View source for Referendums in Australia

{{Short description|Votes on important public issues in Australia}}
{{use Australian English|date=October 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Direct Democracy}}
In [[Australia]], '''referendums''' (also spelt '''referenda''')<ref>{{Cite web |last=York |first=Barry |date=21 August 2015 |title=Referenda And Plebiscites: What's the Difference? |url=https://www.moadoph.gov.au/explore/stories/democracy/referenda-and-plebiscites-whats-the-difference |access-date= |website=Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House}}</ref> are [[referendum|public votes]] held on important issues where the electorate may approve or reject a certain proposal. In contemporary usage, polls conducted on non-constitutional issues are known as ''plebiscites'', with the term ''referendum'' being reserved solely for votes on constitutional changes, which is [[Chapter VIII of the Constitution of Australia|legally required]] to make a change to the [[Constitution of Australia]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=3 April 2020 |title=Plebiscites |url=https://www.aec.gov.au/Elections/referendums/plebiscites.htm |access-date=2023-10-29 |website=Australian Electoral Commission |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Referendums and Plebiscites |url=https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/having-your-say/elections-and-voting/referendums-and-plebiscites/ |access-date=2023-10-29 |website=Parliamentary Education Office |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Holmes |first=Brenton |date=30 June 2011 |title=A quick guide to plebiscites in Australia |url=https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2011/June/A_quick_guide_to_plebiscites_in_Australia |access-date= |website=Parliament of Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.abc.net.au/antonygreen/2015/08/plebiscite-or-referendum-whats-the-difference.html |title=Plebiscite or Referendum – What's the Difference |author=Antony Green |author-link=Antony Green |date=12 August 2015|publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|access-date=27 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202160941/http://blogs.abc.net.au/antonygreen/2015/08/plebiscite-or-referendum-whats-the-difference.html/ |archive-date=2016-12-02 |url-status=dead}}</ref> 

In the past, however the terms were used interchangeably,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108757304 |title=The referendum |newspaper=[[The Evening News (Sydney)|Evening News]] |date=21 September 1897 |access-date=26 August 2020 |page=4 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article163803818 |title=Government by plebiscite |newspaper=[[The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser]] |date=29 January 1898 |access-date=26 August 2020 |page=217 |via=Trove}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article227144727 |title=The plebiscite or referendum |newspaper=[[The Bendigo Independent]] |date=3 December 1910 |access-date=26 August 2020 |page=4 |via=Trove}}</ref> with the non-constitutional [[1916 Australian conscription referendum]] and the [[2009 Western Australian daylight saving referendum]] being examples.

Voting in a referendum is compulsory for those on the electoral roll, in the same way that it is [[Compulsory voting|compulsory to vote]] in a [[Australian electoral system|general election]]. As of 2023, 45 nationwide referendums have been held, only eight of which have been carried. Of those eight, all but one had bi-partisan support.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Casey |first=Briggs |date=2023-10-29 |title=With the Voice referendum resoundingly defeated, will Australia ever again change the constitution? |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-29/voice-referendum-defeat-will-australia-ever-change-constitution/103018686 |access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Menon |first1=Praveen |last2=Jackson |first2=Lewis |last3=Cole |first3=Wayne |last4=Menon |first4=Praveen |last5=Jackson |first5=Lewis |date=2023-10-14 |title=Australia rejects Indigenous referendum in setback for reconciliation |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/voting-begins-australia-landmark-indigenous-voice-referendum-2023-10-13/ |access-date=2023-10-14}}</ref> Since multiple referendum questions are often asked on the same ballot, there have only been 20 separate occasions that the Australian people have gone to the polls to vote on constitutional amendments—of which 8 have been concurrent with a [[Australian federal election|federal election]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aec.gov.au/Elections/referendums/Referendum_Dates_and_Results.htm|title=Referendum dates and results|publisher=Australian Electoral Commission}}</ref> There have also been three nationwide non-constitutional plebiscites (two on [[Conscription in Australia|conscription]] and one on [[1977 Australian plebiscite (National Song)|the national song]]), and one [[Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey|postal survey]] (on same-sex marriage).

==Federal referendums==
===Constitutional provisions===
{{main|Chapter VIII of the Constitution of Australia}}

Section 128 of the Constitution specifies that alterations to the Constitution cannot be made without a public vote.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite Legislation AU|Cth|act|coaca430|Constitution|128}} Mode of altering the Constitution.</ref> A bill containing the amendment must first be passed by both houses of parliament or, in certain limited circumstances, by only one house of parliament. If the bill has only been passed in one house, the [[Governor-General of Australia|governor-general]] must, under the deadlock provision of section 128, then decide whether or not to submit the referendum to the people. By convention, this is done on the advice of the [[Prime Minister of Australia|prime minister]]. Since the prime minister normally controls the [[Australian House of Representatives|House of Representatives]], the effect of this convention is to make it virtually impossible for a referendum to be put to the people if approved by the [[Australian Senate|Senate]], but not the House.<ref name="saunders partner">{{Cite SSRN |title=The Parliament as Partner: A Century of Constitutional Review |last=Saunders |first=Cheryl |date=2001 |language=en |ssrn=259959}}</ref>

If the bill to alter the Constitution is approved by both houses or satisfies the deadlock provision, the bill is submitted to the electors for approval. The referendum is conducted according to the ''Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984''.<ref>[https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2022C00073 "''Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984''"]</ref> If the bill is approved by an absolute majority of both houses, the Constitution provides that it must be submitted to the electors no less than two months but no later than six months after passage.<ref name="PEO" /> However, this requirement has not always been complied with, with a [[Proposed 2013 Australian constitutional referendum|proposed amendment in 2013]] not proceeding to a vote despite the passage of legislation.<ref name=":0" /> There is no similar time limitation if the bill is approved by one House of the Commonwealth Parliament only.<ref name="saunders partner" />{{Politics of Australia sidebar}}To pass a referendum, the bill must ordinarily achieve a [[double majority]]: a majority of those voting nationwide, as well as separate majorities in a majority of states (i.e., 4 out of 6 states). This provision, which gives the small Australian states effectively a built-in veto, was one of those constitutional provisions accepted in order for the smaller colonies to agree to Federation.<ref name="PEO">{{cite web|title=Referendums and Plebiscites|url=https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/having-your-say/elections-and-voting/referendums-and-plebiscites/|website=Parliamentary Education Office|publisher=Commonwealth of Australia|date=3 July 2020|access-date=16 September 2020}}</ref> In circumstances where a state is significantly affected by a referendum (such as through an alteration of its borders or through a reduction of its representation), a majority of voters in that state must also agree to the change.<ref>{{Cite Legislation AU|Cth|act|coaca430|Constitution|128}} "No alteration diminishing the proportionate representation of any State in either House of the Parliament, or the minimum number of representatives of a State in the House of Representatives, or increasing, diminishing, or otherwise altering the limits of the State, or in any manner affecting the provisions of the Constitution in relation thereto, shall become law unless the majority of the electors voting in that State approve the proposed law".</ref>

When a referendum question is carried, the amending bill is presented for [[royal assent]] by the governor-general.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Bennett |first=Scott |year=2003 |title=The Politics of Constitutional Amendment |url=https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp0203/03rp11 |journal=Research Paper No. 11 2002–03 |publisher=Australian Department of the Parliamentary Library |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317225114/https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp0203/03rp11 |archive-date=17 March 2017 |access-date=2021-10-19}}</ref>

===Territories===
Prior to the [[1977 Australian referendum (Referendums)|1977 referendum]], only electors in the six states could vote at a referendum. Since the 1977 amendment was carried, voters of [[States_and_territories_of_Australia#Territories|the territories]] have been eligible to vote in referendums. Territory votes are now counted towards the national total but the territories do not count as states for the purpose of the requirement for a majority of states.<ref name="Handbook results"/>

===Alteration of states===
[[Section 123 of the Constitution of Australia|Section 123 of the Constitution]] also requires that where the "limits of the State" are proposed to be altered by the relevant state and federal parliaments, the approval of a majority of the electors of that state is also required. It has been argued that this provision is not limited to proposed alterations of state boundaries, but may also extend to the acquisition of land by the Commonwealth under section 51(xxxi).<ref>{{cite journal |last=Brown |first=A. J |year=2007 |title=When does property become territory? Nuclear waste, federal land acquisition and constitutional requirements for state consent |url=https://www8.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/AdelLawRw/2007/7.pdf |journal=Adelaide Law Review |volume=7 |pages=113–138}}</ref>

===Other aspects===
Voting for federal elections and referendums has been compulsory in Australia since 1924.<ref>{{cite web |title=Electoral Backgrounder: Compulsory voting |url=https://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/Publications/backgrounders/compulsory-voting.htm |publisher=Australian Electoral Commission |access-date=14 September 2018}}</ref>

Non-constitutional plebiscites, are conducted by the government to decide a matter relating to ordinary [[statute]] law, an advisory question of policy, or as a prelude to the submission of a formal referendum question, rather than a binding and entrenched alteration (amendment) to the Constitution. Plebiscites can offer a variety of options, rather than a simple yes/no question. Four national plebiscites have been held as of 2017. Unlike in constitutional referendums, voting in previous plebiscites has been optional.<ref>{{cite web |title=Is it compulsory to vote in a plebiscite? |url=https://questions.peo.gov.au/questions/is-it-compulsory-to-vote-in-a-plebiscite/22 |website=Parliamentary Education Office |access-date=14 September 2018}}</ref>

In 1998, the [[Howard government]] amended the ''[[Flags Act 1953]]'' to require a plebiscite to change the [[Flag of Australia]].<ref>{{cite Legislation AU|Cth|num_act|faa1998141|Flags Amendment Act 1998|3}}</ref> There is some debate over whether such legislation is legally enforceable, and a new parliament could simply amend or repeal the legislation at any time.<ref>{{cite Hansard |jurisdiction=Commonwealth of Australia |house=House of Representatives |title=Flags Amendment Bill 1996 |url=http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansardr%2F1996-08-22%2F0038%22 |speaker=Laurie Fergusson |date=22 August 1996 |page=3562}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Evans, S |title=Why is the Constitution Binding? Authority, Obligation and the Role of the People |journal=Adelaide Law Review |year=2004 |url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/AdelLawRw/2004/6.html}} (2004) 25 [[Adelaide Law Review]] 103 at p. 121.</ref>

===Success rate===
Australians have rejected most proposals for constitutional amendments, approving only 8 out of 45 referendums submitted to them since federation. Noting the difficulty of the referendum process, then prime minister [[Robert Menzies]] said in 1951: "The truth of the matter is that to get an affirmative vote from the Australian people on a referendum proposal is one of the [[labours of Hercules]]."<ref>{{cite book|last1=Craig|first1=John|title=Australian Politics: A Source Book|date=1993|publisher=Harcourt Brace|isbn=9780729513272|page=39|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s8QMAAAAYAAJ|language=en}}</ref>

Of forty-five referendums, there have been five instances – in [[1937 Australian referendum (Aviation)|1937]], twice in [[1946 Australian referendum|1946]], and once each in [[1977 Australian referendum (Simultaneous Elections)|1977]] and [[1984 Australian referendum (Terms of Senators)|1984]] – where a national ''Yes'' vote has been achieved but failed to win a majority of states. In three of these instances, the referendum received a majority in three states. The converse situation, where there is a majority of states but not an overall majority, has not yet occurred.<ref name="Handbook results">Handbook of the 44th Parliament (2014) {{cite web |url=https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22handbook%2Fnewhandbook%2F2014-10-31%2F0048%22 |title=Part 5 - Referendums and Plebiscites - Constitutional referendums |publisher=[[Parliamentary Library of Australia]]}}</ref>

Apart from [[1937 Australian referendum (Aviation)|1937]], in which Victoria and Queensland were the only two states in favour, only these cases have followed a consistent pattern: a ''Yes'' vote in the two most populous states, New South Wales and Victoria, and a ''No'' vote in most or all of the other states. The rejection of these referendums was due to the less populous states voting contrary to the most populous states.<ref name="Handbook results"/>

A contributing factor to the predominance of the ''No'' vote comes from the unwillingness of the Australian voters to extend the powers of the federal government. Although none of the votes was over additional powers over commerce and industry granted to the government, at least two successful referendums can be characterised as giving the Commonwealth more powers: in 1946, the Commonwealth was given power to make laws with respect to a range of health and welfare services; and in 1967, the Commonwealth was given a power to make laws with respect to [[Indigenous Australians]]. The government hoped that support for this amendment would encourage electors to vote yes for the second referendum submitted at the same time, which would have abolished the nexus between the numbers of members in each House.<ref>{{cite web|title=The 1967 Referendum—history and myths|url=http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/library/prspub/JTZM6/upload_binary/jtzm62.pdf|publisher=Parliamentary Library|access-date=17 February 2018|pages=8|date=2 May 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Cabinet decision, 1967|url=http://indigenousrights.net.au/civil_rights/the_referendum,_1957-67/cabinet_decision,_1967|website=Collaborating for Indigenous Rights|access-date=17 February 2018}}</ref> However, this second law was not approved by the electors.<ref name="Handbook results"/>

==List of referendums and plebiscites==
Each question asked electors to answer "Yes" or "No", except for the national song plebiscite where electors were asked to choose between four songs.<ref name="Handbook plebiscites">Handbook of the 44th Parliament (2014) {{cite web |url=https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22handbook%2Fnewhandbook%2F2014-10-31%2F0050%22 |title=Part 5 - Referendums and Plebiscites - Plebiscite results |publisher=[[Parliamentary Library of Australia]]}}</ref>

Additionally, legislation authorising [[Proposed 2013 Australian constitutional referendum|a referendum to allow the federal government to directly fund local councils]] passed in 2013, however the government decided not to proceed with a vote.<ref name=":0">{{cite journal |last1=Brown |first1=JA |last2=Kildea |first2=Paul |date=2016 |title=The Referendum that Wasn't: Constitutional Recognition of Local Government and the Australian Federal Reform Dilemma |url=https://research-repository.griffith.edu.au/bitstream/handle/10072/101051/KildeaPUB2907.pdf |journal=Federal Law Review|volume=44 |pages=143–166 |doi=10.1177/0067205X1604400106 |hdl=10072/101051 |s2cid=157713287 }}</ref>

===Results of referendums===
<!-- Use the `yes` and `no` templates for referendum results, whether a majority of states assented, and assent results for each state. Use `style="background: #CFC; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center"` and `backgroun: #FDD;` for states and territories which contribute to the national vote but NOT to the requirement for a majority in a majority of states. -->
<!-- Feel free to add interesting facts to the table notes -->
<!-- Update the table notes after each further referendum. Table notes last updated September 2023 -->
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+<ref name="Handbook">Handbook of the 44th Parliament (2014) {{cite web |url=http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22handbook%2Fnewhandbook%2F2014-10-31%2F0049%22 |title=Part 5 – Referendums and Plebiscites – Referendum results |publisher=[[Parliamentary Library of Australia]] }}.</ref>
|-
! align="left" | Year
! align="right" | No.
! align="left" | Name
! National voters
! States
! algin="center" | [[New South Wales|NSW]]
! align="center" | [[Victoria (state)|VIC]]
! align="center" | [[Queensland|QLD]]{{efn|[[Queensland]] is the easiest state to gain majority assent in, with residents assenting to 29 constitutional amendments (the mean state assents to 17 amendments).}}
! align="center" | [[South Australia|SA]]
! align="center" | [[Western Australia|WA]]
! align="center" | [[Tasmania|TAS]]{{efn|[[Tasmania]] is the hardest state to gain majority assent in, with residents assenting to 10 constitutional amendments (the mean state assents to 17 amendments).}}
! align="center" | [[Australian Capital Territory|ACT]]{{efn|name=efn1|Residents of the [[Australian Capital Territory]] and [[Northern Territory]] could not vote in referendums until the passing of the [[1977 Australian referendum (Referendums)|1977 Referendums Constitutional Amendment]]. The votes of those territories are counted in the national total, but not toward the count of states which have received a majority.}}
! align="center" | [[Northern Territory|NT]]{{efn|name=efn1}}
|-
| [[1906 Australian referendum|1906]]
| align="right" | 1
|{{yes|[[1906 Australian Senate elections referendum|Senate Elections]]|align="left"}}
| {{Yes|82.65%}}
| {{Yes|6:0}}
| {{yes|83.85%}}
| {{yes|83.10%}}
| {{yes|76.84%}}
| {{yes|86.99%}}
| {{yes|78.93%}}
| {{yes|81.32%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[1910 Australian referendum|1910]]
| align="right" | 2
| {{yes|[[1910 Australian referendum (State Debts)|State Debts]]|align="left"}}
| {{Yes|54.95%}}
| {{Yes|5:1}}
| {{no|33.34%}}
| {{yes|64.59%}}
| {{yes|64.57%}}
| {{yes|73.18%}}
| {{yes|72.80%}}
| {{yes|80.97%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| align="right" | 3
| {{no|[[1910 Australian referendum (Surplus Revenue)|Surplus Revenue]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|49.04%}}
| {{No|3:3}}
| {{no|47.35%}}
| {{no|45.26%}}
| {{yes|54.58%}}
| {{no|49.06%}}
| {{yes|61.74%}}
| {{yes|59.99%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[1911 Australian referendum|1911]]
| align="right" | 4
| {{no|[[1911 Australian referendum (Trade and Commerce)|Trade and Commerce]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|39.42%}}
| {{No|1:5}}
| {{no|36.11%}}
| {{no|38.64%}}
| {{no|43.75%}}
| {{no|38.07%}}
| {{yes|54.86%}}
| {{no|42.11%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| align="right" | 5
| {{no|[[1911 Australian referendum (Monopolies)|Monopolies]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|39.89%}}
| {{No|1:5}}
| {{no|36.72%}}
| {{no|38.95%}}
| {{no|44.26%}}
| {{no|38.42%}}
| {{yes|55.84%}}
| {{no|42.43%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| rowspan="6" | [[1913 Australian referendum|1913]]
| align="right" | 6
| {{no|[[1913 Australian referendum (Trade and Commerce)|Trade and Commerce]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|49.38%}}
| {{No|3:3}}
| {{no|46.93%}}
| {{no|49.12%}}
| {{yes|54.34%}}
| {{yes|51.32%}}
| {{yes|52.86%}}
| {{no|45.16%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| align="right" | 7
| {{no|[[1913 Australian referendum (Corporations)|Corporations]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|49.33%}}
| {{No|3:3}}
| {{no|46.79%}}
| {{no|49.14%}}
| {{yes|54.31%}}
| {{yes|51.34%}}
| {{yes|52.84%}}
| {{no|45.08%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| align="right" | 8
| {{no|[[1913 Australian referendum (Industrial Matters)|Industrial Matters]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|49.33%}}
| {{No|3:3}}
| {{no|46.88%}}
| {{no|49.02%}}
| {{yes|54.36%}}
| {{yes|51.40%}}
| {{yes|52.71%}}
| {{no|45.20%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| align="right" | 9
| {{no|[[1913 Australian referendum (Trusts)|Trusts]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|49.78%}}
| {{No|3:3}}
| {{no|47.12%}}
| {{no|49.71%}}
| {{yes|54.78%}}
| {{yes|51.67%}}
| {{yes|53.59%}}
| {{no|45.38%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| align="right" | 10
| {{no|[[1913 Australian referendum (Monopolies)|Monopolies]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|49.33%}}
| {{No|3:3}}
| {{no|46.85%}}
| {{no|49.07%}}
| {{yes|54.17%}}
| {{yes|51.26%}}
| {{yes|53.19%}}
| {{no|45.22%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| align="right" | 11
| {{no|[[1913 Australian referendum (Railway Disputes)|Railway Disputes]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|49.13%}}
| {{No|3:3}}
| {{no|46.70%}}
| {{no|48.79%}}
| {{yes|54.19%}}
| {{yes|51.28%}}
| {{yes|52.38%}}
| {{no|45.01%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[1919 Australian referendum|1919]]
| align="right" | 12
| {{no|[[1919 Australian referendum (Legislative Powers)|Legislative Powers]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|49.65%}}
| {{No|3:3}}
| {{no|39.95%}}
| {{yes|64.65%}}
| {{yes|57.35%}}
| {{no|25.28%}}
| {{yes|51.75%}}
| {{no|33.43%}}
|{{n/a}}
|{{n/a}}
|-
| align="right" | 13
| {{no|[[1919 Australian referendum (Monopolies)|Monopolies]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|48.64%}}
| {{No|3:3}}
| {{no|38.31%}}
| {{yes|63.29%}}
| {{yes|56.92%}}
| {{no|25.54%}}
| {{yes|53.99%}}
| {{no|34.08%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[1926 Australian referendum|1926]]
| align="right" | 14
| {{no|[[1926 Australian referendum (Industry and Commerce)|Industry and Commerce]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|43.50%}}
| {{No|2:4}}
| {{yes|51.53%}}
| {{no|36.23%}}
| {{yes|52.10%}}
| {{no|29.32%}}
| {{no|29.29%}}
| {{no|44.86%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| align="right" | 15
| {{no|[[1926 Australian referendum (Essential Services)|Essential Services]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|42.80%}}
| {{No|2:4}}
| {{yes|50.39%}}
| {{no|35.55%}}
| {{yes|50.56%}}
| {{no|31.32%}}
| {{no|25.90%}}
| {{no|48.59%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| [[1928 Australian referendum|1928]]
| align="right" | 16
| {{yes|[[1928 Australian referendum (State Debts)|State Debts]]|align="left"}}
| {{Yes|74.30%}}
| {{Yes|6:0}}
| {{yes|64.47%}}
| {{yes|87.78%}}
| {{yes|88.60%}}
| {{yes|62.68%}}
| {{yes|57.53%}}
| {{yes|66.89%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[1937 Australian referendum|1937]]
| align="right" | 17
| {{no|[[1937 Australian referendum (Aviation)|Aviation]]|align="left"}}
| {{Yes|53.56%}}
| {{No|2:4}}
| {{no|47.25%}}
| {{yes|65.10%}}
| {{yes|61.87%}}
| {{no|40.13%}}
| {{no|47.58%}}
| {{no|38.94%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| align="right" | 18
| {{no|[[1937 Australian referendum (Marketing)|Marketing]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|36.26%}}
| {{No|0:6}}
| {{no|33.76%}}
| {{no|46.58%}}
| {{no|38.78%}}
| {{no|20.83%}}
| {{no|27.77%}}
| {{no|21.88%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| [[1944 Australian Post-War Reconstruction and Democratic Rights referendum|1944]]
| align="right" | 19
| {{no|[[1944 Australian Post-War Reconstruction and Democratic Rights referendum|Post-War Reconstruction and Democratic Rights]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|45.99%}}
| {{No|2:4}}
| {{no|45.44%}}
| {{no|49.31%}}
| {{no|36.52%}}
| {{yes|50.64%}}
| {{yes|52.25%}}
| {{no|38.92%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| rowspan="3" | [[1946 Australian referendum|1946]]
| align="right" | 20
| {{yes|[[1946 Australian referendum (Social Services)|Social Services]]|align="left"}}
| {{Yes|54.39%}}
| {{Yes|6:0}}
| {{yes|54.00%}}
| {{yes|55.98%}}
| {{yes|51.26%}}
| {{yes|51.73%}}
| {{yes|62.26%}}
| {{yes|50.58%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| align="right" | 21
| {{no|[[1946 Australian referendum (Marketing)|Marketing]]|align="left"}}
| {{Yes|50.57%}}
| {{No|3:3}}
| {{yes|51.83%}}
| {{yes|52.37%}}
| {{no|45.74%}}
| {{no|48.74%}}
| {{yes|56.21%}}
| {{no|42.55%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| align="right" | 22
| {{no|[[1946 Australian referendum (Industrial Employment)|Industrial Employment]]|align="left"}}
| {{Yes|50.30%}}
| {{No|3:3}}
| {{yes|51.72%}}
| {{yes|52.08%}}
| {{no|43.42%}}
| {{no|48.20%}}
| {{yes|55.74%}}
| {{no|41.37%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| [[1948 Australian referendum|1948]]
| align="right" | 23
| {{no|[[1948 Australian rents and prices referendum|Rents and Prices]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|40.66%}}
| {{No|0:6}}
| {{no|41.66%}}
| {{no|44.63%}}
| {{no|30.80%}}
| {{no|42.15%}}
| {{no|38.59%}}
| {{no|35.45%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| [[1951 Australian referendum|1951]]
| align="right" | 24
| {{no|[[1951 Australian Communist Party ban referendum|Communists and Communism]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|49.44%}}
| {{No|3:3}}
| {{no|47.17%}}
| {{no|48.71%}}
| {{yes|55.76%}}
| {{no|47.29%}}
| {{yes|55.09%}}
| {{yes|50.26%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[1967 Australian referendum|1967]]
| align="right" | 25
| {{no|[[1967 Australian referendum (Parliament)|Parliament]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|40.25%}}
| {{No|1:5}}
| {{yes|51.01%}}
| {{no|30.87%}}
| {{no|44.13%}}
| {{no|33.91%}}
| {{no|29.05%}}
| {{no|23.06%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| align="right" | 26
| {{yes|[[1967 Australian referendum (Aboriginals)|Aboriginals]]|align="left"}}
| {{Yes|90.77%}}
| {{Yes|6:0}}
| {{yes|91.46%}}
| {{yes|94.68%}}
| {{yes|89.21%}}
| {{yes|86.26%}}
| {{yes|80.95%}}
| {{yes|90.21%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[1973 Australian referendum|1973]]
| align="right" | 27
| {{no|[[1973 Australian referendum (Prices)|Prices]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|43.81%}}
| {{No|0:6}}
| {{no|48.55%}}
| {{no|45.18%}}
| {{no|38.47%}}
| {{no|41.16%}}
| {{no|31.90%}}
| {{no|38.22%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| align="right" | 28
| {{no|[[1973 Australian referendum (Incomes)|Incomes]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|34.42%}}
| {{No|0:6}}
| {{no|40.31%}}
| {{no|33.44%}}
| {{no|31.70%}}
| {{no|28.25%}}
| {{no|25.21%}}
| {{no|28.31%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| rowspan="4" | [[1974 Australian referendum|1974]]
| align="right" | 29
| {{no|[[1974 Australian referendum (Simultaneous Elections)|Simultaneous Elections]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|48.30%}}
| {{No|1:5}}
| {{yes|51.06%}}
| {{no|49.19%}}
| {{no|44.32%}}
| {{no|47.14%}}
| {{no|44.07%}}
| {{no|41.37%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| align="right" | 30
| {{no|[[1974 Australian referendum (Mode of Altering the Constitution)|Mode of Altering the Constitution]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|47.99%}}
| {{No|1:5}}
| {{yes|51.35%}}
| {{no|49.22%}}
| {{no|44.29%}}
| {{no|44.26%}}
| {{no|42.53%}}
| {{no|40.72%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| align="right" | 31
| {{no|[[1974 Australian referendum (Democratic Elections)|Democratic Elections]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|47.20%}}
| {{No|1:5}}
| {{yes|50.55%}}
| {{no|47.71%}}
| {{no|43.70%}}
| {{no|44.11%}}
| {{no|42.86%}}
| {{no|40.81%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| align="right" | 32
| {{no|[[1974 Australian referendum (Local Government Bodies)|Local Government Bodies]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|46.85%}}
| {{No|1:5}}
| {{yes|50.79%}}
| {{no|47.38%}}
| {{no|43.68%}}
| {{no|42.52%}}
| {{no|40.67%}}
| {{no|40.03%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| rowspan="4" | [[1977 Australian referendum|1977]]
| align="right" | 33
| {{no|[[1977 Australian referendum (Simultaneous Elections)|Simultaneous Elections]]|align="left"}}
| {{Yes|62.22%}}
| {{No|3:3}}
| {{yes|70.71%}}
| {{yes|65.00%}}
| {{no|47.51%}}
| {{yes|65.99%}}
| {{no|48.47%}}
| {{no|34.26%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| align="right" | 34
| {{yes|[[1977 Australian referendum (Senate Casual Vacancies)|Senate Casual Vacancies]]|align="left"}}
| {{Yes|73.32%}}
| {{Yes|6:0}}
| {{yes|81.62%}}
| {{yes|76.13%}}
| {{yes|58.86%}}
| {{yes|76.59%}}
| {{yes|57.11%}}
| {{yes|53.78%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| align="right" | 35
| {{yes|[[1977 Australian referendum (Referendums)|Referendums]]|align="left"}}
| {{Yes|77.72%}}
| {{Yes|6:0}}
| {{yes|83.92%}}
| {{yes|80.78%}}
| {{yes|59.58%}}
| {{yes|83.29%}}
| {{yes|72.62%}}
| {{yes|62.25%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| align="right" | 36
| {{yes|[[1977 Australian referendum (Retirement of Judges)|Retirement of Judges]]|align="left"}}
| {{Yes|80.10%}}
| {{Yes|6:0}}
| {{yes|84.84%}}
| {{yes|81.43%}}
| {{yes|65.24%}}
| {{yes|85.57%}}
| {{yes|78.37%}}
| {{yes|72.46%}}
| {{n/a}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[1984 Australian referendum|1984]]
| align="right" | 37
| {{no|[[1984 Australian referendum (Terms of Senators)|Terms of Senators]]|align="left"}}
| {{Yes|50.64%}}
| {{No|2:4}}
| {{yes|52.86%}}
| {{yes|53.20%}}
| {{no|45.65%}}
| {{no|49.98%}}
| {{no|46.47%}}
| {{no|39.29%}}
| style="background: #CFC; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center" | 56.68%
| style="background: #CFC; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center" | 51.87%
|-
| align="right" | 38
| {{no|[[1984 Australian referendum (Interchange of Powers)|Interchange of Powers]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|47.06%}}
| {{No|0:6}}
| {{no|49.04%}}
| {{no|49.86%}}
| {{no|41.69%}}
| {{no|45.94%}}
| {{no|44.28%}}
| {{no|34.65%}}
| style="background: #CFC; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center" | 56.10%
| style="background: #FDD; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center" | 47.78%
|-
| rowspan="4" |[[1988 Australian referendum|1988]]
| align="right" | 39
| {{no|[[1988 Australian referendum (Parliamentary Terms)|Parliamentary Terms]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|32.92%}}
| {{No|0:6}}
| {{no|31.66%}}
| {{no|36.20%}}
| {{no|35.15%}}
| {{no|26.76%}}
| {{no|30.67%}}
| {{no|25.34%}}
| style="background: #FDD; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center" | 43.62%
| style="background: #FDD; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center" | 38.13%
|-
| align="right" | 40
| {{no|[[1988 Australian referendum (Fair Elections)|Fair Elections]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|37.60%}}
| {{No|0:6}}
| {{no|35.57%}}
| {{no|40.12%}}
| {{no|44.83%}}
| {{no|30.61%}}
| {{no|32.02%}}
| {{no|28.89%}}
| style="background: #CFC; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center" | 51.99%
| style="background: #FDD; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center" | 42.99%
|-
| align="right" | 41
| {{no|[[1988 Australian referendum (Local Government)|Local Government]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|33.62%}}
| {{No|0:6}}
| {{no|31.70%}}
| {{no|36.06%}}
| {{no|38.31%}}
| {{no|29.85%}}
| {{no|29.76%}}
| {{no|27.50%}}
| style="background: #FDD; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center" | 39.78%
| style="background: #FDD; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center" | 38.80%
|-
| align="right" | 42
| {{no|[[1988 Australian referendum (Rights and Freedoms)|Rights and Freedoms]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|30.79%}}
| {{No|0:6}}
| {{no|29.65%}}
| {{no|33.42%}}
| {{no|32.90%}}
| {{no|26.01%}}
| {{no|28.14%}}
| {{no|25.49%}}
| style="background: #FDD; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center" | 40.71%
| style="background: #FDD; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center" | 37.14%
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[1999 Australian republic referendum|1999]]
| align="right" | 43
| {{no|[[1999 Australian republic referendum|Establishment of Republic]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|45.13%}}
| {{No|0:6}}
| {{no|46.43%}}
| {{no|49.84%}}
| {{no|37.44%}}
| {{no|43.57%}}
| {{no|41.48%}}
| {{no|40.37%}}
| style="background: #CFC; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center" | 63.27%
| style="background: #FDD; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center" | 48.77%
|-
| align="right" | 44
| {{no|[[1999 Australian republic referendum#Preamble question|Preamble]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|39.34%}}
| {{No|0:6}}
| {{no|42.14%}}
| {{no|42.46%}}
| {{no|32.81%}}
| {{no|38.10%}}
| {{no|34.73%}}
| {{no|35.67%}}
| style="background: #FDD; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center" | 43.61%
| style="background: #FDD; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center" | 38.52%
|-
|[[2023_Australian_Indigenous_Voice_referendum|2023]]
| align="right" | 45
|{{no|[[2023_Australian_Indigenous_Voice_referendum|Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice]]|align="left"}}
| {{No|39.94%}}
| {{No|0:6}}
| {{no|41.04%}}
| {{no|45.85%}}
| {{no|31.79%}}
| {{no|35.83%}}
| {{no|36.73%}}
| {{no|41.06%}}
| style="background: #CFC; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center"| 61.29%
| style="background: #FDD; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center" | 39.70%
|}
{{notelist}}

=== Results of plebiscites ===
The three plebiscites were all non-binding polls and not referendums to change the constitution. Consequently, the majority of states requirement was not applicable.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+<ref name="Handbook plebiscites" />
|-
! align="left" | Year
! align="right" | No.
! align="left" | Name
! States
! Voters
! align="center" | Carried
|-
|[[1916 Australian conscription referendum|1916]]
| align="right" |{{sort|11.1|–}}
| align="left" |[[1916 Australian conscription referendum|Military Service]]
| align="center" | 3:3{{hsp}}
| {{No|48.39%}}
| {{No}}
|-
|[[1917 Australian conscription referendum|1917]]
| align="right" |{{sort|11.2|–}}
| align="left" |[[1917 Australian conscription referendum|Military Service]]
| align="center" | 2:4{{hsp}}
| {{No|46.21%}}
| {{No}}
|-
|[[1977 Australian referendum|1977]]
| align="right" |{{sort|36.1|–}}
| align="left" |[[1977 Australian plebiscite (National Song)|National Song]]{{hsp}}
| align="center" | 5:1{{hsp}}
| {{Yes|43.29%}}
| {{Yes}}{{efn|The plebiscite was a choice between four songs. "[[Advance Australia Fair]]" received a plurality of votes, so the plebiscite carried despite the choice not receiving a majority.<ref name="Handbook plebiscites"/>}}
|-
|}

=== Results of postal surveys ===
The one postal survey was a non-binding poll to gauge support for a prospective legislative change. The survey was conducted by the [[Australian Bureau of Statistics]] via surveys posted to every person on the electoral role along with a paid return envelope.  Responding to the survey was optional.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+<ref name="Handbook plebiscites" />
|-
! align="left" | Year
! align="right" | No.
! align="left" | Name
! States
! Response rate
! align="center" | Carried
|-
|[[Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey|2017]]
| align="right" |{{sort|44.1|–}}
| align="left" |[[Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey|Australian Marriage Law]]
| align="center" | 6:0{{hsp}}
| {{Yes|61.60%}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
|}

==State and territory referendums==
[[States and territories of Australia]] may also hold referendums. Certain examples are listed below.

* In the years leading up to the [[Federation of Australia]] in 1901, all six colonies (as the states then were) passed referendums in favour of Federation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aec.gov.au/about_aec/Publications/Fact_Sheets/factsheet1.htm |title=Federation Fact Sheet 1 – The Referendums 1898–1900 |publisher=Australian Electoral Commission |access-date=2021-10-19}}</ref>
* In 1933, voters in Western Australia [[1933 Western Australian secession referendum|voted for their state to leave the Commonwealth of Australia]] with the aim of reverting to the [[British Empire]] as an autonomous territory. The [[Western Australian Government]] sent a delegation to [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Westminster]]; however the United Kingdom House of Commons refused to intervene, declaring it had no power to grant secession, and therefore no action was taken to implement this decision.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.law.mq.edu.au/html/MqLJ/Volume3/Vol3_Musgrave.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060821081842/http://www.law.mq.edu.au/html/MqLJ/Volume3/Vol3_Musgrave.pdf |title=The Western Australian Secessionist Movement |last=Musgrave |first=Thomas|archive-date=2006-08-21 |url-status=dead}} (2003) 3 [[Macquarie Law Journal]] 95.</ref>
* In 1967, voters in north-east New South Wales [[1967 New South Wales New England new state referendum|were asked]] if they favoured [[New England New State Movement#Referendum|creating a new state]] in their region. The ''no'' vote won, with 54.1% of the formal vote.<ref>{{cite web |title=Referendum 29 April 1967 |url=http://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/results/referendums_and_polls/state/29_april_1967 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218192113/http://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/results/referendums_and_polls/state/29_april_1967 |archive-date=2011-02-18 |website=NSW Electoral Commission}}</ref>
* In 1968, Tasmanian voters took part in a [[1968 Tasmanian casino referendum|referendum to approve the granting of Australia's first casino licence]] to the Federal Group to operate the [[Wrest Point Hotel Casino]] in Hobart. The referendum passed with 53% of the formal vote.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/tpl/InfoSheets/referendums.htm |title=Referendums in Tasmania |publisher=[[Parliament of Tasmania]] |date=5 August 2002}}</ref>
* In 1975, voters in Western Australia [[1975 Western Australian daylight saving referendum|voted against permanent daylight saving/summer time]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elections.wa.gov.au/elections/state-referendums/past-referendums/1975-daylight-saving-referendum |title=1975 - First Daylight Savings Referendum |publisher=Western Australian Electoral Commission |access-date=2021-10-19}}</ref>
* In 1978, the [[Australian Capital Territory]] voted at a referendum on whether the ACT should be granted self-government. Voters were given the choice of becoming a self-governing territory, a [[Local government in Australia|local government]] or continuing with the Legislative Assembly being an advisory body to the Department of the Capital Territory. 63.75% voted to continue with the then current arrangement.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.act.gov.au/elections_and_voting/act_legislative_assembly_referendums/1978_referendum|title=1978 Referendum|date=6 January 2015 |publisher=Elections ACT}}</ref> Despite the outcome of the referendum, the [[Parliament of Australia]] passed the ''[[Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988|Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act]]'' in 1988 and the ACT became a self-governing territory in 1989.
* In 1981, the [[Tasmanian Government]] held a [[1981 Tasmanian power referendum|controversial referendum]] to decide the location of a [[Franklin Dam|hydro-electric dam on the Franklin River]]. With the electorate simply given a choice of two different dams, approximately 33% of the electorate voted informal by writing "No Dams" on their ballot paper.<ref>[http://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/tpl/InfoSheets/referendums.htm Tasmanian Referendums]</ref>
* In 1984, voters in Western Australia [[1984 Western Australian daylight saving referendum|voted against permanent daylight saving/summer time]] for a second time.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elections.wa.gov.au/elections/state-referendums/past-referendums/1984-daylight-saving-referendum |title=1984 - Second Daylight Savings Referendum |publisher=Western Australian Electoral Commission |access-date=2021-10-19}}</ref>
* In 1992, after trialling [[daylight saving time|Daylight Saving]] in Queensland for a total of three years, a [[1992 Queensland daylight saving referendum|referendum]] was held, with 54.5% of Queenslanders voting against daylight saving. Regional and rural areas strongly opposed daylight saving, while those in the metropolitan south-east voted in favour of it.<ref name="Qld past Referendums">{{cite web |url=https://www.ecq.qld.gov.au/elections/election-events |title=Election events: Referendums |publisher=Electoral Commission of Queensland |access-date=2021-10-19}}</ref>
* In 1992, a referendum to amend constitutional law in [[Queensland]] to extend the maximum parliamentary term from three to four years was defeated by 51.1% to 48.9%.<ref name="Qld past Referendums"/>
* Also in 1992, voters in Western Australia [[1992 Western Australian daylight saving referendum|voted against permanent daylight saving/summer time]] for a third time.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elections.wa.gov.au/elections/state-referendums/past-referendums/1992-daylight-saving-referendum |title=1992 - Third Daylight Savings Referendum |publisher=Western Australian Electoral Commission |access-date=2021-10-19}}</ref>
* In 1995, voters in New South Wales [[1995 New South Wales referendums#Four-year terms|voted for a fixed four-year term]] for the state parliament.<ref>{{Gazette NSW|url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article231959790|title=Result of referendums|issue=60|date=20 June 1991|access-date=2021-10-11|page=2672|via=Trove}}</ref>
* In 2005, voters in Western Australia rejected two referendums related to [[2005 Western Australian retail trading hours referendum|weekday trading and Sunday trading]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elections.wa.gov.au/elections/state-referendums/past-referendums/2005-retail-trading-hours-referendum |title=2005 Retail Trading Hours Referendum |publisher=Western Australian Electoral Commission |access-date=2021-10-19}}</ref>
* In 2009, after a three-year trial, voters in Western Australia [[2009 Western Australian daylight saving referendum|voted against permanent daylight saving/summer time]] for a fourth time in four decades.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elections.wa.gov.au/elections/state-referendums/past-referendums/2009-daylight-saving-referendum |title=2009 Daylight Saving Referendum |publisher=Western Australian Electoral Commission |access-date=2021-10-19}}</ref>
* In 2016, voters in Queensland voted 52.96% for a [[2016 Queensland term length referendum|fixed four-year term]] for the state unicameral parliament.<ref>{{cite web|title=2016 State Referendum - Summary |url=http://results.ecq.qld.gov.au/elections/state/REF2016/results/summary.html |publisher=Electoral Commission of Queensland |access-date=5 April 2016}}</ref>

As of 2024, the most recent state referendum in New South Wales was in [[1995 New South Wales referendums|1995]], in Queensland was in [[2016 Queensland term length referendum|2016]], in South Australia was in [[1991 South Australian electoral boundaries referendum|1991]], in Tasmania was in [[1981 Tasmanian power referendum|1981]], in Western Australia was in [[2009 Western Australian daylight saving referendum|2009]] and in Victoria in [[1898–1900 Australian constitutional referendums|1898]].

==See also==
{{Portal|Australia}}
*[[Proposed 2013 Australian constitutional referendum]]
*[[2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
===Specific references===
{{Reflist}}

===General references===
Federal referendums
* {{cite book |url=http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Representatives_Committees?url=laca/inquiryinconch.htm |title=Select sources on constitutional change in Australia 1901–1997}} {{cite book |url=http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_representatives_Committees?url=laca/constitutionalchange/part2.pdf |title=Part 2 – History of Australian Referendums |isbn=0644484101 |publisher=Commonwealth of Australia |date= 24 March 1997}} An Australian Parliament report, summarising the background, "yes" and "no" cases, and results, for each referendum up to 1988.

State and territory referendums
* {{cite web |url=https://elections.nsw.gov.au/elections/how-voting-works/voting-in-new-south-wales/referendums-and-polls |title=New South Wales Referendums |publisher=[[New South Wales Electoral Commission|NSW Electoral Commission]] |access-date=14 October 2023}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.ecq.qld.gov.au/elections/election-events |title=Queensland Election events |publisher=[[Electoral Commission of Queensland]] |access-date=14 October 2023}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au/elections/other-elections |title=South Australian Other elections, polls and referenda |publisher=[[Electoral Commission of South Australia]] |access-date=14 October 2023}}
* [https://www.elections.wa.gov.au/elections/state-referendums Western Australia State Referendums]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110312104349/https://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/tpl/InfoSheets/referendums.htm Referendums in Tasmania]
* [https://www.elections.act.gov.au/publications/act_electoral_commission_fact_sheets/fact_sheets_-_general_html/elections_act_factsheet_referendums ACT Referendums]
*{{cite web | title=Referendums and plebiscites | website=Parliamentary Education Office | url=https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/having-your-say/elections-and-voting/referendums-and-plebiscites/ }}

== Further reading ==

* {{Cite book |last1=Williams |first1=George |title=People Power: The History and Future of the Referendum in Australia |last2=Hume |first2=David |date=2010 |publisher=UNSW Press |isbn=978-1-74223-215-7 |location=Sydney, NSW |language=en}}
{{Australian elections}}
{{Constitution of Australia}}
{{Politics of Australia}}

[[Category:Referendums in Australia]]
[[Category:Australian constitutional law|Referendums]]
[[Category:Constitutional amendments|Australia]]