If a referendum is held and the result is a tie, does the Governor-General have a casting vote?

No, the Governor-General does not have a casting vote in a referendum.

A referendum is a vote by the Australian people to change the Australian Constitution. A referendum will only be successful if it is supported by a majority of voters in a majority of states, and by a majority of voters across the nation as a whole – a double majority. In the unlikely event that a referendum result is an exact tie, it would be unsuccessful.

The Australian Constitution can only be changed through a referendum with the support of a double majority.

Changing the Australian Constitution – double majority.

Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)

Changing the Australian Constitution – double majority.

The Australian Constitution can only be changed through a referendum with the support of a double majority.

Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)

Description

This image shows how the Australian Constitution can only be changed with the support of the majority of Australian voters and the majority of voters in the majority of states (ie at least 4 states).

Votes from the ACT, NT and other territories are counted in the national majority only.