National Electoral Education Centre
National Electoral Education Centre
Experience Australia’s federal electoral system and the power of Australia’s democracy at the recently renovated National Electoral Education Centre by the Australian Electoral Commission.
Located in the heart of Canberra's parliamentary triangle, the National Electoral Education Centre is a must-see destination for Civics and Citizenship education. The centre is open weekdays throughout the school year and programs are free (bookings are essential).
Using experiential learning to engage and inform, one of the AEC's electoral experts will guide your school group through a 90-minute program. Students will:
- explore the history of democracy and voting in Australia
- meet DemocraBot and be immersed in DemocraCity, our brand new interactive virtual world, to learn about representation, enrolment, and voting
- experience the electoral process in action by running their own election in a dedicated polling place. Students will vote, count the votes, and declare the election result, while taking on the roles of voters, ballot box guards, scrutineers and polling officials!
The NEEC offers education programs for primary, secondary and adult groups, and all of our programs are aligned to the Australian Curriculum. Highly skilled Electoral Educators deliver all of our sessions and will tailor your session content to your school.
Important information
Bookings
The NEEC is open Monday to Friday, and is closed for all ACT public holidays.
All sessions are 90 minutes duration and commence at half hourly intervals from 8am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. Sessions are free-of-charge.
Bookings are essential and group sizes are strictly limited.
Please read the NEEC’s group size and booking policy before booking. A minimum of 2 adult supervisors (in addition to NEEC staff) are required for each session at the NEEC, consistent with the AEC’s Child Safety Policy.
Schools also visiting the Museum of Australian Democracy are recommended to allow 30 minutes between programs at either institution.
On the day
Access to the NEEC is found at the right-hand side of Old Parliament House, opposite the Senate Rose Gardens.
A minimum of 2 adult supervisors are required for each session at the NEEC.
Teachers remain responsible for their students during their visit. It is a requirement of the NEEC that teachers remain with their students at all times. Failure to do so may result in the session being cancelled and the school asked to leave.
Storage is limited, please leave all bags on the bus.
For more information including the NEEC’s group size and booking policy, child safety policy, Certificate of Currency, and risk management plan visit the AEC for Schools website.
Can’t make it to Canberra?
The Australian Electoral Commission makes available a range of free educational resources for teachers and students including materials for conducting school elections and accredited professional learning resources for teachers on the AEC for Schools website.
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday 8AM-6PM
Programs Available
House of Representatives - Primary Students
Our most popular program! Explore the key concepts of representation, enrolment and voting, and investigate how people are elected to the House of Representatives. Experience the preferential voting system in action by participating in a House of Representatives election scenario. Suitable for students of all levels.
A minimum of 2 adult supervisors (in addition to NEEC staff) are required for each session at the NEEC.
Program Information
- Delivery Type:
- In Canberra
- Year Levels:
- Primary
- Availability:
- Weekdays: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
House of Representatives - Secondary
Explore the key concepts of representation, enrolment and voting, and investigate how people are elected to the House of Representatives. Experience the preferential voting system in action by participating in a House of Representatives election scenario. Suitable for students of all levels.
A minimum of 2 adult supervisors (in addition to NEEC staff) are required for each session at the NEEC.
Program Information
- Delivery Type:
- In Canberra
- Year Levels:
- Year 7
- Year 8
- Year 9
- Year 10
- Social Groups
- Availability:
- Weekdays: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Referendum - Primary
Discover Australia’s founding legal document and investigate how the people of Australia can change the Constitution through a Referendum. Experience the referendum process in action by voting in a referendum scenario. Suitable for students of all levels.
A minimum of 2 adult supervisors (in addition to NEEC staff) are required for each session at the NEEC.
Program Information
- Delivery Type:
- In Canberra
- Year Levels:
- Primary
- Availability:
- Weekdays: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Referendum - Secondary
Discover Australia’s founding legal document, and investigate how the people of Australia can change the Constitution through a Referendum. Experience the referendum process in action by voting in a referendum scenario. Suitable for students of all levels.
A minimum of 2 adult supervisors (in addition to NEEC staff) are required for each session at the NEEC.
Program Information
- Delivery Type:
- In Canberra
- Year Levels:
- Year 7
- Year 8
- Year 9
- Year 10
- Tertiary
- Social Groups
- Availability:
- Weekdays: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Senate - Primary students
Explore the key concepts of representation, enrolment and voting, and investigate the proportional system used to elect Senators, including voting in a Senate election scenario. Perfect for schools who have already covered the basics of preferential voting and the House of Representatives. Suitable for students of all levels.
A minimum of 2 adult supervisors (in addition to NEEC staff) are required for each session at the NEEC.
Program Information
- Delivery Type:
- In Canberra
- Year Levels:
- Primary
- Availability:
- Weekdays: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Senate - Secondary students
Explore the key concepts of representation, enrolment and voting, and investigate the proportional system used to elect Senators, including voting in a Senate election scenario. Perfect for schools who have already covered the basics of preferential voting and the House of Representatives. Suitable for students of all levels.
A minimum of 2 adult supervisors (in addition to NEEC staff) are required for each session at the NEEC.
Program Information
- Delivery Type:
- In Canberra
- Year Levels:
- Year 7
- Year 8
- Year 9
- Year 10
- Tertiary
- Social Groups
- Availability:
- Weekdays: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Youth Eligible Elector
Equips senior secondary students with the skills they need to become voters, exploring representation and voting for both the House of Representatives and the Senate, including voting for both houses. Suitable for senior secondary students.
A minimum of 2 adult supervisors (in addition to NEEC staff) are required for each session at the NEEC.
Program Information
- Delivery Type:
- In Canberra
- Year Levels:
- Secondary
- Tertiary
- Social Groups
- Availability:
- Weekdays: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm