Micro parties face a tougher task in the wake of Senate voting reforms. PIC: AEC

In the lead up to the July 2 federal election, the reforms are pushing micro parties to respond in different ways.

Some are gearing for revenge, building coalitions that they hope will help them to retain influence, even survive.

But the fate of the varied and sometimes obscure smaller players in Australian politics does not rest entirely in their own hands, with many micro parties believing a lack of voter education could deprive them of critical votes come polling day.

They have urged the Australian Electoral Commission to better explain the reforms to the electorate to ensure that votes end up where they were intended.

Audio report by Daniel Connell.