Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918

A writ for the election of Senators shall be addressed to the Australian Electoral Officer for the State or Territory for which the election is to be held.

Where a writ for an election of Senators is received by the Australian Electoral Officer for a State or Territory under subsection (1), the officer shall:

endorse on the writ the date of its receipt;

advertise receipt of, and particulars of, the writ:

in not less than 2 newspapers circulating generally in the State or Territory; or

if there is only one newspaper circulating generally in the State or Territory—in that newspaper;

take such steps as the officer considers appropriate to advise each Divisional Returning Officer in the State or Territory of the dates fixed by the writ; and

give such directions as the officer considers appropriate to each Divisional Returning Officer in relation to the holding of the election.