Media Release 2010: All Australian citizens encouraged to enrol to vote on Australia Day 2010

19 January 2010

As thousands of the newest citizens enrol to vote this Australia Day, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is urging all Australian citizens to make sure they are enrolled to vote as a federal election is likely to be held sometime this year.

Electoral Commissioner, Ed Killesteyn said enrolling to vote was an important part of fully participating in Australian life and it was a concern that over 1.3 million eligible Australians are currently not enrolled.

"A federal election could be held sometime in 2010, so this Australia Day is an opportune time for all eligible Australians to make sure they are enrolled to vote or, if they have recently moved, to check that their enrolled address is up-to-date," Mr Killesteyn said.

"Some Australians have missed out on their vote at previous federal elections because they were not enrolled, but by simply completing an enrolment form you are registered to vote in the next federal election."

Mr Killesteyn said AEC staff would be on hand at citizenship ceremonies across Australia to assist our newest citizens to immediately take up their democratic right of enrolling to vote, and he looked forward to these new citizens joining the new Australians who have enrolled at Australian Day citizenship ceremonies over previous years.

To enrol to vote or update your enrolment simply complete and return an enrolment form, which is available on the AEC website at www.aec.gov.au, or pick up a form at any AEC office, Australia Post outlet, or at any Medicare, Centrelink, or Australian Tax Office.

It's compulsory for all Australian citizens aged 18 years and older to enrol to vote, and you must be enrolled before you can vote in Australian elections.

The AEC website also has enrolment information translated into 26 languages and contact details for the telephone interpreter service.

To check your enrolment or find out more information visit the AEC website at www.aec.gov.au or call the AEC on 13 23 26.

Media contacts

Phil Diak | Director Media
AEC, Canberra
02 6271 4415
0413 452 539