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 Saturday 3 May.
Can we vote earlier?
Yes, early voting will start on Tuesday 22 April.
For those who want to complete a postal vote, you have until 30 April to apply.
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.
Who has to vote?
Australian citizens aged 18 and older. But there are some adults who can't vote, 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.
This means the electoral roll closes at 8pm (AEST) on Monday 7 April.
Anyone who needs to update their address must also do so by this date.
You can go to aec.gov.au or call 13 23 26 to enrol or check your details.
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