Understanding the Australian Federal Election in 2025: A Complete Guide

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Anthony Albanese has announced Australians will head to the polls on 3 May, kicking off a five-week campaign against Peter Dutton for the nation’s top job.

With the cost of living crisis at the front of the minds of many Australians and the effects of the Reserve Bank’s first interest rate cut in years yet to be fully felt, both major parties are entering the election campaign promoting policies they argue will alleviate financial strain without exacerbating inflation.

In the lead-up to the vote, here are all your questions answered.

When is the federal election?

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has officially announced the date Australians will head to the polls as 3 May.

“Over the last few years, the world has thrown a lot at Australia,” he said in a press conference outside Parliament House on Friday, 28 March.

“In uncertain times, we cannot decide the challenges that we face, but we can determine how we respond.

“Now on 3 May, you choose the way forward.”

Parliament was dissolved on the same day and the government is now in caretaker mode.

How often do we hold elections?

Every three years, the Australian prime minister will call a federal election.

Because there are no fixed terms or election dates, forecasting when this will happen is a guessing game.

Generally, the prime minister will call an election at a time that’s politically advantageous for them.

Elections are held on Saturdays, and candidates need to be given at least 33 days’ notice of the poll.

How is a federal election called?

When the prime minister decides to call an election, a few steps need to happen.

First, the prime minister needs to tell the representative of the King, the governor-general, that they wish to call an election.

Then, the governor-general terminates the sitting parliament and dissolves the House of Representatives.

Afterwards, the governor-general instructs the independent electoral body, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), to conduct an election, which includes setting dates for nominations, electoral rolls, and, of course, election day.

Then, the writs are issued.

Members of the public casting their vote.

Voting is compulsory in Australia, and to cast your vote, you must be registered on the electoral roll. Source: AAP

What are the key election dates?

The federal election will take place on 3 May, with polling booths open from 8am to 6pm. Voting locations are typically set up at local schools, church halls, or community centres.

Voting is mandatory for all Australian citizens aged 18 and over.

Writs will be issued within 10 days of the parliament’s dissolution, which took place on 28 March. Enrolment closes seven days after the writs are issued.

How can I enrol to vote?

To enrol to vote, you need to be 18 or older. If you’ve moved since 2022, remember to update your address as well.

You can easily check your enrolment status and update your details online .

Alternatively, you can enrol in person at your local AEC office or submit an .

The AEC website also provides that may make enrolling more challenging.

How do I know if I’m registered to vote?

Voting is compulsory in Australia. To vote, you must be registered on the electoral roll. . If you’re not enrolled, there’s still time to do so.

The electoral roll will close seven days after the issue of writs, which must happen within 10 days of the parliament’s dissolution.

Which electorate am I in?

To find out your electorate, simply enter your address on the .

When and where should I be voting?

Typically, a majority of Australians will head to a local polling place on election day (3 May) to cast their votes.

However, this is not a requirement, as if you’re unable to vote on election day itself, you’re welcome to vote in person in the two weeks leading up to the election or via a postal vote.

In fact, in the last federal election in 2022, half of the voters decided to cast their ballots like this,

You can find your local polling place on the AEC website.

How can I vote if I’m away on election day?

If you are not able to head to a polling place in your electorate — for example, if you are travelling or working — on 3 May, you still need to vote.

Early voting centres will open across the country progressively from Tuesday, 22 April. Locations and addresses will become available closer to the early voting period.

You may also be eligible to apply for a postal vote, which means your ballot papers will be sent to you in the mail. You can apply for a postal vote now .

There are a number of options for early voting ahead of the federal election. Source: AAP / Bianca De Marchi

If you are not going to be in Australia in the lead-up to the election, you may be able to vote in overseas voting centres, which are usually in Australian embassies, high commissions and consulates. You can find out more about overseas voting centres

The AEC also offers mobile voting in some locations to cater for people who cannot attend an in-person polling place. This can include people in residential aged care, hospitals, mental health facilities, prisons, homelessness services, and First Nations communities. Mobile voting schedules for the 2025 federal election have not yet been finalised.

What to know about Anthony Albanese, prime minister and Labor leader

As Prime Minister Anthony Albanese makes his case for a second term in office, here’s everything you need to know about his life and political career.

Five quick facts about Anthony Albanese

1. He became prime minister in May 2022, as Australia started to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, ending almost a decade of Coalition government.

2. Before securing the top job, he had been in parliament for over a quarter of a century, mostly as a member for the inner-western Sydney seat of Grayndler.

3. Known widely as “Albo”, the 61-year-old father-of-one has traditionally aligned himself with Labor’s left; however, as prime minister, he has adopted more centrist positions, analysts say.

4. He joined the Labor Party at age 16 and says his working-class roots have shaped his political values.

5. When taking office, Albanese said his government’s areas of focus would be the cost of living, bolstering Indigenous rights, and tougher climate action.

Anthony Albanese speaking into a microphone with a finger raised.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said Australians will go to the polls on 3 May. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

What have been some of Anthony Albanese’s most challenging moments as PM?

Since taking office, Albanese has had to navigate a complex mix of domestic and international issues — including a cost of living crisis, a worldwide inflation surge, and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

Early in his term, one of his most defining policies was to hold a referendum on whether or not to in Australia’s constitution.

After a divisive campaign, . The result devastated many Indigenous Australians, and hurt Albanese politically, some analysts argue.

Legislative setbacks, rising interest rates and living costs, as well as concerns over housing affordability, have impacted Albanese’s government, while Labor says it has given cost of living relief through tax cuts, energy bill relief and an increase to paid parental leave.

What to know about Peter Dutton, the leader of the Opposition vying to be PM

Peter Dutton is seeking to defy almost 100 years of political history by defeating Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and unseating his first-term government. Here’s a rundown of his life and career.

Peter Dutton became the Liberal leader in 2022.

Five quick facts about Peter Dutton

1. He has served as the leader of the Liberal Party since 2022 after it suffered its worst electoral loss since its formation in 1948.

2. He has represented the Queensland seat of Dickson in the Australian House of Representatives since 2001.

3. The 54-year-old has held several significant positions in successive Coalition governments, including stints as the Minister for Home Affairs, Health and Defence.

4. A married father of three, Dutton was a police officer and businessman before entering politics.

5. He is known for his conservative views on issues such as national security, immigration, and law and order.

What did Peter Dutton do before he entered politics?

Before his time in Canberra, Dutton was a small business owner who also had a long career in law enforcement.

In 1988, he joined the Queensland Police Force (now Service) where he worked as an officer for several years before becoming a detective. He later studied at the Australian Federal Police College, and held positions in the National Crime Authority and Drug and Sex Offenders’ Squads. He often credits his background in policing as playing a critical role in shaping his views on issues such as security and immigration.

What to know about Adam Bandt, the leader of the Australian Greens

Adam Bandt has framed the upcoming election as a choice between progressive policies that make people’s lives better, or a US-style shift to the right.

Adam Bandt has been leader of the Australian Greens since 2020. Source: SBS News

Five quick facts about Adam Bandt

1. Bandt has been the leader of the Australian Greens since 2020 and a member of parliament since 2010.

2. He was the first Greens candidate to win a seat in a general election for the House of Representatives.

3. The 52-year-old has framed the upcoming election as an opportunity for the Greens to win “new seats across the country” and potentially play a pivotal role in a minority government.

4. During his time at university, he was a member of the Left Alliance, a national organisation of socialist, feminist, and progressive students.

5. Under his leadership, the Greens have come up with what they refer to as a series of “Robin Hood-style” policies to take to the election, which would tax the super-rich to free up money for the cost of living issues.

What did Adam Bandt do before he entered politics?

Bandt was born in Adelaide but spent most of his childhood in Perth. After working with a string of student unions both before and after earning his degree in Law and Arts at Murdoch University, .

He eventually became a partner at the firm Slater & Gordon, where he specialised in industrial law and represented several unions. After going part-time in 2008, he completed a PhD at Monash University.

What to know about David Littleproud, leader of the National Party

If Peter Dutton becomes Australia’s next prime minister, David Littleproud would be in the running to become his deputy. Here’s a basic rundown of the National Party leader’s life and career.

David Littleproud was elected to lead the National Party in May 2022.

Five quick facts about David Littleproud

1. He was elected to lead the National Party in May 2022, after Labor’s win, succeeding Barnaby Joyce.

2. He has represented the Queensland seat of Maranoa in the House of Representatives since 2016.

3. Throughout his career, Littleproud has been an advocate for regional Australian communities, often stressing the importance of agriculture, and calling for more infrastructure development.

4. A father of three, Littleproud worked as a farm manager and businessman before he became an elected official.

5. He was born and raised in the rural town of Chinchilla, in Queensland’s Western Downs Region.

What did David Littleproud do before he entered politics?

Before entering office in 2016, Littleproud worked as an agribusiness banker with the National Australia Bank (NAB) and Suncorp, where he focused on rural and agricultural finance.

He lived and worked in several rural towns, including Miles, Nanango, Charleville, St George, Stanthorpe and Warwick.

What are Labor’s key policies?

Labor has pledged tax cuts if they win the election, with the average earner getting $268 back in their pocket by 2026, according to the treasurer.

Earnings between $18,201 and $45,000 are currently taxed at 16 per cent, and this will fall to 15 per cent in 2026-27 and 14 per cent in 2027-28, Labor said.

The party has also pledged to increase access to childcare and a $1 billion fund for 160 new childcare centres.

Labor also said they would spend $8.5 billion on increasing bulk-billing rates at GPs, and an extension of the energy rebate until the end of 2025 which will save households $150.

The Coalition has agreed to both of these policies.

What are the Coalition’s key policies?

The Coalition said there would be no promise of income tax cuts, but that fuel excise would be cut in half from July.

This would mean savings of 25 cents per litre, Opposition leader Peter Dutton said.

People would be allowed to use more of their superannuation towards a house deposit, and the Coalition said it would invest $5 billion into essential infrastructure to “unlock up to 500,000 new homes”.

The party would restore the number of mental health sessions subsidised by Medicare from 10 to 20.

It said it would allow businesses with a turnover of less than $10 million a year to claim a tax deduction of up to $20,000 for business-related meal and entertainment expenses and increase the instant asset write-off for small and medium businesses from $20,000 to $30,000.