The Electoral Commission has ordered a recount in the Queensland seat of Fairfax after counting showed billionaire Clive Palmer finished seven votes ahead.

A redistribution of preferences was required after an initial vote count put Mr Palmer 36 votes ahead of his Liberal-National Party opponent Ted O'Brien.

That found Mr Palmer won by seven votes after preferences.

The Commission automatically orders a recount any time the margin is fewer than 100 votes, and a recount of votes will begin on Thursday.

That will be the only recount held, subject to possible court appeals.

Mr Palmer has repeatedly claimed there was evidence of voter fraud in the Sunshine Coast electorate.

He has previously questioned why voters are not required to present identification when voting and has queried the use of pencils to mark ballots.

"It does mean it's open to abuse. The evidence we've got, which I didn't continue with, indicates there's been fraud," he has said.

"It's not a proper process, it wouldn't get through a United Nations election standard."