronic records management system and improved the associated user guides and training to employees. We also continued to reduce paper-based practices and introduce more digital based processes to employees including mail and enrolment scanning.

Maintain AEC’s average staffing levels

Source

AEC Portfolio Budget Statements, annual financial statements and AEC finance and HR reports.

Method &

frequency

Performance against defined Commonwealth Government measures.

Target

Average staffing levels target met annually.

Result

Met

Explanation of result: We met our average staffing level (ASL) target, with actual ASL at 678 in 2020–21, below our ASL cap of 791. This is aligned to the AEC's planning for year 2 of the election cycle. However, our ability to recruit employees has also been influenced by COVID-19 and a tight employment market.

Progress the modernisation of the AEC’s core election and roll management systems

Source

Program documentation and reporting.

Method & frequency

Governance reporting mechanisms as guided by program structure and documentation.

Target

Meet the key program milestones associated with the procurement, delivery, execution and de-commissioning of these systems.

Result

Partly met

Explanation of result: Following the announcement of funding in October 2020, the AEC commenced the first tranche of its Indigo program. The AEC has met key milestones, including formalising the new operating model and foundational program artefacts, such as project plans and technical requirements. Additional priorities include scoping cyber security needs and designing the future state for the AEC. At 30 June 2021, there have been delays with the procurement process. Overall, the AEC is on track to implement and manage key milestones across the three-year program.

The AEC maintains an up-to-date public register of political parties.

Met

See Key activity 1

We regulate the funding and disclosure scheme, ensuring disclosure returns are published and regulated in accordance with timeframes.

Met

See Key activity 1

We undertake regular compliance reviews examining a sample of disclosure returns and use a risk-based approach to compliance. The outcomes of compliance activity are published at www.aec.gov.au

Met

See Key activity 1

We administer the funding and disclosure scheme, political party registrations and electoral authorisations. We provide guidance and information to ensure stakeholders are aware of the need to comply with electoral legislation as well as the ‘how-to’.

Met

Under the Electoral Act, the funding and disclosure scheme establishes transparency around political donations. The electoral authorisations scheme requires electoral participants to be transparent to voters with the electoral communications they make.

Guidance and information are provided to stakeholders at www.aec.gov.au, and through our public enquiry line and a dedicated phone number for funding and disclosure matters.

Stakeholders with disclosure obligations under the Electoral Act are also provided with written reminders of those obligations at appropriate times.

Also see Key activity 1.

We apply a risk-based proportionate response in addressing multiple voting and non-voter prosecutions, and in administering electoral communications requirements.

Met

A risk-based approach is taken to address multiple voting and non-voter prosecutions, and in administrating the funding and disclosure, and electoral communication requirements.

Where necessary the AEC provides notices and warnings to regulated individuals and entities to inform them of their obligations.

We continue to improve our risk management maturity to build organisational capability. We are also maturing and embedding our lessons management approach and capability.

Met

See Key activity 1 and 4.

We manage feedback and complaints in line with the AEC complaints management policy and seek improvements in administration when relevant.

Met

Our service charter outlines the agency’s role and purpose, and the services the public can expect to receive. The AEC manages complaints in line with AEC Complaints Management Policy.