How to Vote in Australian Federal Elections
A neutral guide for new citizens: enrolment deadlines, early-voting eligibility, ballot numbering and a practical polling-day checklist.
In this guide
Who needs to enrol and vote?
This is a guide to federal elections. The AEC says eligible Australian citizens must enrol and vote. The ordinary enrolment criteria are citizenship, age 18 or over and at least one month at your address. You may enrol at 16 or 17 to be ready to vote at 18. Special categories need separate checks.
If you receive an apparent failure-to-vote notice, respond by its deadline. You can explain that you voted or provide a valid and sufficient reason if you did not; the AEC assesses the response. Its federal administrative penalty is $20. Ignoring the notice can lead to further action. See AEC non-voter instructions.
Enrol, check and update your details
- Use the official AEC enrolment page; do not rely only on receiving a citizenship certificate.
- Follow the identity-evidence choices on the form and check your address is current.
- Keep the receipt and use the AEC status check to confirm processing.
- Update after a move and check your details when an election is announced.
If you lack a fixed address, are overseas or need to keep your address private for safety, use the AEC’s special-category enrolment guidance.
Check which election the notice is for
A federal election chooses your House of Representatives member and, usually, senators for your state or territory. State/territory and local government elections are separate events. Their deadlines, eligibility, voting requirements and ballot instructions can differ. Use the responsible electoral commission named on the official notice.
This page does not reproduce election-specific polling locations or predict the next election date. Check the current AEC event information before arranging travel.
Rank your choices in order
Preferences let you put candidates or groups in your own order. A party’s how-to-vote card is a suggestion, not an instruction you must follow. Use consecutive numbers and read each ballot separately; the House and Senate instructions are different.
Complete the two federal ballots
| Ballot | What to do | Official practice |
|---|---|---|
| House of Representatives (green) | Number every box consecutively: 1 for your first preference, then 2, 3 and so on until every candidate has a number. | House instructions |
| Senate (white) | Choose either at least 6 boxes above the line for parties/groups, or at least 12 boxes below the line for individual candidates, numbered consecutively in your preference order. | Senate instructions |
Check for duplicate or missing numbers before submitting. Do not write your name on the ballot. If you make a mistake, ask an official for a fresh paper. Blank or incorrectly completed ballots may be informal and not counted; voting is more than having a name marked off.
Make a polling-day plan
Federal polling places normally open 8am–6pm local time on polling day. Verify your venue, opening time and accessibility through the AEC. Allow time for queues and travel.
- Tell the official your name and enrolled address and answer whether you have already voted in the election.
- Receive the appropriate ballot papers and read their instructions.
- Mark your choices privately. Ask for help if you need it.
- Check and place the papers in the correct ballot boxes.
Do not cast a second vote because you are unsure whether a postal vote arrived; ask the AEC what to do. If you are outside your enrolled state or territory, use an interstate voting centre rather than assuming every venue can issue your papers.
Early and postal voting are conditional
AEC early-voting eligibility includes being away from your electorate or travelling on polling day, being unable to leave work, relevant illness/disability/caring circumstances, religious restrictions or reasonable safety concerns. Check the full list and choose the applicable route.
For postal voting, apply through the official AEC route, allow delivery time, and follow the ballot’s witness and return instructions. Application, completion and receipt deadlines are different. Check them for the actual election; an old election’s dates are not reusable. Overseas and accessible voting have their own options.
Research your choices independently
Start with the official candidate list for your electorate. Compare the candidates’ own stated policies on issues that matter to you, check the dates of claims and distinguish a party advertisement from electoral instructions. SettleAU does not recommend a party or candidate.
Optional polling-place extras
Some venues have a community barbecue or fundraiser, sometimes called a democracy sausage. Availability, payment options and dietary choices vary. Buying anything is optional and separate from voting.
Frequently asked questions
Can a permanent resident vote in a federal election?
Permanent residence alone does not give federal voting eligibility. The ordinary enrolment route is for Australian citizens aged 18 or over who have lived at their address for at least one month. Special rules include eligible British subjects; check the AEC.
Does enrolment close seven days before election day?
No. For federal elections, rolls close at 8pm seven calendar days after the date the writ is issued. Use the AEC’s published deadline for the particular election.
Can anyone vote early without a reason?
Early voting has eligibility conditions. Check the AEC list, including travel, being outside your electorate, inability to leave work, illness, disability, caring, religious or safety circumstances.
Is getting my name marked off enough?
Enrolment and voting are compulsory for eligible citizens. Do not treat getting marked off or returning a blank ballot as the voting instruction. Follow the ballot directions; a blank ballot is informal and is not counted towards a candidate.
What if I make a mistake on my ballot?
Before putting it in the ballot box, return it to the polling official who issued it and ask for a fresh ballot. You can ask officials for help understanding the instructions without asking them how you should vote.
Are council voting rules the same everywhere?
No. Local and state/territory elections have their own eligibility, compulsory-voting and ballot rules. Check the electoral commission responsible for that election rather than applying this federal guide.