• Is it compulsory to be on the electoral roll if I am overseas?
• I am going overseas for up to a year, what should I do?
• I am going overseas for a year or more, what should I do?
• I have lived overseas for many years. Can I re-enrol to vote in Australian elections?
• Can I vote whilst overseas?
• Is it compulsory to vote if I am overseas?
• Can I have my name taken off the electoral roll while I am living overseas?
• Which electorate/division am I enrolled in?
• I am already overseas and have just turned 18. Do I have to go onto the electoral roll?
• Can I enrol for an overseas address?
• Can I check that I am on the electoral roll via the internet?
• Can I vote via the internet?
• Can I enrol from outside Australia or register as an overseas elector via the internet?
• What happens if I don’t vote - will I be penalised?
• How do I vote while I am travelling?

Is it compulsory to be on the electoral roll if I am overseas?

Enrolment and voting by people outside Australia is not compulsory. However, if you are enrolled and you do not vote, or apply for a postal vote at a federal election, your electoral enrolment may be cancelled. Whether you are going overseas for either a short or long period of time you should let the AEC know that you will be away from your enrolled address. If you don’t you run the risk of having your name removed from the roll.

I am going overseas for up to a year, what should I do?

If you are going overseas for a short period of time and you will be returning to your address in Australia, you should let the AEC know by completing and submitting an Overseas Notification form [PDF 69k].

I am going overseas for a year or more, what should I do?

If you are going overseas permanently or indefinitely you must complete and submit an Overseas Notification form [PDF 69k]. This will remove you from the roll.

If you are going overseas for more than one year and less than six you can choose to remain on the roll by registering as an overseas elector [PDF 94k] or you can ask to be removed from the roll in your absence by completing an Overseas Notification form [PDF 69k].

I have lived overseas for many years. Can I re enrol to vote in Australian elections?

If you are not currently enrolled and have been overseas for more than three years, you are not eligible to enrol from outside Australia.

If you have been living overseas for less than three years and intend to return within six, you may be able to enrol from outside Australia and register as an overseas elector. Further information can be found in Overseas Electors - Eligibility and Forms.

Can I vote whilst overseas?

Only if you are listed on the current electoral roll are you are eligible to vote from overseas. To check whether you are enrolled please use our Online Enrolment Verification Facility. You do not have to register as an overseas elector to vote, however you should register if you are going overseas for between 12 months and 6 six years to ensure that your name remains on the roll in your absence. Information on voting options for overseas electors is available once an election has been announced.

Is it compulsory to vote if I am overseas?

Enrolment and voting by people outside Australia is not compulsory, however if you are going overseas you are required to inform the AEC. For information and the relevant forms, please see Overseas Electors - Eligibility and Forms.

Can I have my name taken off the electoral roll while I am living overseas?

If you are living overseas and have no immediate plans to return to Australia, you can have your name removed from the electoral roll. To request that your name be removed please complete an Overseas Notification Form [PDF 69k].

Which electorate/division am I enrolled in?

To check which electorate/division you are enrolled in, please use our Electorate search. You are able to search by suburb or postcode. If your suburb is covered by more than one electorate please phone +61 2 6271 4411 for further information.

Alternatively you can check which electorate you are enrolled in by using our Enrolment Verification Facility.

I am already overseas and have just turned 18. Do I have to go onto the electoral roll?

It is not compulsory to enrol while you are living outside of Australia.

However, people who are not NOT already enrolled and turned 18 within three years of leaving Australia, and intend to resume residing in Australia within six years from the date of departure, may enrol if they wish to.

If you left Australia before turning 18 (and before you were enrolled) you can enrol from outside Australia when you turn 18 even if you have lived overseas for more than three years provided:

your parent (or spouse) is registered as an overseas elector and you left Australia to be with or near your parent or spouse and you intend to return to live in Australia within six years after your 18th birthday

You may enrol by completing an Application for Enrolment by the Spouse or Child of an Overseas Elector

Can I enrol for an overseas address?

No, you cannot enrol for an overseas address as there is no provision under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 for an expatriate roll. You must enrol and vote for the electorate for which you were previously entitled to be enrolled in.

Can I check that I am on the electoral roll via the internet?

You may verify your enrolment by using our Online Enrolment Verification Facility.

Alternatively you can phone 13 23 26 in Australia or +61 2 6271 4411 from overseas or email info@aec.gov.au.

Can I vote via the internet?

The introduction of internet or computerised voting is not a feasible proposition at this time, as a number of security, technical, financial, access and equity issues have to be solved before it could become a fact of electoral life.

There is no appropriate software technology for use in a full preferential voting system.

Many voters, especially the elderly and those with poor literacy and numeracy skills may have difficulty with using the internet.

There is a risk of fraud and errors occurring in software without the safeguard of paper ballots to recount.

Start up costs would be significant.

The AEC would still need to continue to provide traditional voting facilities for those with no internet access.

Can I enrol from outside Australia or register as an overseas elector via the internet?

No. The relevant form must be completed and hand signed. It can then be faxed or mailed to the AEC.

The original form should still be sent through the mail with the words "Form faxed/emailed on [date]" written on it in red.

What happens if I don’t vote - will I be penalised?

If you are not in Australia on polling day and you haven't informed the AEC you will not be fined for not voting. In due course the AEC will write to you, asking you to explain why you did not vote. This is your opportunity to explain that you were overseas on polling day.

How do I vote while I am travelling?

If you are living overseas and currently on the Commonwealth electoral roll, you are eligible to vote in Australian federal elections. As arrangements for State and local Government elections can be different from federal elections, you will need to contact your State/Territory electoral office for more details. You can cast your vote for federal elections by either voting in person at an overseas polling place (ie. an Australian Diplomatic Mission) or by applying for a postal vote. You cannot vote electronically.

Postal vote applications (PVA) are also available from the AEC web site once an election has been announced. The PVA must be printed off from the web site, completed and then either faxed or posted to your nearest overseas polling place. Your ballot papers will then be sent to you.

The AEC will also have special pre-poll centres set up at some airports around Australia prior to polling day so that you may vote before you leave the country.