Information for people with disability

On this page

This website features ReadSpeaker which reads the page content aloud. Click on the ‘Listen’ button at the top of this page to access this application. You can also save any content from the AEC’s website as an MP3 file.

Your official guide to the Farrer by-election is being mailed to all households in the division of Farrer. It's also available on the Farrer by-election webpage including in accessible formats.

Ways to vote

There are several ways you can vote, depending on your needs:

At a polling place

People with disability and their carers are eligible to vote early. Before early voting starts, you will be able to find the locations of polling places on the AEC’s website. This includes early voting centres and polling places that will be open on by-election day. You can also find the details about the accessibility features of each polling place.

Polling place accessibility

The AEC considers a range of accessibility requirements both outside and inside the polling place. This includes paths of travel to the building, and access to public transport and parking.

Inside, we assess the availability of an alternate room for people with sensory and sensitivity conditions, set up accessible voting screens, include two-person tables for assisted voting, and provide assistive technology.

Each polling place is given an accessibility rating:

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Assisted wheelchair access, or
  • Not wheelchair accessible

You can click on the rating listed against each polling place to find out more about its accessibility features.

Virtual Auslan interpreter

A virtual Auslan interpreter service is available throughout the voting period at every early voting centre and polling place. Voters can access this service via the Convo Australia app, and by scanning the QR code on the poster in the polling place.

Hearing loops

Hearing loops are available in select polling places. The locations will be identified in the accessibility information when polling place details are published.

Text-to-speech pens

Some polling places will have text-to-speech pens. These are a digital highlighter that help users by reading text out loud. The locations will be identified in the accessibility information when polling place details are published.

Assistance voting

If you need assistance to vote, you can ask someone to help you. Polling place staff are trained to assist you, or you can nominate a friend, relative or another person.

If you can’t get out of the car the ballot papers may be brought to you to complete.

Voting by mail

  • If you are unable to travel to a polling place to vote in this by-election, you can apply for a postal vote.
  • People with disability and their carers are also eligible to become a general postal voter and receive ballot papers in the mail for each federal electoral event.
  • If you need assistance with your postal vote, you can ask a friend or family member to help complete the ballot papers according to your instructions. The voter must sign the return envelope or make a mark as a signature.

Telephone voting

Voters who are blind or have low vision can vote using the AEC’s dedicated telephone voting service.

Telephone voting will be open from Tuesday 28 April.

You can register between 8.30am-5.30pm AEST Monday to Friday during the 10 business days prior to by-election day. On by-election day registrations open from 8am and close at 12noon AEST.

Once registered, you can vote between 8.30am-5.30pm AEST Monday to Friday during the 10 business days prior to by-election day, and 8am-6pm AEST on by-election day.

The number to call is 1800 913 993 or +61 2 6271 4611 if overseas.

How to vote by telephone:

Step one: Register

  • When you call, an AEC operator will ask you some questions to confirm you are enrolled to vote and eligible to vote by phone.
  • Once we have confirmed you are eligible, we will ask you to choose a six-digit personal identification number (PIN).
  • We will then send you a registration number via SMS, email, or a follow-up phone call.
  • You will need to provide both of these numbers when you call back to vote.

Step two: Cast your vote

  • Once you have registered, you can call back to cast your vote.
  • To protect your privacy, don’t provide your name — you will be asked for your registration number and six-digit PIN.
  • This means your vote remains secret because the AEC voting assistant will not know your name or address.
  • A voting assistant will record your vote.
  • A second voting assistant acts as a witness to ensure your vote is recorded accurately.
  • Your vote will be read back to you to check for accuracy; you can choose whether the voting assistant or witness reads it back.
  • Your vote is then placed in an envelope and put into a sealed ballot box.

Mobile voting

Mobile voting is an in-person voting service delivered by AEC staff. Our mobile polling teams visit establishments where people experience additional barriers to voting including travelling to and/or voting in a polling place.

Mobile polling will occur at selected locations to deliver services catering for people experiencing homelessness, and those living in remote locations, non-remote Indigenous communities, residential aged care facilities, mental health services, and hospitals.  Mobile polling teams may also provide a service at Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.

People who are blind or have low vision

Your official guide to the Farrer by-election will be available in audio, e-text/Large Print (Word), e-text/Large Print (Accessible PDF) and e-braille formats.

Braille and large print versions can also be printed and sent on request by calling the AEC Contact Centre on 13 23 26.

The candidates list for the House of Representatives can also be produced in accessible formats including audio (DAISY CD, CD-A), braille, large print, and e-text. Call 13 23 26 to request a list in your preferred format.

People who are deaf or hard of hearing

The following videos about enrolling and voting are presented in Auslan and include captions.

Contacting the AEC via the NRS

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication difficulty you can receive assistance to contact the AEC through the National Relay Service (NRS):

  • Step 2
    Provide the NRS with the AEC phone number 13 23 26

For more information visit: About the National Relay Service

Accessible resources

The following resources are available on voting in the by-election:

The following Social Stories are available to support the understanding and concepts of voting in a federal election at a polling place or by mail:

If you want to learn more about the electoral process, visit our accessible education webpage which provides content for people to work through with or without a support person.

Updated: 5 March 2026