During a federal electoral event voters who are blind or have low vision can cast a vote using the AEC’s dedicated telephone voting service. Telephone voting is also available for those stationed in Antarctica.

This service allows eligible electors to cast a secret vote using a telephone assisted process. The vote is completed with the assistance of staff while maintaining the voters’ anonymity during the process.

The service allows the voter to register and vote in secret from any location without attending an AEC office or polling place.

This service is only available during the voting period for a federal electoral event. The service operates for eligible electors to register and vote for the 10 business days immediately prior to polling day (excluding national public holidays) and on polling day. The operating hours are 8:30am to 5:30pm Australian Eastern Time (AET) Monday to Friday and 8am to 6pm AET on polling day.

Telephone voting – how it works

Telephone voting is a simple two-step process for the elector. The secret ballot and electoral integrity are of utmost importance.

Step one: Register for telephone vote

• The elector calls the AEC to register for telephone voting.
• The elector provides their personal information to be verified on the electoral roll.
• The elector confirms their eligibility to use the telephone voting service.
• The elector selects a six-digit personal identification number (PIN).
• The AEC sends an eight-digit telephone voting registration number via SMS, email, or a follow-up phone call.

Step two: Cast your vote

• The elector calls the AEC again to cast their vote, without providing their name.
• The elector gives their eight-digit registration number and six-digit PIN to the voting assistant, who enters these into the AEC system.
• Record the vote:
  • A voting assistant records the elector’s vote.
  • A second voting assistant acts as a witness to ensure the vote is recorded accurately.
• The voting assistant or witness reads back the recorded vote to the elector to confirm accuracy.
• The completed ballot paper is placed in an envelope marked with the elector’s division and deposited into a sealed ballot box.