Commonwealth Franchise Act 1902

Commonwealth Franchise Act 1902
Parliament of Australia
  • An Act to provide for a Uniform Federal Franchise
CitationNo. 8 of 1902
Territorial extentStates and territories of Australia
Royal assent12 June 1902
Introduced bySenator Hon Richard O'Connor (Prot)
Amended by
1905, 1906, 1909, 1911
Repealed by
Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918
Status: Repealed

The Commonwealth Franchise Act 1902 (Cth) was an Act of the Parliament of Australia which set out who was entitled to vote in Australian federal elections. The Act established, in time for the 1903 Australian federal election, suffrage for federal elections for those who were British subjects over 21 years of age who had lived in Australia for six months. The Act excluded natives of Australia, Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands (other than New Zealand) from the federal franchise, unless they were already enrolled to vote in an Australian state. The Act gave Australian women the right to vote and stand for parliament at the federal level unless they fell into one of the categories of people excluded from the franchise.

The Act was repealed and replaced by the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918.