The Act excluded natives of Australia, Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands (other than New Zealand) from the federal franchise, unless they were already enrolled to vote in an Australian state.

The Act gave Australian women the right to vote and stand for parliament at the federal level unless they fell into one of the categories of people excluded from the franchise.

[1] In Queensland, 'Aboriginal natives of Australia, India, China or the South Sea Islands' could not vote unless they met a property qualification.

The bill was introduced into the Senate by Richard O'Connor, the Vice-President of the Executive Council, and later in the House of Representatives by the Minister for Home Affairs, William Lyne.

[2][7] Section 44 of the constitution disqualifies a range of people from being elected to the House of Representatives or the Senate, such as any person with an allegiance to a foreign power (such as a citizen of another country), or anyone who is bankrupt or insolvent.

"[a] Much of the opposition to the granting of women's suffrage in the Act was grounded in the belief that, in the words of William Knox, "the main ambition of a woman's life should be to become the wife of an honourable and honest man.

[2] The Barton government originally intended that Aboriginal Australians should have the right to vote in federal elections, but the proposal met strong opposition in parliament.

Most of the opponents of an Indigenous federal franchise, however, claimed that Aboriginal Australians were not fit to vote in elections or stand for parliament.

"[9] The bill was amended in light of this opposition and the Act disqualified natives of Australia, Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands (except New Zealand Māori ) from voting in federal elections, unless they were entitled under section 41 of the constitution.