How to Vote in Australia — What New Citizens Need to Know

Voting Is Compulsory — Yes, Really

This surprises many new citizens: in Australia, voting is not optional. Every Australian citizen aged 18 and over must vote in federal, state, and local government elections. If you don't vote without a valid reason, you'll receive a fine.

The fines for not voting:

• Federal elections: $20 initial fine, increasing to $110+ if unpaid or contested
• State elections: $55-$110 depending on the state
• Local council elections: Varies, typically $55-$110

Valid reasons for not voting include being overseas, being ill, having a religious objection, or being more than 8km from a polling place without access to pre-poll or postal voting. "I forgot" or "I didn't know who to vote for" are not valid excuses.

How to Enrol to Vote

Before you can vote, you must be enrolled. Enrolment is also compulsory. Here's how:

1. Go to the AEC (Australian Electoral Commission) website
2. Click "Enrol to vote" or "Update my enrolment"
3. You'll need your name, address, date of birth, and either a driver's licence number or passport number for identity verification
4. Submit the form online — it takes about 5 minutes
5. You'll receive confirmation by post within a few weeks

When to update your enrolment:

• When you move to a new address
• When you change your name
• When you turn 18 (you can pre-enrol from age 16)

Note: If you update your address with Medicare or Centrelink, your electoral enrolment may be automatically updated (in some states), but it's best to check and update it yourself to be sure.

Types of Elections

Australia has three levels of government, each with its own elections:

Federal Elections (Every 3 Years)

Federal elections choose members of the House of Representatives (your local MP) and the Senate (state representatives). The party or coalition with the most seats in the House of Representatives forms the government, and their leader becomes Prime Minister. Federal elections are always held on a Saturday.

State/Territory Elections (Every 4 Years)

Each state and territory has its own parliament with its own elections. These determine your state government, state Premier, and state policies on things like health, education, transport, and police. State elections are also held on Saturdays.

Local Council Elections (Every 3-4 Years)

Local councils manage your immediate area — rubbish collection, local roads, parks, building approvals, and community services. Council elections are sometimes held by postal vote only. Rules vary by state.

Preferential Voting Explained

Australia uses preferential voting (also called ranked-choice voting), which is different from the "first past the post" system used in countries like the US and UK. Here's how it works:

How It Works

1. You number every candidate in order of your preference (1 for your first choice, 2 for your second, and so on)
2. If any candidate gets more than 50% of first-preference votes, they win immediately
3. If no one gets 50%, the candidate with the fewest first-preference votes is eliminated
4. Those eliminated votes are redistributed to each voter's second preference
5. This continues until one candidate has more than 50%

How to Fill Out the Ballot Paper

House of Representatives (Green Ballot Paper)

The House of Representatives ballot is typically a small green paper with candidates listed. You must number every box in order of preference. If there are 6 candidates, you number them 1 through 6. Missing a number or repeating a number makes your vote informal (invalid).

Senate (White Ballot Paper)

The Senate ballot paper is large (sometimes over a metre wide!) and has two sections separated by a thick black line:

• Above the line: Vote for parties. Number at least 6 boxes above the line in order of preference. This is the easier option — most people vote above the line.
• Below the line: Vote for individual candidates. Number at least 12 boxes below the line. This gives you more control but takes longer.

Choose one method — either above OR below the line. Don't do both.

What Happens on Election Day

Federal and state elections are always held on a Saturday. Here's what to expect:

1. Find your polling place. The AEC website has a tool to find your nearest polling place based on your address. Polling places are usually at schools, community centres, and church halls.
2. Arrive any time between 8am and 6pm. Bring nothing — you don't need ID to vote (though it helps if there's a problem with your enrolment).
3. Queue up. Lines are usually short (5-15 minutes), but can be longer at busy times (late morning).
4. Get your name marked off. Tell the electoral officer your name and address. They'll find you on the roll and mark you as having attended.
5. Receive your ballot papers. You'll get the green House of Representatives paper and the white Senate paper (for federal elections).
6. Go to a voting booth. Cardboard booths with pencils are provided. Fill out your ballots in private.
7. Put your ballots in the ballot boxes. There are separate boxes for the House and Senate.
8. Grab a democracy sausage on your way out.

Pre-Poll & Postal Voting

If you can't vote on election day, you have options:

Pre-Poll Voting

Pre-poll voting centres open about 2-3 weeks before election day. You can vote early in person at these centres without needing a reason. This has become very popular — in recent elections, around 30% of voters used pre-poll. Find pre-poll centres on the AEC website.

Postal Voting

You can apply for a postal vote through the AEC website. Ballot papers will be mailed to you, and you fill them out at home and mail them back. Apply early — postal votes take time to process. Postal voting is useful if you'll be travelling, are ill, or live far from a polling place.

Australian Political Parties — A Brief Overview

Australia has two major political blocs plus several smaller parties. Here's a neutral overview to help you understand the landscape:

The Coalition (Centre-Right)

• Liberal Party — the larger partner, traditionally focused on free enterprise, individual liberty, and smaller government
• National Party — the rural/regional partner, focused on agricultural and regional issues

Australian Labor Party (Centre-Left)

Historically the party of workers and trade unions. Focuses on workers' rights, public services, healthcare, and education. Forms the alternative government to the Coalition.

Other Parties

• Greens — left-leaning, focused on environmental issues, social justice, and progressive policies
• Independents — increasingly popular "teal independents" have won seats in traditionally safe Liberal seats, focused on climate action and integrity
• One Nation — right-wing, focused on immigration restriction and populist policies
• United Australia Party — founded by Clive Palmer, populist right-wing

The Democracy Sausage Tradition

No guide to Australian voting would be complete without mentioning the democracy sausage. On election day, many polling places run sausage sizzles (BBQs) and cake stalls to raise money for schools and community groups.

Buying a sausage in bread (with onions and tomato sauce, of course) after casting your vote has become an unofficial Australian tradition. It's so beloved that the website democracysausage.org maps which polling places have sausage sizzles so you can plan your voting accordingly.

The typical democracy sausage costs $2-$3 and goes to a good cause. Some polling places also have cake stalls, coffee, and other fundraising activities. It turns election day into a genuine community event — one of the things that makes Australian democracy unique.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is voting compulsory in Australia?

Yes, voting is compulsory for all Australian citizens aged 18 and over. If you don't vote without a valid reason, you can be fined $20-$110 or more. Australia is one of about 20 countries worldwide with compulsory voting, and it results in voter turnout of around 90-95%.

How do I enrol to vote in Australia?

Enrol online at the AEC website using your driver's licence or passport number. After becoming a citizen, enrol immediately. You must be enrolled to vote — it's not automatic. Update your enrolment whenever you change address. Read our Citizenship Test Guide if you're still preparing for citizenship.

How does preferential voting work in Australia?

In the House of Representatives, number every box in order of preference (1, 2, 3, etc.). If your first choice is eliminated, your vote transfers to your second preference. In the Senate, number at least 6 boxes above the line (parties) or at least 12 below the line (individual candidates). This system ensures winners have broad majority support.

What is a democracy sausage?

A democracy sausage is the iconic sausage in bread sold at BBQs outside polling places on election day. It's an unofficial Australian tradition that turns voting into a community event. The website democracysausage.org even maps which polling places have sausage sizzles. Cost is typically $2-$3 and goes to local schools or charities.

When do I first need to vote after becoming an Australian citizen?

You must vote in the next federal, state, and local government election after becoming a citizen and enrolling. Federal elections are held every 3 years, state elections every 4 years. Enrol immediately after your citizenship ceremony so you're ready when the next election is called.

Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about voting in Australia. Electoral rules can change — always check the AEC website for the most current information. SettleAU is not affiliated with the AEC or any political party. This guide is politically neutral and does not endorse any party or candidate.