📊 Election Excellence in Action: Why the Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA) Could Be Your Next Great Career Move 🚀
Dreaming of a public‑sector role where every project protects democracy itself? The Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA) might be the pint‑sized powerhouse you’ve been looking for. Read on for the fast facts, sought‑after skills, salary insights and insider tips you need to decide whether ECSA should be on your “apply‑now” list.
AT‑A‑GLANCE 📌
Name of Department / Council: Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA)
Location: Head office in Adelaide CBD; operations span all of South Australia
CEO: Electoral Commissioner Mick Sherry
Total Revenue (2023‑24): $12.845 million (controlled activities)
Total Number of Employees: ≈ 30 ongoing staff
DID YOU KNOW? 🤔
ECSA keeps one of the cleanest electoral rolls in the country—97.6 % of all eligible South Australians were enrolled in 2023‑24, comfortably beating its >95 % target and ensuring almost every voice can be heard on election day.
THE QUALIFICATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, TRADES, PROFESSIONS, WORK EXPERIENCES & SKILLS MOST SUITED TO ECSA 🛠️
Top 5 academic qualifications most suited
Bachelor of Political Science or Government – underpins policy analysis and electoral legislation.
Bachelor of Business (Management) – supports project and resource coordination across multiple polling events.
Bachelor of Information Technology – critical for election‑management systems and cyber security.
Certificate IV in Training & Assessment – ideal for designing polling‑official training programs.
Master of Public Administration (MPA) – equips candidates to drive governance and strategic planning in a small agency.
Top 5 certifications most suited
Prince2® / AgilePM® – structured delivery of election projects and tight deadlines.
Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) – stewardship of election funding and public finance.
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) – protects electoral data integrity.
Certificate IV in Work Health & Safety – ensures safe operations at 30+ polling venues.
Google Analytics Certification – measures engagement for voter‑education campaigns.
Top 5 trades / professions most suited
Project Managers – orchestrate polling logistics end‑to‑end.
Graphic Designers – craft clear ballots and public‑education materials.
Communications Specialists – lead stakeholder engagement and media.
IT Systems Administrators – maintain secure roll‑management platforms.
Legal/Compliance Officers – interpret complex electoral legislation and funding rules.
Top 5 skills most suited
Stakeholder Engagement: liaise with councils, community groups and MPs to deliver smooth elections.
Data Analysis: translate turnout statistics into service improvements.
Digital Literacy: support online enrolment portals and social‑media outreach.
Risk Management: foresee and mitigate cyber, WHS and reputational risks.
Adaptive Thinking: pivot quickly when election dates—and rules—shift.
Top 5 work experiences most suited
Delivering large‑scale events under strict deadlines.
Managing volunteers or contingent workforces (think 1,000+ casual polling officials).
Writing policy briefs or legal interpretations for decision‑makers.
Deploying cloud‑based business or election systems.
Running statewide communications or education campaigns.
THE KEY FACTS 📝
Name of Department: Electoral Commission of South Australia
Name of CEO: Mick Sherry
Location: State‑wide agency headquartered in Adelaide
Year Founded: 1907 (current structure under the Electoral Act 1985)
Main mission & purpose: “Electoral excellence for South Australians”—conduct free, fair and accessible elections at state, local‑government and prescribed‑body level.
Main duties:
Maintain the electoral roll.
Run state, council and other legislated elections.
Provide voter education and compliance monitoring.
Real‑world impact: each accurate roll update prevents duplicate ballot papers and upholds democratic integrity.
Key projects & future plans:
Modern election‑management system build (funded design phase underway)
Planning for 2026 State Election, Local Government elections & First Nations Voice repeat election.
Ongoing “Civics in the City” school‑education partnership with SA Parliament
THE EMPLOYEES & REVENUE 💰
Total Number of Employees: ~30 ongoing (plus 1,000+ casual polling officials during events)
Total Number of Employees at each pay level: Not individually published; majority fall within ASO5‑ASO6 classifications.
Salary bands (SA Public Sector Enterprise Agreement 2023 indicative):
ASO2: ~$63k‑$69k
ASO4: ~$75k‑$80k
ASO6: ~$96k‑$107k
ASO8 / Principal Project Officer: ~$125k‑$133k
Executive (Commissioner level): $280k+
Average salary: Mid‑ASO6 (~$100k) based on typical classification mix.
Total Revenue (2023‑24): $12.845 million
Average revenue per employee: Roughly $428k (Total Revenue ÷ 30 staff).
GETTING A JOB AT ECSA 🏆
Academic subjects likely most sought after
Certificate / Diploma Level: Business Administration, Work Health & Safety, Government Investigations.
Bachelor / Master Level: Political Science, Information Technology, Commerce (Accounting), Communications, Data Science.
PhDs: Electoral Systems, Public Policy, Cyber Security—ideal for research and strategic‑policy roles.
Trades & professions in demand
Digital Project Managers, Business Analysts, Graphic Designers, Systems Engineers, Community Engagement Officers.
Work experiences valued
High‑stakes event delivery, public‑sector compliance, agile software implementation, community or Indigenous engagement.
Skills hotlist
Soft skills: Analytical thinking, clear writing, stakeholder diplomacy, cultural awareness, resilience.
Technical skills: SQL/Power BI, cyber‑security protocols, cloud infrastructure (Azure/O365), Prince2.
General skills: Budget management, procurement, volunteer coordination, public speaking.
Hobbies & interests that align
Enjoy volunteering at elections, mentoring youth debates, coding open‑source civic‑tech tools or running community workshops? You’ll fit right in.
WANT MORE INFORMATION ON ECSA? 📞
Website: https://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au
Current vacancies listed under “Work with us”
HR Contact Email: ECSA.comments@sa.gov.au
Phone: (08) 7424 7400
Address: Level 6, 60 Light Square, Adelaide SA 5000
FAST‑TRACK YOUR GOVERNMENT CAREER 🚀
Skip the late‑night copy‑paste sessions! Gov Job Pro will soon let you craft tailor‑made selection criteria, resumes and cover letters in under 15 minutes.
Join the waitlist today and be first in line for this game‑changing AI application tool!
DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available information, including annual reports. While we strive to provide accurate and up‑to‑date information, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the information on this article. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this article.