If you'll be overseas at the time of an Australian federal election, you can still have your say.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is in regular contact with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) to provide the safest and most effective voting services possible, according to the circumstances at the time.
Australians overseas will continue to be able to participate in the next federal election by postal vote.
In-person voting services may be available in a small number of locations overseas. However, these in-person options may become unavailable at short notice if the COVID situation or security situation changes in that location.
We encourage all Australians overseas to register as an overseas voter as soon as possible and to request a postal vote. Postal votes will be sent directly to electors and can be returned directly to the AEC or, in some locations, to the nearest Australian mission.
A list of overseas ballot collection centres and any in-person voting locations overseas (Australian Embassies/High Commissions/Consulates) will be made available once the federal election date is announced.
While voting is compulsory in Australia, being overseas is a valid reason for not voting if you cannot access your vote. If you can't vote because you're overseas, you'll need to advise the AEC.
More information
- Learn more about online enrolment, overseas registration forms, and contact details (Australian Electoral Commission)
Read more
- See our Consular Services Charter to see what services we can provide Australians overseas.
- See our advice about living and working overseas.
- We provide contact details for our embassies and consulates in our travel advisories.
See also
- Contact your nearest Australian embassy or consulate to find out if you can vote there (DFAT).
- Find out about state or territory elections (Australian Election Portal).