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  1. Home
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  3. Voting overseas

Voting overseas

Last Updated
Friday, 15/09/2023

 

The 2023 referendum

The referendum has been announced and will be held on 14 October 2023. If you'll be overseas during the referendum voting period, you can still have your say. 

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is working with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) to provide the safest and most effective voting services possible. 

If you would like to vote overseas in this referendum, options to vote include in-person and postal voting. 

Voting in a referendum is not compulsory for Australians overseas. If you’re unable to vote because you're overseas, you'll need to advise the AEC. If you don't inform them, the AEC will write to you asking you to explain why you didn't vote.  

In-person voting

In-person voting will be available in some locations overseas – see the list of locations on the AEC website. Contact your nearest Australian embassy, high commission or consulate for further details on when and how to vote in-person. Note that overseas in-person centres may become unavailable at short notice if the local security situation changes. 

Postal voting

If you prefer to vote by postal vote and are outside Australia, check your enrolment and complete a postal vote application. 

The AEC recommends you request a postal vote as soon as possible to ensure you receive, complete, and return your vote in time for it to be counted. To be counted, your postal vote must be completed and witnessed by 6pm AWST on 14 October 2023. The AEC can only accept ballot papers received in Australia by 27 October 2023 (13 days after the election).  

You can send your postal vote directly to the AEC in Australia. Alternatively, you may be able to send it or drop it off at a participating Australian embassy, high commission or consulate which will return your postal vote to the AEC on your behalf. 

Voting locations

The full list of overseas in-person and postal vote collection locations is on the AEC website. Refer to the website of the nearest Australian embassy, high commission or consulate for further details on available services.  

2023 Referendum - important dates 

  • 11 September - postal vote applications opened 
  • 18 September - enrolment closes at 8pm AWST
  • From 2 October - in-person early voting starts (varies between overseas voting centres, check the operating hours of your nearest Australia embassy, high commission, or consulate) 
  • 11 October - postal vote applications close at 6pm AWST
  • 14 October - referendum day 
  • 27 October - last day for votes to be received

For more information on how to vote, visit the AEC website.  

Federal elections

If you're overseas on the day of a federal election, you can still have your say.

You can apply for a postal vote if you're overseas during an election. You can also cast your vote at some Australian embassies and consulates overseas. 

Voting is compulsory in Australia. But being overseas is a valid reason for not voting. If you can't vote because you're overseas, you'll need to advise the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).

Check your enrolment

If an election is announced while you're overseas, check with the AEC:

  • the enrolment deadlines
  • your enrolment status
  • your details on the electoral roll
  • overseas voting options

To vote while overseas, you must be on the electoral roll. To check your enrolment, use the AEC website.

See the AEC's information on enrolling to vote overseas.

Voting by post

If you're travelling overseas short-term, you may be able to vote early (either in-person or by post) before you leave Australia. You can apply for a postal vote when an election is called.

If you're living or working overseas, you may be able to register as an overseas elector. You must intend to return to Australia within 6 years and have an Australian address to register. You can choose to become a general postal voter at the time of registering or at a separate time.

Voting at an Australian embassy or consulate

You can vote at some Australian embassies or consulates overseas. The AEC provides a list of places where you can vote when an election is called. 

Not all embassies or consulates can take votes. Contact your nearest embassy or consulate to find out

  • if they are offering in-person voting
  • their opening dates and hours for voting
  • if you need to make an appointment to vote
  • their security or entry requirements, especially in high-risk locations

Check your enrolment before going to vote. You need to know which Australian address you're enrolled at to get the correct ballot papers.

State and territory elections

Some states and territories allow overseas voting. Others don't or may only allow specific voting methods. 

Check the electoral commission website for your state or territory for more information. 

Read more

  • See our Consular Services Charter to see what services we can provide Australians overseas.
  • See our advice about living and working overseas.

See also

  • When an election is called, check the website of your nearest Australian embassy or consulate to find out if you can vote there (DFAT).
  • See advice on voting while overseas and voting by post (AEC).
  • Find out about state or territory elections (Electoral Council of Australia and New Zealand).

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    • ميثاق الخدمات القنصلية (Arabic)
    • 领事服务章程 (Chinese Simplified)
    • 領事服務章程 (Chinese Traditional)
    • Karta ng Mga Serbisyo sa Konsulado (Filipino)
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    • 領事サービス憲章 (Japanese)
    • กฎบัตรว่าด้วยบริการต่าง ๆ ของกงสุล (Thai)
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Emergency consular assistance

The Australian Government provides 24-hour consular emergency assistance.

+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas

1300 555 135 from within Australia

For how we can help you overseas see the Consular Services Charter.

Enquiries and feedback

For non-urgent enquiries, or to provide feedback on consular services that you've recently received, contact us online.

For information on notarial services, email legalisations.australia@dfat.gov.au

To report a vulnerability you’ve identified on this website or to find out more about the department’s Vulnerability Disclosure Policy visit the DFAT website

About us

Smartraveller is provided by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

For more information go to about us.

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  • Before you go
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      • Travel advice explained
    • Who you are
      • Academics
      • Colour, race, ethnicity, or religion
      • Dual nationals
      • Journalists
      • LGBTI++
      • Mature
      • School leavers
      • Travelling with children
      • Travelling with a disability
      • Travelling with pets
      • Women
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      • Adventure
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      • Living and working overseas
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      • Religious events
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      • Mental health
      • Infectious diseases
      • Medical assistance overseas
      • Medical tourism
      • Medication
      • Pregnancy
      • Reciprocal health
      • Vaccinations
      • Death
    • Staying safe
      • Armed conflict
      • Assault
      • Cyber security
      • Demonstrations
      • Earthquakes and tsunamis
      • Kidnapping
      • Natural disasters
      • Partying safely
      • Piracy
      • Scams
      • Severe weather
      • Sexual assault
      • Terrorism
      • Theft and robbery
    • Laws
      • Carrying or using drugs
      • Child sex offences
      • Female genital mutilation
      • Forced marriage
    • Getting around
      • Air travel
      • Boat travel
      • Cruising
      • Public transport
      • Road safety
  • Destinations
    • View all destinations
    • AfricaBrowse destinations in Africa.
    • AmericasBrowse all destinations in the Americas.
    • AsiaBrowse all destinations in Asia.
    • EuropeBrowse all destinations in Europe.
    • Middle EastBrowse all destinations in the Middle East.
    • PacificBrowse all destinations in the Pacific.
  • While you're away
    • When things go wrong
      • Arrested or jailed
      • Lost property
      • Medical assistance
      • Money problems
      • Someone is missing
      • Someone died
    • Crime overseas
      • Assaulted
      • Kidnapped
      • Robbed or mugged
      • Scammed
      • Sexually assaulted
    • Crisis or emergency
      • Demonstration
      • Armed conflict
      • Earthquake
      • Severe weather
      • Terrorist situation
      • Volcanic eruption
      • Bushfire
      • Nuclear incident
    • Australia's biosecurity and border controls
  • Urgent helpLinks to help
  • Our servicesLinks to services
    • Consular Services Charter
      • ميثاق الخدمات القنصلية (Arabic)
      • 领事服务章程 (Chinese Simplified)
      • 領事服務章程 (Chinese Traditional)
      • Karta ng Mga Serbisyo sa Konsulado (Filipino)
      • Panduan Layanan Konsuler (Indonesian)
      • 領事サービス憲章 (Japanese)
      • กฎบัตรว่าด้วยบริการต่าง ๆ ของกงสุล (Thai)
      • Hiến Chương về Dịch Vụ Lãnh Sự (Vietnamese)
    • Travel advice explained
    • Subscription
    • Crises
    • Passport services
    • Notarial services
      • Documents
      • Documents in Australia
      • Documents overseas
      • Certificate of No Impediment
      • Notarial forms
    • Voting overseas
    • Communities
      • العربية (Arabic)
      • Bahasa Indonesia
      • 中文 简体 (Chinese Simplified)
      • 中文繁體 (Chinese Traditional)
      • 日本語 (Japanese)
      • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
      • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
      • Filipino community
      • Indian community
    • Resources
      • Consular State of Play
      • CHOICE travel insurance guide
      • Consular Privacy Collection Statement