I'm sorry, who? All the minor parties on your Senate ballot sheet, explained.

Let's be honest, when you're standing in that polling booth, staring at a ballot paper longer than your weekly shopping list, some of those minor parties can be a bit of a mystery. Who are they? What do they actually want? And why should you care?

Even when I've done my research, I still find there are several that feel completely foreign to me. We all know the big hitters (Labor, the Greens and the Coalition — the Liberal Party, National Party, Country Liberal Party and National Party of WA), but the minor parties need your attention too.

But don't sweat. We've done the legwork for you and dug into the policies of every minor party contesting this year's election. Here's your no-nonsense guide to understanding exactly who's asking for your vote.

Listen to Anthony Albanese call the federal election on The Quicky. Post continues below.

Every minor party in the 2025 federal election.

Animal Justice Party.

As the name suggests, these folks are passionate about our furry (and scaly) friends. Think of them as the political voice for animals who can't speak for themselves.

The Animal Justice Party has a "long-term vision for a kinder Australia", which honestly sounds lovely, regardless of where you stand politically. But here's where they actually stand.

If you care about animal welfare, you'll want to know what they're pushing for:

• Banning greyhound racing

• Phasing out animal experimentation

• Banning horse racing

• And urgent climate action with a focus on plant agriculture.

But they're not just about the animals. Their social policies include supporting universal access to abortion, welcoming refugees, decriminalising cannabis, and raising the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14.

You'll find their candidates across most of Australia, except for the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Tasmania.

Image: Animal Justice Party.

Australian Christians Party.

If you're looking for conservative values, meet the Australian Christians Party. They're hoping to elect a "Christian voice amidst the voices in parliament" and aren't shy about their positions.

They're fiercely pro-life and want education reformed, so the curriculum is based on what they call Judeo-Christian values instead of "radical ideologies" (their words, not mine).

Their key policies will make some voters cheer and others cringe:

• Repealing amendments that approved abortion access

• Opposing assisted suicide reforms

• Restructuring the NDIS to support the most vulnerable

• Fighting against transgender and LGBTQIA+ rights (including marriage equality)

• Improving housing affordability

• And protecting religious freedoms in schools.

If you're in Western Australia or New South Wales, you'll find their candidates on your ballot.

Image: Australian Christians Party.

Australian Citizens Party.

Formerly the Citizens Electoral Council, these folks are all about economics and business. Think of them as the "let's make the post office a people's bank" party.

They've got big ideas about banking, infrastructure, and they're not fans of climate change "hysteria and alarmism" (again, their words).

Their policy grab-bag includes:

• Anti-AUKUS stance with a push for independent foreign policy

• Supporting an Australian republic

• Returning electricity to state ownership

• Making housing more affordable by banning negative gearing and reducing capital gains tax discounts

• Revitalising healthcare

• Banning corporate political donations (only individuals can donate)

• And ending the mistreatment of asylum seekers and refugees.

Here's where it gets weird: they've dabbled in some pretty wild conspiracy theories, including pamphlets claiming that Queen Elizabeth II ordered Princess Diana's assassination. They've also suggested climate change action is part of Prince Philip's secret plan to depopulate the planet. Yes, really.

They've got candidates in Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia and New South Wales.

Image: Australian Citizens Party.

Australian Democrats.

Remember these guys? They were once Senate powerhouses with their "Keep the Bastards Honest" slogan, but they've lost a bit of their voting mojo over the years.

Their policies aren't a million miles from the Greens, focusing on evidence-based governance, integrity, truth and transparency.

If you're wondering what they stand for in 2025:

• Raising the tax-free threshold from $18,200 to a whopping $45,000 a year

• Cutting the capital gains tax discount from 50 per cent to 25 per cent

• Ending offshore detention of refugees

• Addressing the gender pay gap

• Opposing nuclear energy

• Lifting welfare payments above the poverty line

• Supporting LGBTQIA+ rights

• And better funding for mental health services.

You'll find them in New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland.

Image: Australian Democrats.

Australia's Voice.

New kid on the political block! Founded in 2024 by former Labor Senator Fatima Payman after she famously crossed the floor to support recognising Palestinian statehood (while Labor voted against the motion).

Their policy platform includes:

• Limiting negative gearing and reducing capital gains tax discounts

• Creating a government-backed bank through Australia Post

• Breaking up the Coles and Woolworths duopoly

• Supporting an Australian republic

• Calling for an end to what they describe as "the genocide of Palestinian people"

• Raising the HECS debt repayment threshold

• Requiring parliamentary votes before Australia goes to war

• And lifting welfare payments above the poverty line.

Look for them in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.

Image: Australia's Voice.

Centre Alliance.

As the name suggests, these folks sit in the political middle. Formerly known as the Nick Xenophon Team, they're South Australia-based with a mix of socially liberal and populist policies.

They're down to just one MP now — Rebekha Sharkie, who's running to keep her seat of Mayo. She's basically functioning as an independent but has kept the party registration going.

Sharkie champions:

• Cost of living relief

• Better health outcomes for regional Australians

• Local infrastructure funding

• And regional housing solutions.

Spot them only in South Australia.

Rebekha Sharkie from the Centre Alliance. Image: Rebekha Sharkie MP.

Dai Le & Frank Carbone W.S.C.

If you're in Western Sydney, you'll recognise these names. This party (officially Western Sydney Community) was formed in 2023 specifically to challenge the major parties in federal seats across Western Sydney.

They're laser-focused on improving infrastructure and services for Western Sydney, which they argue has been neglected by the major parties.

Their key policies:

• Increasing the Medicare rebate

• Creating incentives for GPs to work in communities like Fowler

• Supporting small businesses by bumping the instant asset write-off to $50,000

• Cutting the fuel excise

• And raising the tax-free threshold to ease cost of living pressures.

As you'd expect, they're only running in Western Sydney seats.

Image: Dai Le.

David Pocock.

The former Wallabies star turned politician sits as an independent in the Senate but registered as a political party so he could appear above the line on the ballot.

His priorities include:

• Reforming student debt indexation (good news for anyone with HELP debt)

• Sensible reforms to "overly generous" negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions

• Introducing a 10-year national housing plan

• Medicare reform to boost bulk billing in the ACT

• Transitioning homes from gas to electricity to reduce energy bills

• Replacing stamp duty with land taxes

• Climate action focused on duty of care to young people

• Breaking up supermarket monopolies.

Pocock's candidates are only in the ACT.

Image: David Pocock.

Family First Party Australia.

If you're thinking about "traditional family values," you're on the right track. These Christian conservatives want to put family at the forefront of public policy.

They're pro-life, sceptical about climate change, and really don't like what they describe as "woke" diversity training... yeah.

Their policy wishlist includes:

• Removing LGBTQIA+ material from schools and early childhood centres

• Abolishing preferred pronouns in public servant email signatures

• Removing anti-vilification and anti-discrimination law provisions

• Closing drug injection centres

• Banning trans women and girls from sports and "private spaces"

• "Encouraging and incentivising" heterosexual marriage

• Pursuing nuclear energy

• And tax incentives for married couples to have children.

You'll find them in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria.

Image: Family First Party Australia.

Fusion | Planet Rescue | Whistleblower Protection | Innovation.

With possibly the longest party name in Australian politics, this group is exactly what it sounds like — a "fusion" of multiple minor parties (Science, Pirate, Secular, Vote Planet and Climate Change Justice).

Their policies include:

• Reversing climate change to pre-industrial CO2 levels

• Ending fossil fuel extraction in just two years

• Reaching 800 per cent renewable energy

• Treating housing as a human right and tripling public housing

• Expanding Medicare to include mental and dental care

• Supporting LGBTQIA+ rights

• Overturning the nuclear power ban to research fusion energy

• Protecting digital rights and privacy

• And fully funding all levels of education.

They're running in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.

Image: Fusion Party Australia.

Gerard Rennick People First.

Queensland Senator Gerard Rennick founded this new conservative party with a heavy focus on tax reform. If you're into economic conservatism, this one might catch your eye.

Their policy platform:

• Increasing the tax-free threshold to $40,000

• Making super contributions optional

• Reducing corporate tax to 25 per cent

• Re-establishing a public bank and government insurance office

• Directing childcare subsidies straight to parents

• Exiting the WHO and Paris Agreement

• Limiting immigration to under 100,000 work visas annually

• And supporting coal, nuclear, gas and hydro energy while opposing renewables.

Look for them in South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland.

Image: Gerard Rennick People First.

Health Environment Accountability Rights Transparency (HEART).

Previously known as the Involuntary Medication Objectors Party (quite a mouthful), this group is sceptical about vaccines and fluoride in drinking water. They're fans of alternative medicine and want "independent studies" into technologies like 5G.

Their key policies:

• The right to refuse medical procedures without coercion

• Protecting the right to use cash for any transaction

• Defending individual rights and freedoms

• Demanding transparency about environmental effects of renewable energy

• Lower taxes and less regulation

• Reassessing Australia's involvement in the UN and WHO

• And calling for a Royal Commission into the COVID-19 pandemic response.

If you're into medical freedom and sceptical of mainstream health approaches, you'll find them in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and the ACT.

Image: HEART Party.

Indigenous-Aboriginal Party.

Founded by Uncle Owen Whyman, a Paakindji man from Wilcannia, this is Australia's first political party focused specifically on Indigenous people. It's a grassroots movement offering "an alternative to the main parties."

Their policy focus is on:

• Addressing high Indigenous incarceration rates

• Stopping what they call the "second wave" of the stolen generation

• Improving education outcomes for Indigenous youth

• Protecting sacred sites

• Working toward treaty and constitutional recognition

• Increasing funding to prevent youth suicide

• Indigenous control of Indigenous education

• And returning to traditional ways of caring for country.

They're running candidates in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales.

Image: Indigenous-Aboriginal Party of Australia.

Jacqui Lambie Network.

Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie formed her own party focusing on veterans' affairs, anti-corruption measures, Australian manufacturing, and keeping an eye on foreign interference (especially from China).

Her network's priorities include:

• Improving healthcare access (particularly in regional areas)

• Investing in regional infrastructure

• Better support services for veterans

• Freezing foreign investment in residential properties

• Installing solar batteries for social housing to cut power bills

• And cracking down on multinational tax avoidance.

As you'd expect from the name, her party is only running in Tasmania.

Image: Jacqui Lambie Network.

Katter's Australia Party.

Former Nationals MP Bob Katter has been a political fixture in North Queensland for decades. His right-wing party wants to relax firearm restrictions, cull crocodiles, lower power prices, and boost North Queensland infrastructure.

Their policy mix includes:

• Tough-on-crime measures like sending young offenders to remote facilities

• Treating youth offenders who commit serious crimes as adults

• Introducing "Castle Law" allowing homeowners to defend against intruders

• Investing in nuclear energy

• Restoring coal and gas power stations

• Abandoning emissions reduction targets

• Reducing grocery prices

• Abolishing stamp duty

• And broadening first home owner grants.

They're a Queensland-only party.

Image: Katter's Australia Party.

Legalise Cannabis Australia.

No prizes for guessing what these folks want! They're pushing for cannabis legalisation, arguing it would reduce crime and free up policing resources.

Beyond the obvious, they support:

• Easier access to medical cannabis

• Allowing adults to grow cannabis plants at home

• Regulated retail sales

• Decriminalising cannabis-related offences

• And promoting hemp for environmental benefits like carbon sequestration.

You'll find them in Victoria and NSW.

Image: Legalise Cannabis Australia.

Libertarian Party.

Freedom lovers, unite! This party champions individual liberties, free choice, and minimal government control.

If you believe the government that governs least governs best, this might be your crowd.

Their freedom-focused agenda includes:

• Scrapping regulatory bodies like the e-Safety Commission

• Enshrining free speech in the Constitution

• Abolishing section 18c of the Racial Discrimination Act

• Making superannuation voluntary

• Opposing mandatory digital IDs

• Maintaining a strong military

• Withdrawing from UN refugee programs and the WHO

• Raising the tax-free threshold to $50,000 for individuals

• Reducing immigration

• Repealing transgender protections

• And abolishing the Federal Department of Education.

They're running in Victoria and NSW.

Image: Libertarian Party.

Pauline Hanson's One Nation.

You've definitely heard of this one. The right-wing nationalist party founded by Pauline Hanson focuses on reducing immigration, protecting free speech (as they define it), and denying climate science.

Their platform includes:

• Enshrining free speech in the constitution

• Withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, UN Refugee Convention and WHO

• Introducing a GST moratorium on building materials

• Keeping essential services away from foreign investors

• Implementing an eight-year waiting period for citizenship and welfare

• Removing what they call "Western, white, gender, guilt-shaming" from classrooms

• Anti-abortion stance

• Abolishing the Department of Climate Change

• Promoting coal and gas energy alongside nuclear power

• And halving the fuel excise for three years.

They're running candidates in South Australia and NSW.

Image: Pauline Hanson's One Nation.

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party.

As the name suggests, this country-focused right-wing party is all about rural and regional issues, particularly those affecting people who... well, shoot, fish, and farm.

Their key policies:

• Expanding recreational access to public lands for shooting and fishing

• Promoting outdoor activities in schools

• Scepticism about climate change

• Increasing funding for regional services and infrastructure

• Reducing regulation on responsible gun ownership

• Cracking down on illegal firearms

• Developing nuclear energy

• And giving farmers the right to refuse mining operations on their land.

Look for them in NSW and Tasmania.

Image: Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party.

Socialist Alliance.

Welcome to the far left! These democratic socialists are proudly anti-capitalist, pro-public ownership, and against privatisation.

Their agenda includes:

• Free healthcare for all

• Nationalising mines, banks, energy companies and other infrastructure

• Negotiating treaties with First Nations

• Putting politicians on an average worker's wage

• Lowering the voting age to 16

• Extending anti-discrimination laws

• Cutting military spending by at least 50 per cent

• Increasing the minimum wage to $35/hour

• Free public education

• Supporting Palestinian liberation

• Introducing a 30-hour work week with no loss of pay

• Capping private rents for 10 years

• And shifting to 100 per cent renewable energy.

They're running in Victoria and NSW.

Image: Socialist Alliance.

Sustainable Australia Party - Universal Basic Income.

This party describes itself as science and evidence-based, with a mission to "de-corrupt politics for a fair and sustainable Australia."

Their big focus is population. They want to slow Australia's growth to keep our population below 30 million by 2050.

Their policy suite includes:

• Reducing immigration to 70,000 per year

• Free contraception and family planning services

• Universal basic income for everyone (hence the party name addition)

• Creating a full employment guarantee program

• Free university and TAFE

• Including dental care in Medicare

• Banning new coal mines and fracking

• Protecting animal habitats

• Economic diversification for self-sufficiency

• Transitioning to a zero-waste economy

• And abolishing negative gearing and the capital gains discount.

You'll find their candidates nationwide.

Image: Sustainable Australia Party - Universal Basic Income.

Tammy Tyrrell for Tasmania.

Tasmania's only independent Senator, Tammy Tyrrell, is running under her newly registered party for the 2025 election.

Her policy priorities include:

• Legalising cannabis

• Improving access to early childhood education

• Introducing ALDI to Tasmania to break the Coles-Woolworths duopoly

• Supporting the salmon farming industry

• And streamlining superannuation administration.

As you might have guessed from the name, she's only running in Tasmania.

Senator Tammy Tyrell. Image: Tammy Tyrrell for Tasmania.

The Great Australia Party.

This unusual mix of right and left-wing ideas was founded by former One Nation member Rodney Culleton, who had a brief and controversial stint as a WA senator before being disqualified by the High Court due to bankruptcy (which he still disputes).

Their eccentric policy platform includes:

• Questioning the validity of the Federal Court's existence

• Denying local government is a legitimate tier of government

• Developing cleaner energy technologies

• Opposing fracking

• Abolishing the Family Law Court in favour of a tribunal

• Fighting carbon taxes

• Supporting gun ownership

• Advocating for "net zero immigration"

• And turning back asylum seeker boats before they enter Australian waters.

They've got candidates in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.

Image: The Great Australia Party.

Trumpet of Patriots.

Chaired by billionaire Clive Palmer (yes, him again), this far-right nationalist party is essentially trying to import Trump-style politics to Australia. They position themselves as a populist alternative to the major parties.

Their Trumpian policy platform includes:

• Abolishing Australia's net-zero emissions targets

• Scepticism about climate change policies generally

• Capping interest rates at 3 per cent

• Creating a government department to eliminate "bureaucratic inefficiencies"

• Banning transgender athletes from women's sports

• Legally recognising only two genders

• Establishing an Australian "DOGE" (Department of Government Efficiency) to "drain the swamp"

• Cutting "wasteful spending" including Welcome to Country ceremonies

• Reducing regulation on private industry

• Allowing Australians to use 30 per cent of their super for housing deposits

• Opposing renewable energy

• And cutting immigration and prioritising migrants with "compatible values".

You'll find their candidates nationwide.

Image: Trumpet of Patriots.

Victorian Socialists.

These democratic socialists are focused on challenging corporate power and advocating for working-class interests, primarily in Victoria.

Their agenda includes:

• Universal housing access

• Higher taxes on corporations and the wealthy

• Putting politicians on an average worker's wage

• Fighting racism and promoting gender equality

• Anti-capitalism and anti-war stances

• Opposing nuclear weapons

• Renationalising the Commonwealth Bank and Telstra

• Freezing rent increases for five years

• Rejecting nuclear energy

• Transitioning to zero emissions by 2035

• Public ownership of utilities

And as the name suggests, they're only running in Victoria.

Image: Victorian Socialists.

Now you're armed with the knowledge to navigate that marathon ballot paper!

Whether you're passionate about animal rights, cannabis legalisation, Christian values, or bringing down capitalism, there's a minor party out there for you.

Remember, in Australia's preferential voting system, supporting a minor party doesn't mean "wasting" your vote — you can always preference a major party later in your voting order.

Who knew democracy could be so... diverse?

Feature image: TikTok/@michelleobyrnemp/Getty.