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  3. Voting overseas

Voting overseas

Last Updated
Friday, 17/06/2022

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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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

For information about Australian visas, contact the Department of Home Affairs.

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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Main navigation

  • HomeHome
  • Before you go
    • The basics
      • Planning to travel during COVID-19: step by step
      • Destinations
      • Passport services
      • Visas
      • Insurance
      • Schengen
      • Travel advice explained
    • Who you are
      • Children
      • Dual nationals
      • LGBTI++
      • Mature
      • School leavers
      • Women
    • Activities
      • Adoption
      • Adventure
      • Backpacking
      • Business
      • Living and working overseas
      • Marriage
      • Studying
      • Surrogacy
      • Volunteering
    • Major events
      • Cultural events
      • Religious events
      • Sporting events
    • Health
      • Mental health
      • Disability
      • 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
      • Arabic
      • Chinese Simplified
      • Chinese Traditional
      • Indonesian
      • Thai
      • 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
      • Fact sheet: Travel Smart
      • Fact sheet: Missing overseas
      • Fact sheet: Arrested or jailed overseas
      • Fact sheet: Sexual assault overseas
      • Fact sheet: Death overseas
      • Consular Privacy Collection Statement