A first-time voter’s election checklist

The short answer

first-time voter’s election checklist

Your first Australian federal election involves a series of practical steps that are the same for every voter regardless of political views. Check your enrolment is current before the roll closes, identify your federal electorate so you know which candidates are standing, plan how and when you will vote, read both ballot paper instructions before marking anything, and use the help available at every polling place. Polling officials are trained to assist without influencing your choices. You do not have to tell anyone how you voted, and you do not need to know all the candidates or parties in advance. The ballot paper instructions tell you exactly what to do. Voting is compulsory if you are enrolled, so plan to attend.

This guide explains the federal position first. State, territory and local elections can use different rules, dates and ballot systems, so the commission named on your election material is the final operational source.

The useful question is not only “what is the rule?” but also “who administers it, which document controls it, and when might it change?” That distinction prevents an accurate general explanation from becoming wrong advice in a particular election, chamber or policy setting.

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Check your enrolment before the roll closes

The electoral roll closes approximately seven days after the election writ is issued. If you are not enrolled by the close of rolls, you cannot vote in that federal election. There are no exceptions. If you are already enrolled, verify that your details are current. You can check your enrolment online through the AEC website by entering your name and address. If you have moved house since your last enrolment, update your address. Enrolment and updates can be done entirely online if you hold an Australian passport or driver licence, or by completing a paper form. If you are 16 or 17 and provisionally enrolled, your enrolment activates automatically on your 18th birthday and you do not need to take further action. The AEC also provides enrolment forms at Australia Post outlets, Centrelink offices and Medicare service centres.

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Know your electorate and who is standing

Your enrolment address determines your federal electoral division for the House of Representatives. You can find your electorate by entering your address on the AEC website. Each electorate elects one member to the House of Representatives. For the Senate, you are voting for candidates representing your entire state or territory. The AEC publishes a list of candidates after nominations close, usually two to three weeks before election day. You do not need to research every candidate to cast a valid vote. The ballot papers list all candidates with their names and, if they are endorsed by a registered political party, the party name. Independents appear without a party label. Reading the candidates' names on the ballot is sufficient as you are not expected to have memorised platforms or policies.

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Decide how and when to vote

You have several options for casting your vote. On election day, which is always a Saturday, polling places open at 8 am and close at 6 pm local time. You can vote at any polling place in your state or territory. You do not need to attend the one closest to your enrolled address. If you cannot vote on election day, you can vote at an early voting centre during the early voting period, which typically opens about two weeks before election day. You can also apply for a postal vote if you meet the eligibility grounds, such as being outside your electorate or unable to attend due to illness. If you are overseas, you may be able to vote at an Australian diplomatic mission or apply for a postal vote. The AEC publishes the dates and locations of early voting centres and polling places on its website in the weeks before election day.

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What to bring and expect at the polling place

When you arrive at the polling place, polling officials will ask for your name, address and whether you have voted before in this election. You do not need to bring identification. Australia does not have voter ID requirements at federal elections. You should state your name as it appears on the electoral roll and give your enrolled address. The official checks the certified list and, if your name is found, marks you as having voted and hands you two ballot papers: a green one for the House of Representatives and a white one for the Senate. Proceed to a voting screen, mark your ballot papers in private, and place them in the respective ballot boxes before leaving. Polling places also display how-to-vote cards from parties and candidates outside the entrance. You are not required to accept these and they have no legal force.

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Read the instructions on each ballot paper

Each ballot paper carries printed instructions telling you exactly what to do. The House of Representatives ballot paper instructs you to number every box in the order of your preference, starting with 1 for your first choice. The Senate ballot paper gives you two options: either number at least six boxes above the line for parties or groups, or number at least 12 boxes below the line for individual candidates. Read these instructions carefully before you start marking. The instructions may vary slightly depending on the number of vacancies in a Senate election. For example, a double dissolution election requires numbering at least 12 boxes above the line. If you are unsure, ask a polling official to explain the instructions. Polling officials cannot tell you which candidate to support but they can explain how to complete the ballot paper so your vote is formal.

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Getting help if you need it

You are entitled to assistance throughout the voting process. If you have difficulty reading the ballot papers, polling officials can read the candidate names to you. If you are blind or have low vision, telephone voting is available. If you have a physical disability that prevents you from marking the ballot paper, you may ask a polling official or a person of your choice to assist you. The person helping must follow your instructions exactly and must not influence how you vote. The AEC provides wheelchair-accessible voting screens, magnifying sheets and large-print instructions at polling places. If English is not your first language, the AEC publishes translated information and can arrange telephone interpreter services. You can also bring a friend or family member into the polling booth with you if you need help understanding the process.

Common questions

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