Working on election day? Here's when early voting opens

The federal election is just over two weeks away, with Australians to vote for the government they want to lead the country for the next three years. If you can't make it to the voting booths on election day, there are other ways to have your say. Federal election 2025 live: Catch the latest interviews and in-depth coverage on and When is the federal election? Saturday, May 3.

Can I vote early? Yes. An increasing number of Australians have been opting to cast their votes before polling day. Data released by the AEC shows more than 5.



6 million Australians pre-polled in the 2022 federal election, and almost 1.8 million more returned a postal vote. Though technically, there is eligibility criteria for voting early.

Here's what says on early voting eligibility: You can vote early either in person or by post if on polling day you: How do I vote early? One of the easiest ways to vote early is by . These are just like normal voting booths, but they are open before election day. Postal voters will be able to vote as soon as they receive their voting packs in the mail.

They can vote on the day, but they can send in their votes ahead of time too. But if you plan taking this route, you'll need to apply to be postal voter, which you can do via . If you plan on voting by post, you will need to apply by 6pm on Wednesday, April 30.

If you're blind or have low vision, you can vote early via the AEC’s dedicated telephone voting service, which will operate from April 22. But there's strict eligibility criteria for this service, so first. People who are stationed in Antarctica are also eligible to vote over the phone.

Read more about the federal election: Want even more? When does early voting start? Legislation passed in 2021 requires that pre-polling commence This time around, centres won't begin opening until . But this depends on individual voting centres — some might not open until after April 22. Early voting centres generally open a fortnight before the election.

Where can I find an early voting centre near me? The best way is to . You'll be able to . But you'll need to select the "before election day" button.

The chances are that you'll be able to spot the early voting centre pretty easily as you get close to it, because there will be election signs and party volunteers hanging around the entrance. Make sure to select "before election day" when looking for an early voting centre near you. Having trouble seeing this form? Try .

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