A person who is serving a sentence of imprisonment of less than three years and satisfies the other requirements for enrolment (that is, they are 18 years of age and an Australian citizen) can enrol for federal elections at an address where they were last eligible to enrol. If they have not previously been entitled to enrol they can enrol for the division where their next of kin is currently enrolled or, if there is no next of kin, where they were born. Australian citizens who were not born in Australia can enrol where they have the closest connection.

A person who is serving a sentence of imprisonment of three years or more is not entitled to enrol or vote.

The rules for prisoner enrolment and voting are different in each state and territory. Please refer to the appropriate state prisoner enrolment form for further information.

• Australian Capital Territory [PDF 92k]
• New South Wales [PDF 73k]
• Northern Territory [PDF 70k]
• Queensland [PDF 75k]
• South Australia [PDF 93k]
• Tasmania [PDF 72k]
• Victoria [PDF 72k]
• Western Australia [PDF 67k]

Contact your local AEC office

The AEC is organised on a wide geographic basis, with a National Office located in Canberra and a State Office in each capital city. In addition, there are separate Divisional Offices that service the 150 House of Representatives electoral divisions. For assistance completing AEC forms, or for more information, please contact your local AEC office.