How to vote in special circumstances

What if I can't get to a polling place on election day?

If you can't get to a polling place on election day you can cast an Early Vote at any AEC Divisional Office or Early Voting Centre before election day.

Alternatively you can apply to have the ballot papers sent to you. Postal vote application forms are available from any Post Office or AEC office after the announcement of a federal election.

Reasons for early voting or postal voting include:

• Serious illness
• Being more than 8km from a polling place in the state or territory for which you are enrolled on election day
• Inability to attend a polling place due to religious beliefs
• Being interstate on election day
• Working or travelling on election day

What if I'm in hospital or a nursing home?

Selected hospitals and nursing homes are visited by mobile polling teams or have their own polling place. Alternatively, postal vote application forms should be available from any hospital or nursing home reception.

Postal vote application forms are available from anyPost Office or AEC office.

What if I live in a remote area?

Many remote townships and communities are visited by mobile polling teams or you may be eligible to vote by post. Postal vote application forms are available from any Post Office or AEC office.

Can I vote overseas?

Yes. There are two ways to vote while you are overseas:

• In person – at most Australian overseas embassies or missions. Check with the mission or embassy before you visit.
• By post – through all Australian overseas embassies or missions. Ask the mission or embassy for a Postal Vote Application form, fill it in and post, fax or hand it back to the mission or embassy. Postal vote application forms are also available form any AEC office. Ballot papers will be sent to the address of your choice.

Note: If you will be overseas and you wish to be notified when a Federal election is announced, you can subscribe to our Federal election notification service