If you are overseas during the federal election period you may still cast your vote.

• I'm enrolled and want to vote while overseas
• I'm enrolled but not sure I will be able to vote while overseas
• I'm enrolled, living overseas and want to stay on the electoral roll
• I'm not enrolled and I'm currently overseas
• I'm living overseas permanently
• More information

If you are enrolled you can vote while you are overseas, either in person at an Australian Diplomatic Post or by post.

• Check if you are enrolled.

Enrolling to vote is compulsory for eligible Australians, but it is not compulsory to vote if you are overseas.

I'm enrolled and want to vote while overseas

You can either vote at an overseas voting centre (an Australian Diplomatic Post that provides full consular services, including most Australian Embassies, Consulates and High Commissions), or you can apply for a postal vote.

• Location and contact details of overseas voting centres

Make sure you check when your nearest overseas voting centre is open for voting (usually for two weeks before election day during the post's normal operating hours).

The AEC will also have special early voting centres set up at some airports around Australia before election day so that you can vote before you leave the country.

I'm enrolled but not sure I will be able to vote while overseas

If you think you will be unable to vote while overseas, please complete an Overseas Notification form [PDF 69k]. This tells the AEC that you are overseas.

I'm enrolled, living overseas and want to stay on the electoral roll

If you will be returning to Australia within six years, you should register as an overseas elector to ensure you are kept on the electoral roll in your absence.

You can register up to three months before your departure or within three years after your departure.

The registration can be extended by up to 12 months – just apply to the AEC three months before the registration expires.

• Application for registration as an overseas elector form [PDF 107k]. This form may be completed on screen prior to printing out and signing.

Registered overseas electors can also be General Postal Voters. General Postal Voters do not have to visit an overseas post to vote in person or apply for a postal vote. You will automatically be sent ballot papers for each election until you change your enrolled address

I'm not enrolled and I'm currently overseas

Australian citizens who are overseas and not currently enrolled may still be eligible to enrol and vote for federal elections. If you have been overseas for less than three years and intend to return to Australia within six years, you are eligible to enrol from outside Australia. If you have been overseas for longer than three years and are currently not on the electoral roll, then you are not eligible to enrol or vote.

• Application for enrolment from outside Australia form [PDF 174KB]. This form may be completed on screen prior to printing out and signing. It must be returned to the AEC by the close of rolls when a federal election is called.

If you are a child or spouse of a registered overseas voter you may also be eligible to enrol. To be eligible to enrol as a child or spouse, you must have been younger than 18 when moving overseas and intend to return to Australia within 6 years.

• Enrolling as the child or spouse of an eligible overseas elector [PDF 161KB].

I'm living overseas permanently

If you are living overseas permanently please complete an Overseas Notification form [PDF 69k] to request that your name is removed from the electoral roll.

More information

• I'll be overseas - FAQ