How to Vote in Special Circumstances
- What if I can’t get to a polling place on election day?
- What if I’m interstate on election day?
- What if I’m in hospital or a nursing home?
- What if I live in a remote area?
- Can I vote overseas?
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.
Or you can apply to have the ballot papers sent to you. Postal Vote Application forms are available from any Post Office, AEC Office or the website after the announcement of a federal election.
Reasons for Early Voting or Postal Voting include:
- serious illness
- on election day being more than 8km from a polling place in the state or territory for which you are enrolled
- inability to attend a polling place due to religious beliefs
- being outside your home state or territory on election day
- working or travelling on election day
What if I’m interstate on election day?
If you will be interstate on election day you can vote beforehand at an Early Voting Centre, or on election day at an Interstate Voting Centre, or at any AEC Divisional office.
Or, you can apply to have the ballot papers sent interstate to you. Postal Vote Application forms are available from any Post Office, AEC Office or the website at www.aec.gov.au
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 you can vote by post. Postal Vote Application forms should be available from hospital or nursing home receptions.
Postal Vote Application forms are also available from any Post Office, AEC office or the website.
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, AEC Office or the website.
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 from our website www.aec.gov.au Ballot papers will be sent to the address of your choice.
