CPSU is a democratic organisation that holds elections every 4 years.

Our election process is handled by the Australian Electoral Commission, not by the union directly. 

This ensures independence and accountability. 

The AEC ensures the election is run according to the union’s rules.  Our rules are registered under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009.

Who Can Nominate?

Members are entitled to nominate as candidates for a position on our Branch Executive, or for a position from their Branch Council electorate.

There are 5 positions on the Branch Executive. Secretary, Assistant Secretary, President, and two Vice Presidents.

All eligible members will receive a ballot paper to vote on these positions.

The Victorian Branch Council is comprised of the 5 Branch Executive plus 34 representatives from different electorates of the union.

There are 9 electorates, 4 of which are geographically based to provide representation to members in regional Victoria, and 5 of which are for members in based in Metropolitan Melbourne, determined on broad departmental groups.

Each electorate has a number of representatives based on the total membership of that electorate roughly on 1 representative per 1000 members.

These electorates are:

• Electorate 1: Health & Community Services (4 representatives)
• Electorate 2: Resources (3 representatives)
• Electorate 3: Education (2 representatives)
• Electorate 4: Justice (9 representatives)
• Electorate 5: Central Agencies (7 representatives)
• Electorate 6: Barwon/South Western Region (4 representatives)
• Electorate 7: North Western Region (2 representatives)
• Electorate 8: Gippsland Region (2 representatives)
• Electorate 9: North Eastern Region (1 representative)

Ballots for positions only occur where more people nominate for positions than there are positions.

For positions where there are not more nominations than positions, a ballot isn’t held – because there is no need. This is determined by the AEC.

Voting Rights / Who can vote?

All eligible and financial members of CPSU as at the 21st of April 2025 (who remain financial members) are entitled to vote in the union election.

Members who joined after this date are not entitled to vote in this election.

Members who resign or whose membership becomes unfinancial or is terminated after this date will be removed (if practical) from the list of eligible voters.

Retired Officers Division members, and Associate Members, are not considered eligible and so will not receive a ballot.

Information supplied to the AEC and candidates

CPSU has provided the AEC with the name and postal address of all eligible voters. This information is available to candidates from the AEC. Candidates are not entitled to seek information about voters directly from the union office, and the CPSU office does not supply candidates with any voter information.

How & when do we vote?

From the 10th of June, the AEC will send every eligible member a letter containing statements from the relevant candidates and the relevant ballot papers, along with a reply-paid envelope. Depending on the speed of Australia Post you will likely receive the ballot papers sometime between the 10th of June and the 16th of June. The AEC recommend waiting 10 working days for receipt of the ballot, and to request a replacement if you haven't received one by Monday the 23rd of June.

To request a replacement ballot contact the AEC using the details shown below.

The postal ballot closes at 10:00am on the 8th of July. To ensure your vote is counted we recommend posting your ballot back as soon as possible to make allowance for Australia Post's delivery times of 3 to 5 business days.

Contact Information

Ballots will be posted by the AEC in the week of the 10th of June 2025. If your ballot does not arrive, contact the AEC on (03) 9285 7111 or visit https://aec.gov.au/ieb/ where a contact form is available. Our election is referred to by the AEC using the reference number "E2024/15".

CPSU can provide you with information about whether or not you should be on the roll, but cannot post you a ballot or update the information held by the AEC - to get a ballot re-issued or re-posted to a new address you must contact the AEC yourself.