A referendum allows eligible electors to express an opinion on adopting or changing public policy issues or their constitution. In Australia, referenda are initiated by the Commonwealth, State or Territory parliaments.

Like general elections, voting in referenda is compulsory for all enrolled electors.

Australia's first ever referendum was held in South Australia in 1896 and dealt with matters relating to secular and religious education. Following the success of the South Australian referendum the process was then adopted countrywide at both State and Federal level.

The process for enacting a State referendum is as follows:

1.  A Bill containing the proposed changes is laid before, and discussed by, both houses of Parliament.
2.  After the Bill passes through Parliament, the electorate votes on the issue at a referendum.
3.  If a majority of voters at the referendum approve of the Bill, it may be sent to the Governor for official consent and may become law.

State referenda have included issues debated by Parliament such as daylight saving, trading hours for shops, and the closing time for pubs. The table below shows some of the referenda held in South Australia, including their results.

More information can be found in the publication South Australian referenda (PDF 818 KB)