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Australian Electoral Commission

Voting options

Voting before election day

You can vote early either in person or by post if on election day you:

  • are outside the electorate where you are enrolled to vote
  • are more than 8km from a polling place
  • are travelling
  • are unable to leave your workplace to vote
  • are seriously ill, infirm or due to give birth shortly (or caring for someone who is)
  • are a patient in hospital and can't vote at the hospital
  • have religious beliefs that prevent you from attending a polling place
  • are in prison serving a sentence of less than three years or otherwise detained
  • are a silent elector
  • have a reasonable fear for your safety.

In person at an early voting centre

If you can’t get to a polling place on election day you can vote at an early voting centre in Australia. A list of early voting centres will be available in the weeks after an election is announced.

If you're overseas

If you’re overseas during the federal election period, you can vote at an overseas voting centre or by post. A list of overseas voting centres will be available in the weeks after a federal election is announced.

Postal voting

After an election is announced, you can apply for a postal vote to have your ballot papers sent to you in the mail. You can apply online via the AEC website, or by completing a postal vote application form available from AEC offices at election time.

AEC mobile voting

AEC mobile polling teams visit many voters who are not able to get to a polling place. Mobile polling facilities are set up in some hospitals, nursing homes, prisons and remote areas of Australia. Mobile polling is carried out around Australia during the election period.

A list of locations the AEC will be visiting will be available in the weeks after an election is announced.

Telephone voting

If you are blind or have low vision, you can cast your vote through the AEC’s telephone voting service. More information on this service will be made available in the weeks after a federal election is announced.

Voters living with a disability may also be eligible to cast their vote by post, or can vote with assistance at a polling place.

Voting on election day

You can vote at any polling place in your state or territory on election day. Polling places are usually located at local schools, churches and community halls, or public buildings.

A list of polling places will be available in the weeks after a federal election is announced.

Travelling interstate?

If on election day you are outside the state or territory where you are enrolled, you will need to vote at an interstate voting centre.

A list of interstate voting centre will be available in the weeks after a federal election is announced.

See Also

Updated: 3 December 2019

The AEC acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

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© Australian Electoral Commission 2021

Authorised by the Electoral Commissioner, Canberra

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