Overseas voting centres will be available during the early voting period, which commences on Monday 2 October and runs for a two week period leading up to referendum day. The opening dates and times will vary.
Voting in the 2023 referendum
For the 2023 referendum, the AEC in conjunction with DFAT and Austrade will be offering in-person voting in a majority of Australian Embassies, Consulates and High Commissions. The number of in-person voting centres in cities around the world will increase from what was available at the 2022 federal election. If you’re overseas and unable to make it to an Australian post it is recommended that you apply for a postal vote.
Postal vote packs will be sent from Australia, so you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
The voting options for Australians who are overseas during the 2023 referendum are dependent on the local environment.
If you are a general postal voter, you will be sent ballot papers as soon as practicable after the issue of the writ.
If you are unable to find a witness, please click on the link below.
If you are currently enrolled, you can vote in person at all overseas voting centres.
Overseas voting centres are established at selected Australian Embassies, Consulates and High Commissions in the lead up to a referendum.
A list of locations offering in-person voting and postal vote collection services is available on our Overseas In-person Voting and Postal Vote Collection Locations page.
Completing your overseas postal vote
You will receive a postal voting pack that includes all the information you need to complete your ballot paper and return them to the AEC.
Once you receive your postal voting pack, complete and return your ballot paper as soon as possible. Please be aware that the AEC can only legally count postal votes received before the postal voting deadline – 13 days after voting day. We work closely with couriers and use diplomatic mailbags to expedite the mailout and return of overseas postal votes. You can help by applying for your overseas postal vote as early as possible, and by completing it and returning it to your nearest Australian embassy or High Commission as quickly as you can. The sooner you complete and send your postal vote, the more likely it can be counted.
Postal arrangement with DFAT
A majority of overseas voting centres will have the ability to accept completed postal votes via local mail or drop-off.
The local post will swiftly verify the material and forward it to the AEC in Australia. This minimises the time your completed postal voting pack is in an overseas mail system.
Postal arrangement through international mail
If you wish to return your postal vote to Australia using the local mail service in your country, you can do so by addressing your envelope to:
Divisional Returning Officer
(insert applicable address for your state below)
State |
Address |
|---|---|
Australian Capital Territory |
PO Box 717 |
New South Wales |
PO Box 105 |
Northern Territory |
GPO Box 1243 |
Queensland |
GPO Box 383 |
South Australia |
GPO Box 2510 |
Tasmania |
PO Box 260 |
Victoria |
PO Box 8001 |
Western Australia |
PO Box 110 |
Unable to vote
Voting in a referendum is not compulsory for Australians overseas. If you are unable to vote you should complete and submit an overseas notification form.
If you do not inform the AEC, we will write to you asking you to explain why you did not vote.
Can I vote online?
No. Australia’s electoral laws do not allow for online voting.
I'm in Antarctica
Australians who are working in Antarctica can vote by telephone, in accordance with the requirements of referendum legislation.
Further information
Contact the AEC from overseas:
- +61 2 6160 2600
- Online enquiry
- Twitter or Facebook