Curriculum links
All programs are conducted by an experienced Electoral Educator and provide curriculum links to units on Democracy, Civics and Citizenship and courses in Australian Studies, Politics and Legal Studies.
Programs
The NEEC offers a range of programs designed to suit various ages and interests. You can choose from:
House of Representatives – This program explores key concepts of representation and voting. Experience the preferential voting system in action by participating in a House of Representatives election scenario. Suitable for all age groups.
Referendum – The Constitution is Australia’s founding legal document and only the people of Australia have the power to change it. Discover how the Constitution is changed by voting in a referendum scenario and counting the votes. Suitable for all age groups.
Senate – If you have already covered the basics of preferential voting and the House of Representatives, why not practice voting in a Senate election and investigate the proportional system used to elect Senators? Suitable for secondary, tertiary and adults. Also suitable for late primary students who have already covered the House of Representatives in class.
Eligible Elector – specifically designed for young people / adults who are soon to be (or are already) eligible voters. This program explores the concept of representation in both the Senate and House of Representatives. Participants will experience voting and scrutiny in both houses of government. Suitable for senior secondary, tertiary and adult groups.
Bookings
All sessions are of 90 minutes duration and commence at half hourly intervals from 8am to 4:30pm (Mon-Fri).
Sessions are free-of-charge.
To make a booking at the National Electoral Education Centre please go to Book Canberra Excursions.
Students with specific physical, accessibility or learning needs should be identified at the time of your booking to ensure an equitable learning experience for all. A social narrative resource is available.
All programs must be booked and confirmed on Book Canberra Excursions at least two weeks prior to the booking date. Failure to confirm a bookings may result in programs being cancelled.
Extension Opportunities – Get Voting
Continue your democratic journey with everything you need to run a free and fair election for your class or school. Get Voting provides step by step resources and instructions to run a complete preferential election in your class or school. Resources (including ballot boxes, security seals, posters to advertise the election and badges) are free to order and will be posted to your school. Check out Get Voting on our website.
On the Day
Student numbers must not exceed capacity (45 students max per primary program, 40 per secondary program). Larger groups should book multiple sessions to ensure all participants are able to take part.
Photos are permitted with one strict exception, advised during the program.
Access to the NEEC is found at the right hand side of the building, opposite the Senate Rose Gardens. (see map above)
Schools also visiting the Museum of Australian Democracy are recommended to allow 30 minutes between programs at either institution.
A teacher is to accompany students at all times. Leaving a group unsupervised will result in the program being terminated.
Storage is limited, please leave bags on the bus.
For more information, teacher resources , Certificate of Currency, Risk management plan visit our website https://education.aec.gov.au/.