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Voting is compulsory in Australia so here’s what you need to know in the lead up to election day.
When do we have to vote?
Australians will head to the polls on
Can we vote earlier?
Yes, early voting will start on Tuesday 22 April.
You can vote early in person at certain polling booths, or by post, if you:
- are outside the electorate where you are enrolled to vote;
- are more than 8km from a polling place;
- are travelling;
- can’t leave your workplace to vote;
- are seriously ill, infirm, have recently given birth or are expected shortly to do so (or caring for someone who is);
- are a person with disability (or caring for someone who is);
- are a patient in 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; or
- have a reasonable fear for your safety.
Polling booths will be set up across Australia on election day and there will also be some early voting centres open two weeks before. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch
Who has to vote?
Australian citizens aged 18 and older. But there are , possibly due to a prison sentence for example.
If you are seriously ill or not in the country on the day of the vote, you are eligible for an exemption.
You can also submit a “valid and sufficient reason” as an explanation to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) but it’s up to them to decide whether to accept this.
Otherwise if you don’t vote, you can face paying a fine.
Check your enrolment
Australians have seven days to enrol to vote after writs are issued on Monday.
This means the electoral roll closes at 8pm (AEDT) on Monday 7 April.
Anyone who needs to update their address must also do so by this date.
You can go to or call 13 23 26 to enrol or check your details.
How do I enrol for a postal vote?
You will need to apply via the by 6pm Wednesday 30 April.
