How to enrol to vote in Australia

The short answer

enrol to vote in Australia

Use the Australian Electoral Commission enrolment service for federal elections. The same enrolment record is generally used for relevant state, territory and local elections, but always follow the commission responsible for the election in front of you.

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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Who can enrol to vote

Enrolment is compulsory for all eligible Australian citizens under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918. To be eligible to enrol you must be an Australian citizen, aged 18 years or over, and have lived at your current residential address for at least one month. If you are 16 or 17 years old, you can enrol provisionally so that when you turn 18 you will be able to vote without delay. The Australian Electoral Commission maintains the Commonwealth electoral roll and uses it for federal elections, by-elections and referendums.

There is a special category known as eligible British subjects who were on the Commonwealth electoral roll immediately before 26 January 1984. These individuals may retain enrolment rights if they meet all other criteria, but this is a narrow historical exception and does not apply to most people considering enrolment today. If you are unsure whether you qualify, contact the AEC directly for personalised advice about your circumstances.

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What documents you need to enrol

When you enrol online through the AEC website, you must provide at least one form of accepted identification. The accepted documents are an Australian driver licence number, an Australian passport number, Medicare card details, or an Australian citizenship number. If you do not have any of these documents, you can ask someone who is already enrolled to confirm your identity on your behalf. This person must be on the electoral roll and willing to vouch for your identity and residential details.

Note that 18+ cards and Proof of Age cards are not accepted as identification for enrolment purposes. The AEC uses your identification details to verify your identity against other government records, which helps maintain the integrity of the electoral roll. The online enrolment form will guide you through each step and tell you which fields are required based on the identification type you select.

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How to complete the online enrolment

The fastest way to enrol is through the Australian Electoral Commission website at aec.gov.au/enrol. Click the Start enrolment button and follow the prompts. The online form will ask for your personal details including your full name, date of birth, residential address, postal address if different from your residential address, and your contact information such as an email address and phone number. The AEC uses your contact details to send you important information about elections and your enrolment status.

The entire process typically takes around 10 to 15 minutes if you have your identification documents ready before you start. You will receive a receipt number once you submit your application, which you should keep until your enrolment is confirmed. If you need to stop partway through, the online form allows you to save your progress and return later. After submitting, the AEC will process your application and confirm your enrolment, usually within a few weeks, though processing times may vary depending on demand and the completeness of the information you provide.

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Paper forms and other ways to enrol

If you prefer not to enrol online or do not have reliable internet access, the AEC provides paper enrolment forms. You can download and print a PDF form from the AEC website and return the completed form by mail or in person to an AEC office. Alternatively, you can visit any AEC office to pick up a physical form and either complete it there or take it home and return it later. Paper forms must be signed and dated, and your identification details must still be provided.

The AEC also offers special category enrolment options for people with specific circumstances that may affect their enrolment. This includes silent electors who believe that having their address on the public roll would place their personal safety at risk, people with no fixed address who may be experiencing homelessness or who are itinerant workers, and Australians living or travelling overseas. Each special category has its own eligibility criteria and application process, which is explained on the AEC website under the special category enrolment section.

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Checking your enrolment status and updating your details

After enrolling, you can check the status of your enrolment online using the receipt number provided when you submitted your application. The AEC website has a Check my enrolment tool that shows whether you are correctly enrolled, your enrolled address, and your federal electoral division. If you submitted a paper form, you should allow additional time for it to be received and processed before your enrolment appears in the online system. You do not need to re-enrol for each federal election once you are on the roll.

If you move house, change your name, or need to update any other personal details, you must update your enrolment within the timeframes specified by law. You can do this through the same online enrolment portal. Failing to update your enrolment after moving can result in you being removed from the roll for your old address and being unable to vote at your new address. It is also an offence under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to fail to enrol or to provide false information when enrolling. The AEC may send follow-up communications to people who appear eligible but are not on the roll.

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State, territory and local government enrolment

When you complete the federal enrolment form through the AEC, your details are generally shared with the relevant state or territory electoral commission. This means your enrolment is usually recognised for state, territory and local government elections without you needing to complete separate forms. However, each jurisdiction has its own electoral laws and the requirements may differ slightly from the federal requirements. For example, some states allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in state elections even though the federal voting age is 18.

The AEC only administers federal elections, by-elections and referendums. State and territory electoral commissions are separate bodies responsible for their own elections. If you are unsure whether you are enrolled for a state or local election, contact the electoral commission in your state or territory directly. The major state electoral commissions include the NSW Electoral Commission, the Victorian Electoral Commission, the Electoral Commission of Queensland, and equivalent bodies in Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. Most of these commissions have their own online enrolment check tools.

Common questions

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