Additional guidance for voting services overseas

The AEC partners with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and Austrade to provide voting services overseas through Australia’s embassies, high commissions and consulates.

In-person voting services will be available during the two-week pre-poll voting period. Opening days and times vary by location depending on their security and operational needs. Australia’s diplomatic posts may also collect postal votes for return to Australia. After the election announcement, a list of overseas voting locations will be available on the AEC website.

The number of votes taken at each overseas location varies considerably. The number of votes received at the 2022 federal election for each overseas location is available on the AEC website.

Working with AEC, DFAT and Austrade staff

Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) are responsible for the delivery of voting services at their diplomatic post. AROs are committed to delivering the best voting service possible for Australians overseas. They are respectful of the role of campaign workers in the election process, and we expect the same in return - even if a question or concern may arise about arrangements at that location.

Campaign material

The AEC, DFAT and Austrade cannot mail, courier or deliver party or campaign material to an overseas voting location, or pay for any provider to do this. Campaign materials are the responsibility of political parties/candidates. 

If a political party or candidate would like to discuss whether it is possible to store campaign material at a post, they need to liaise directly with the ARO at the post. Contact details for each post are available on their website and they will connect you with the ARO. Storage of any campaign material is at the discretion of the ARO and will be informed by their security, space and operational needs.

If a post receives campaign material, it will be displayed on a table following the below principles:

• The display must not be in the immediate polling area
• The display should be easily accessible for voters
• Campaign materials are displayed equitably to ensure no bias
• A disclaimer on the table will be included saying: “The Australian Electoral Commission and the Australian {embassy, high commission, consulate} in {city} have provided this table for the display of how-to-vote material. All material received is displayed here. It is the sole responsibility of the parties to provide material if they wish to do so.”

AEC, DFAT and Austrade staff cannot hand out or manage this material in any other way apart from placing it in an appropriate position.

If voters ask for material, they will be directed to where it is located outside the polling area.

Where party workers can canvass

The ARO has discretion to decide on what constitutes the entrance of an overseas voting centre and where party workers are able to canvass. AROs will consider the following in making their decision:

• Post security requirements
• Treating all political parties/candidate representatives equally
• Party workers must not obstruct voters from entering the OVC/building
• Many diplomatic posts have security staff. For the safety of all, campaign materials and party workers must not obstruct visibility for the security staff
• Voters should be able to easily obtain the how-to-vote material from the party workers, should they wish
• Building owner requirements relating to building/property access and the placement of banners and signs
• Local council or other government regulations
• The requirements for the placement of how-to-vote material (outlined above)

Campaign materials and party workers must not obstruct AEC signage.

Please discuss with the ARO these factors before displaying campaign materials. Contact details for each post are available on their website and they will connect you with the ARO.

Party workers are responsible for seeking permission of local authorities in that country and building owners for their activities.