With Prime Minister Anthony Albanese officially setting the federal election date for May 3, this Australian Election Voting Guide 2025 covers everything Australians need to know about casting their votes.
If you’re wondering how voting works and what you need to do, here’s everything you need to know.
Who Needs to Vote in the Upcoming Australian Federal Election?
In Australia, voting is mandatory for everyone who is 18 or above. It is important to participate in the upcoming 2025 election for all Australian citizens.
To vote, all the participants have to enrol. If you’re not sure about the enrolment status, check this.
If you’re a first-time voter or have returned to Australia after living abroad, you’ll have to enrol by 8 p.m. on April 4, 2025.
Voting is mandatory in Australia for the upcoming federal election. If you’re an Australian citizen aged 18 or older, you must vote.
Since voting is mandatory, everyone has to cast a vote if they are 18 or above. In case of being unable to vote on election day, one has to $20 fine.
Early Voting in the Federal Election Guide: Who Can Vote and When?
If anyone is unable to vote on election day, the government allows them to vote early. This option is only available to those who meet certain criteria, such as:
- Being outside your enrolled electorate on polling day
- Being more than 8km away from a polling station
- Traveling during the election period
- Having work commitments that prevent you from voting
- Experiencing a serious illness, being pregnant and close to delivery, or caring for someone in these situations
- Having a disability or caring for someone with a disability
- Being hospitalized without access to voting services
- Having religious beliefs that prevent you from voting on the day
- Serving a prison sentence of less than three years or being otherwise detained
- Being registered as a silent elector
- Having a genuine concern for your safety or well-being
Early voting will begin on Tuesday, April 22. Make sure to cast your vote by visiting your nearby early voting centres in your electorate.
How to Vote by Post?
Similarly, to early voting, the criteria for voting by post are the same. To do this, you’ll need to apply for a postal voting pack online.
Applications are already open for postal voting. You can easily apply online. To get it done, you have to get a form from any AEC office, print one from their website, or request a form to be sent to you by calling 13 23 26.
After completing, just submit via mail or in person at an SAEC office.
The deadline to apply is 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30.
You’ll receive your voting pack by mail after doing all the mentioned steps. You must complete your ballot and sign by 6 p.m on May 3.
To make your vote count, your vote must reach the AEC within 13 days after election day.
Casting Your Vote on Election Day
On 3rd May election day, you have to reach your polling station in your state or territory to cast a vote.
The stations are usually set up in schools, churches, community centres, and other such public places.
The exact location will be revealed online as the federal election approaches, so make sure to get the exact place.
When you reach the polling station to cast the vote, you’ll receive two ballot papers. One of them, a smaller sheet, is for the House of Representatives.
To complete the ballot, you need to number every box according to your preference.
Place a “1” next to the candidate you support the most, and a “2” for the second preference, and similarly form others as per your choice until all boxes are filled.
Who Can You Vote for in the 2025 Federal Election?
The two major parties will be against each other, competing in an intense election battleground to secure the required number of seats in order to govern.
The Australian Labor Party (ALP) and the Coalition, which includes the Liberal Party and The Nationals, will be in a fierce competition.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will be re-electing in this upcoming federal election against Peter Dutton, who has been criticising him for the rising inflation.
In the last federal election, the Labor Party secured the majority of the seats, a total of 77, later increased to 78 after a by-election.
Whereas, the Coalition managed to get 58 seats – 27 for the Liberals, 21 for the Liberal National Party (LNP), and 10 for The Nationals, making them lose the election and having the lowest seat count since 1983.
Aside from the major parties, The Greens held four seats in the last parliament. Meanwhile, 10 seats went to independents, and two minor party members, Rebekha Sharkie from Centre Alliance and Bob Katter from Katter’s Australian Party, were also part of the crossbench.
FAQs – Australian Election Voting Guide
1. Who needs to vote in the Australian federal election?
Voting is mandatory for all Australian citizens, with an age limit of at least 18.
2. When is the federal election in 2025?
The upcoming Federal Election is to be held on May 3, 2025.
3. How can I vote if I’m away on election day?
If you won’t be able to vote, then you can opt for an early or a postal vote.
4. What happens if I don’t vote?
Failing to vote in the upcoming Federal Election will incur a hefty $20 fine.
5. Where can I find my polling station?
The polling station location will be available online as the election date approaches.
