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3. State Electoral Divisions
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
A State Electoral Division is an area legally prescribed for the purpose of returning one or more members to the State or Territory lower Houses of Parliament. The derived Census Geographic Areas which approximate these official areas are known as State Electoral Divisions (SEDs). The boundaries and census statistics produced for SEDs are CD derived (based on the method described in 1. Introduction ). Boundaries are based upon the Electoral Divisions current on Census night 7 August 2001.
For the 2001 Census, 433 SEDs are defined to cover the whole of geographic Australia (excluding territories of Jervis Bay, Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands). SEDs do not cross State/Territory borders.
SED names and codes
SED names are the same as those allocated by the Electoral Commission in each State/Territory. All SEDs are sorted by name and then allocated a four-digit code. Unique Australia-wide identification of SEDs requires a five-digit code comprising State/Territory code (digit 1) and SED code (digits 2–5).
The SED code 9999 is reserved for those States/Territories that have Shipping, Off-Shore Areas and Migratory CDs. CDs allocated this code are not part of any official Electoral Division.
Some States and Territories have differing electoral arrangements. A summary of these differences and how they affect the SED classification is provided below:
NSW
New South Wales has two Houses of Parliament but only the Legislative Assembly (lower House) electoral districts are represented in the SED classification since the Legislative Council (upper House) is a single constituency. SEDs are sorted by lower House district name and then allocated a code starting from 0001.
Vic.
In Victoria, the Legislative Council (upper House) Provinces are obtained by amalgamating the Legislative Assembly (lower House) electoral districts. The SED classification provides information on both of these Houses. The four-digit code comprises a lower House code (digits 1–2) and an upper House code (digits 3–4). Upper House Province names are recorded in brackets after the lower House district names.
Qld
Queensland has only one house of Parliament (the Legislative Assembly) with each member representing an electoral district. These districts are equivalent to divisions in this classification. SEDs are sorted by name and then allocated a code starting from 0001.
SA
Like New South Wales, in South Australia, there are two Houses of Parliament but only the House of Assembly (lower House) electoral districts are represented in the SED classification since the Legislative Council (upper House) is a single constituency. SEDs are sorted by lower House name and then allocated a code starting from 0001.
WA
In Western Australia, Legislative Council (upper House) regions are obtained by amalgamating the Legislative Assembly (lower House) electoral districts. Only lower House districts are represented in the SED classification. SEDs are sorted by lower House name and then allocated a code starting from 0001.
Tas.
In Tasmania, multiple members are returned to the House of Assembly (lower House) electorates and the Legislative Council (upper House) divisions are obtained by subdividing the lower House Divisions. Information on both Houses is provided by the SED classification. The four-digit code comprises an upper House code (digits 1–2) and a lower House code (digits 3–4). Tasmanian lower House names are recorded in brackets after upper House names.
NT
In the Northern Territory, there is only one House of Parliament, the Legislative Assembly, the electorates for which are equivalent to the divisions in the SED classification. SEDs are sorted by name and then allocated a code starting from 0001.
ACT
In the Australian Capital Territory there is only one House of Parliament, the Legislative Assembly, the electorates for which are equivalent to the divisions in the SED classification. SEDs are sorted by name and then allocated a code starting from 0001.
OT
There are no State Electoral Boundaries for Other Territories.
Examples:
1 0001 Albury
1 0002 Auburn
...
2 0115 Albert Park (Monash)
2 0214 Altona (Melbourne West)
...
3 0001 Albert
3 0002 Algester
...
4 0001 Adelaide
4 0002 Ashford
...
5 0001 Albany
5 0002 Alfred Cove
...
6 0101 Apsley (Bass)
6 0105 Apsley (Lyons)
...
7 0001 Arafura
7 0002 Araluen
...
8 0001 Brindabella
8 0002 Ginninderra
Please see 8. Census Geographic Area Classification Listings for a full listing of SED codes and names.
Maintenance
SEDs are only defined in the census year. Thus, any boundary changes that occur in official electoral boundaries will not be reflected until the next census. However, CD based concordances will be produced as redistribution of State Electoral boundaries become effective.
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