The Right to Vote in Australia

Voting is both a right and a legal obligation for most Australian citizens. Australia is one of a relatively small number of democracies in the world that practices compulsory voting — meaning eligible citizens are required by law to enrol and to attend a polling place on election day.

Who Is Eligible to Vote?

To vote in Australian federal elections, you must be:

  • An Australian citizen
  • Aged 18 years or over
  • Enrolled on the Australian Electoral Roll

Permanent residents who are not citizens cannot vote in federal elections. However, some state and territory elections have different rules, so it's worth checking with your local electoral commission.

Compulsory Enrolment and Voting

Once you turn 18 and become an Australian citizen (or are already one), enrolling to vote is compulsory. Failure to vote in a federal election without a valid reason can result in a fine. Valid reasons for not voting include being seriously ill, being overseas (without arranging a postal vote), or having a religious objection.

Enrolment can be done online through the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) website at aec.gov.au. You must update your enrolment if you move house.

How Preferential Voting Works

Australian federal elections use a system of preferential voting (also called instant-runoff voting) for the House of Representatives. Rather than simply placing an X next to one candidate, voters number all candidates in order of preference (1, 2, 3, and so on).

If no candidate receives more than 50% of first-preference votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and their votes are redistributed to their voters' next preferences. This continues until one candidate has a majority.

Voting for the Senate

The Senate uses a system called proportional representation. Voters can choose to vote:

  • Above the line: Numbering at least six boxes for parties/groups (your preferences follow the party's registered order)
  • Below the line: Numbering at least 12 individual candidates in your order of preference

This system allows minor parties and independents to win Senate seats, contributing to the diversity of representation in the upper house.

Accessible Voting Options

The AEC provides a range of options to ensure all eligible Australians can vote:

  • Postal voting: Available on request for those who can't attend in person
  • Pre-poll voting: Early voting centres open in the weeks before election day
  • Phone voting: Available for blind or low-vision voters
  • Overseas voting: Australian embassies and consulates often act as polling places
  • Assisted voting: Assistance available for voters with disabilities

State and Local Government Elections

Each Australian state and territory runs its own elections through its own electoral commission. Rules can differ from federal elections in terms of voting systems, enrolment requirements, and optional vs compulsory preferential voting. Local government elections are also managed at a state level.

Key Dates and the Electoral Roll

When a federal election is called, the electoral roll closes shortly after the official announcement — typically within a few days. It's important to keep your enrolment up to date at all times, not just when an election is called. You can check and update your enrolment at aec.gov.au.