1. Create petition
To create a paper petition you can use our online form or make your own from our template.
You must make sure your petition follows the rules, so you should check these first. You should also read our frequently asked questions (FAQs)
You can also contact us if you need help.
The first page of your petition must:
✔ be addressed to the House of Representatives
✔ include a reason for your petition and a request (no more than 250 words)
✔ include your details and signature as the Principal Petitioner
The second and other pages of your petition must:
✔ include the petition request at the top of each page and space for people to sign
Tip: You should think carefully about what your petition is asking for and make sure it follows the rules before you collect signatures.
2. Collect signatures
When you are sure that your petition meets the rules you can collect signatures.
Each signature on a paper petition must:
✔ be original and signed by hand
✔ certify that they are a citizen or resident of Australia
✘ not be a photocopy or a typed from a computer
✘ not be changed or altered
When you have finished collecting signatures you must post all pages of your petition (including the front page) to the Petitions Committee Secretary:
Committee Secretary
Standing Committee on Petitions
PO Box 6021
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
3. Certification
When received, the Petitions Committee will decide if your petition meets the rules.
The signatures on your petition will also be counted, but only those that meet the rules.
✔ If your petition meets it will be certified and your name and the petition details will published on the petitions list.
(we do not publish your personal details or the details of people who have signed)
✔ If your petition does not meet the rules it will not be published. We will email you to tell you if this happens and why, and will return your petition to you by post.
Tip: The Petitions Committee usually meets to decide on petitions each week that the House of Representatives meets. Sometimes there can be a long time between meetings and it can take a while for your petition to be certified. If your petition request is urgent or you need a quick response, consider raising your issue in another way.
4. Presentation
After your petition has been certified it will be presented in the House of Representatives (the House).
This is usually done by the Petitions Committee Chair each Monday that the House meets.
You may ask another Member of Parliament to present your petition instead. You will need to make these arrangements and let the Committee secretariat know if this is going to happen.
Tip: Sometimes there can be a long time between meetings of the House and it can take a while for your petition to be presented. If your petition request is urgent, or you need a quick response, consider raising your issue in another way.
5. Referral to a Minister
If your petition receives 50 or more signatures, it will usually be referred to a Minister. The Minister is then asked to provide you with a written response to the request in your petition.
The Minister is asked to respond to your petition within 90 days. Sometimes this can take longer.
Tip: If your petition request is urgent, or you need a quick response, consider raising your issue in another way.
6. Response received
When a response to your petition is received, it must be seen by the Petitions Committee.
The Committee usually meets to see responses each week that the House of Representatives meets.
Tip: Sometimes there can be a long time between Committee meetings. If your petition request is urgent, or you need a quick response, consider raising your issue in another way.
7. Response presented
After the Committee has seen the Minister’s response to your petition, it must get presented in the House of Representatives (the House).
This is done by the Petitions Committee Chair every Monday that the House meets.
When the response to your petition has been presented it will be published on the webpage for your e-petition. You will get an email when this has been done with a link to a copy of the response.
This is the final stage for your petition.
Tip: Sometimes there can be a long time between meetings of the House and it can take a while for your response to be presented. If your petition request is urgent, or you need a quick response, consider raising your issue in another way.