Skip to contentInformation for people with disabilityInformation on accessibility
Australian Electoral Commission
Hundreds of early voting centres will be in operation across Australia during a two-week early voting period that begins next week.
Early voting centre locations, opening days and hours are available on the AEC website via our voting centre location tool.
Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers is encouraging voters to plan their vote for the first referendum Australia has had since 1999.
“Federal referendums are in-person events just like elections – this is the first time the country is coming together in nearly a quarter of a century to have their say on potential Constitutional change.” Mr Rogers said.
“If you can vote on October 14, then that’s what you should do. However, if your circumstances might prevent you from doing that then you need to think about the early voting options available and vote according to your circumstances.”
“Remember, it is compulsory to vote for all enrolled Australians.”
AECTV video: Is voting compulsory?
If you cannot make it to a polling place during the early voting period, or on voting day itself, you can apply for a postal vote here. Applications close on Wednesday 11 October at 6pm local time.
Nobody likes to wait, and the AEC works hard on minimising queues for Australian voters as much as possible.
“The fact is that when you run an in-person process to the scale of a federal referendum where people effectively choose when and where they attend, you simply cannot prevent all queues.” Mr Rogers said.
“This is also a good opportunity to remind voters that AEC polling officials are members of your community – parents, grandparents, neighbours and work colleagues - they will be doing a great job at delivering the vote and that deserves respect.”
“We simply ask that Australians be patient while waiting to cast their vote and maybe give our staff a smile and a thank you on the way through.”
In addition to planning when and where to vote, it’s important to know how to vote formally in a referendum.
When you go to vote, you will receive one ballot paper with one question – the question will ask if you approve the proposed alteration. On the referendum ballot paper, you need to indicate your vote by clearly writing either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ in the box, in full and in English.
The AEC acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.