Australians have begun casting their ballots for the federal election as early voting gets under way.
It's compulsory for all Australian citizens to vote in the federal election, but not everyone has to cast a ballot on July 2.
It's expected that a record number of voters will go to the polls early in this election, topping the 2013 election record of 27 per cent.
Voters can either pre-poll vote via post or go to an early voting centre.
Electoral commission spokesman Phil Diak said while he expected early voting to exceed the 2013 record, voters should remember they must have a valid reason to vote ahead of July 2.
"At this election, the AEC will be asking people who go and have a pre-poll vote the question whether they are entitled to have an early vote. Early voting is not just for personal preference or convenience, it's for people who are unable to go to a polling place in their home electorate on election day."
