TL;DR: If having your address on the public electoral roll could put you or your family’s safety at risk, you can apply to the AEC to become a silent elector. You’ll need a Commonwealth Statutory Declaration explaining the risk, and one form of ID. Once approved, your address won’t appear on future public rolls (masking can take up to 7 days). Wanting fewer junk mail or a silent phone number isn’t enough on its own.
Why it matters
The public electoral roll can be inspected, and it lists names and addresses. For most people that’s fine. For anyone escaping violence, stalking or harassment, it’s a real risk.
Who can apply
According to the AEC:
- Australian citizens 18 or over (16- and 17-year-olds can enrol and register now, ready for 18);
- who have lived at their address for at least one month;
- who believe having their address on the public roll could put them or their family’s safety at risk.
Not accepted as grounds on their own: a silent phone number, or not wanting junk mail.
What you need
- The silent elector form: online, or the paper version for your state or territory.
- A Commonwealth Statutory Declaration, witnessed by an approved person, explaining in detail the risk to you or your family. State or territory declarations aren’t accepted (the Attorney-General’s Department lists alternatives, including myGov and Digital ID options).
- One form of ID: Australian driver licence, passport, Medicare card, citizenship number, or confirmation from a currently enrolled person. Proof of age cards don’t count.
Tip: family members at the same address with the same surname should each apply separately.
What it hides (and doesn’t)
- Your address won’t be shown on future editions of the public roll.
- At a new address, only your name and division appear.
- At your current address, it stays on rolls already published. That’s why applying before or as you move is best.
- Masking can take up to 7 days after approval.
- You don’t need to reapply after moving or changing your name. Just update your enrolment.
State and local rolls
Paper forms exist for each state and territory. In Victoria, silent status on the state roll also suppresses your address on the local government roll. Non-resident ratepayers may need to apply separately to their council.
How the application works in practice
Service NSW’s referral page shows how it plays out for NSW residents (the process runs through the AEC for everyone):
- You must already be enrolled at your current address.
- Your application must explain in detail what the risk is and why your or your family’s safety is at risk.
- You’ll need the AEC form, a statutory declaration and one ID: an Australian driver licence or passport.
- A Divisional Returning Officer decides and tells you in writing. The information in your application stays strictly confidential.
- Once approved, only your name and electoral division appear on future rolls.
One easily missed tip: family members with the same surname enrolled at your address should consider applying too. Otherwise their entry can link your surname to the address anyway.
Other places your address leaks
The electoral roll is one source. Others include old data breaches, directory listings and property records. To reduce your footprint:
- unlist your number from directories (how);
- check breaches with our free exposure checker;
- know your legal options under the privacy tort.
If you’re in danger, call 000. For support, contact 1800RESPECT.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should my family also apply to be silent electors?
Service NSW suggests family members with the same surname enrolled at your address consider applying, so the address can’t be linked to your surname through them.
Who can become a silent elector in Australia?
Australian citizens 18 or over who believe having their address on the public roll could put them or their family’s safety at risk.
What documents do I need to become a silent elector?
The silent elector form, a Commonwealth Statutory Declaration explaining the risk, and one form of ID such as a driver licence or passport.
Does silent enrolment remove my address from old rolls?
No. It hides your address on future public rolls. Rolls already published at your current address still show it.
Do I need to reapply after moving?
No. Update your enrolment and you remain a silent elector.