Research Hub

We’ve pulled together the best tools, guides, and scorecards to help you really dig into the candidates, policies, and issues that matter to you.

Whether you’ve got ten minutes or a full afternoon, you’ll find everything you need right here to feel confident at the ballot box.

Who's running in my electorate?

Discover which candidates are running in your local area (including all candidates running below the line in the Senate)

Learn more

ABC Vote Compass

Vote Compass is a tool developed by political scientists to help you explore how your views compare to parties and candidates.

Learn more

They Vote For You

Discover how your representatives in parliament vote on issues you care about.

Learn more

Election Matcher

This spreadsheet and tool have a heap of consolidated information about how parties and candidates have voted.

Spreadsheet
Matching tool

Major party policy tracker

What policies the major (and major-ish) parties have announced.

Coming soon!

Issue-specific resources

Are we missing something? Send it to hello@buildaballot.org.au - we're constantly updating this list with new resources!

Filter by
Reset all
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
First Nations

ANTAR Federal Election Scorecard

ANTAR has provided a guide to the First Nations policy platforms of Labor, the Coalition and The Greens

Environment

Australian Conservation Foundation Scorecard

ACF has independently assessed and scored the major parties and 18 independent candidates for their commitments to: Save nature, Champion renewables, Reject nuclear and Stop the climate wreckers.

Human Rights
Palestine

Amnesty Human Rights Scorecard

Shows where the major parties stand on human rights

Refugees

ASRC Election Scorecard

Shows how the major parties stack up on issues that matter for refugees

LGBTQIA+

Rainbow Votes 2025

Shows where the parties and independents stand on LGBTIQ+ issues

Integrity

Australian Democracy Network

Checklists, policy statements and information about where parties and candidates stand on integrity policy

Climate

Climate Council Policy Scorecard

Shows where the three largest political parties in Australia stand on climate and energy policy

Palestine

Australian Palestine Advocacy Network

See how the major parties and your local candidates stack up when it comes to Palestine

Climate
Environment

Nature Conservation Council Scorecard

Shows which parties will cut power bills, act on climate change and protect nature.

Women

Women's Electoral Lobby Scorecard

The scorecard assesses the main parties’ commitments against WEL’s top priorities such as: eliminating all forms of violence against women, health and reproductive rights, housing and homelessness, early childhood education and care, and income adequacy and equality for women.

Health

Emerge Australia Scorecard

See where parties and candidates stand on addressing the rights and needs of people living with ME/CFS and long COVID

AI

Australians for AI Safety

See how parties and candidates rate on critical AI safety policies for the 2025 election

Animals

Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds

An election scorecard, summarising Federal party’s position on policies crucial to greyhound welfare.

Refugees

Refugee Council Policy Comparison

2025 Election Policy Comparison on Refugee and Asylum Issues

Religion
Education

Catholic Education Scorecard

Catholic Education asked the Australian Labor Party, Liberal National Coalition, the Australian Greens and key Independent candidates to provide their response to our priorities for Catholic education.

Health
LGBTQIA+
Women

Sexual Health Advocates for Reproductive Equity

SHARE has created an election scorecard to help you understand how major political parties in Australia align on key SRH issues like access to abortion, contraception, LGBTQIA+ healthcare, and more.

LGBTQIA+

LGBTI Rights Australia Scorecard

A scorecard that shows how the major parties stand on key LGBTI issues

A step by step guide to doing your research...

STep 1

Make sure you've got Build a Ballot open in a separate tab. Answer the questions at the start, select your electorate and Build a Ballot will give you a recommended 'match score' for each of your local candidates.

STep 2

Now it's time to dig a little deeper. Learn more about your candidates: why they’re running, what their policies are, what experience they have that makes them qualified for the job. Some places to look…

Success!

Keep your eyes and inbox peeled for updates.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Look through their own website and social media accounts - see what they say about themselves!

Success!

Keep your eyes and inbox peeled for updates.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Check the news tab to see if there’s been any reporting on your candidates

Success!

Keep your eyes and inbox peeled for updates.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
If they’ve been elected before, you can see how they’ve actually voted on issues. If they haven’t run before but are part of a party, check to see how others in their party have voted.
They Vote For You

Success!

Keep your eyes and inbox peeled for updates.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
This spreadsheet and tool have a heap of consolidated information about how parties and candidates have voted.
Spreadsheet
Matching tool

More resources coming soon! Found a useful resource that we should add? Send us an email to hello@buildaballot.org.au

STep 3

Once you've learnt about your candidates (there's a space to add notes in the drop-downs!) it's time to choose your final preference order. Don't forget - your match score is just a recommendation. There are so many important issues that might inform your vote, so choose preferences that reflect YOUR values.

Once you're happy, save your plan through the Build a Ballot plan and you're ready to go!

STep 4

Send Build a Ballot to the group chat! Friends help friends make informed voting choices 😎

Australian elections: please explain

Everything you need to know about Australian politics, explained. Get your democracy on and level up your election knowledge before heading to the polls.

Read More
2
Min read

Can Voters in Safe Seats Influence Election Outcomes?

Yes, plus four ways to make your vote count!

3
Min read

Is My Vote Worth It? Debunking Myths About Voting in Australia

Your vote is never wasted—preferential voting ensures every vote counts, minor parties and independents can shape government, and even in a safe seat, your first preference influences future elections.

3
Min read

Are we voting for the Prime Minister?

Your vote elects your local representative, but also helps shape the government and Prime Minister — so it's crucial to consider candidates and party policies!

Elections 101Research HubTransparency CentreSupport the CampaignVolunteerDonateFAQs

Build a Ballot is a tool by Project Planet (ABN 55666555531). Authorised by Tegan Lerm, Project Planet Inc, Collingwood VIC

Have a question? Get in touch by emailing hello@buildaballot.org.au. If you’re a candidate or party, please contact tool@buildaballot.org.au

Privacy PolicySite by Tilt Studio