I'll be overseas FAQ
Enrolment and voting by people outside Australia is not compulsory. However, if you are enrolled and you do not vote, or apply for a postal vote at a federal election, your electoral enrolment may be cancelled. Whether you are going overseas for either a short or long period of time you should let the AEC know that you will be away from your enrolled address. If you don’t you run the risk of having your name removed from the roll.
If you are going overseas for a short period of time and you will be returning to your address in Australia, you should let the AEC know by completing and submitting an Overseas Notification form [PDF 69k].
If you intend residing overseas for less than six years you can choose to remain on the roll by registering as an overseas elector [PDF 94k].
If you are going overseas permanently or indefinitely you should complete and submit an Overseas Notification form [PDF 69k]. This will remove you from the roll and you will not be able to vote in the future unless you re-enrol.
If you have been living overseas for less than three years and intend to return within six years, you may be able to enrol from outside Australia and register as an overseas elector.
If you are not currently enrolled and have been overseas for more than three years, you are not eligible to enrol from outside Australia and therefore are not eligible to vote.
The AEC regularly reviews the electoral rolls. If you have resided outside Australia for more than three years and have not registered as an overseas elector it is unlikely that you would still be on the electoral roll.
While you are overseas you can vote either in person at an Australian Diplomatic Post which provides full consular services or by applying for a postal vote. Detailed information on voting overseas is available once an election has been announced.
You must be listed on the current electoral roll to be eligible to vote from overseas, check if you're enrolled. You do not have to register as an overseas elector to vote however, you should register to ensure that your name remains on the roll in your absence.
Enrolment and voting by people outside Australia is not compulsory, however if you are going overseas you are required to inform the AEC, further information is available.
If you are living overseas and have no immediate plans to return to Australia, you can have your name removed from the electoral roll. To request that your name be removed please complete an Overseas Notification Form [PDF 69k].
To check which electorate/division you are enrolled in, please use our Electorate search. You are able to search by suburb or postcode. If your suburb is covered by more than one electorate please phone +61 2 6271 4411 for further information.
Alternatively you can check your enrolment online.
It is not compulsory to enrol while you are living outside of Australia.
However, if you are NOT already enrolled and turned 18 within three years of leaving Australia, and intend to resume residing in Australia within six years from the date of departure, you can enrol.
If you left Australia before turning 18 (and before you were enrolled) you can enrol from outside Australia when you turn 18 even if you have lived overseas for more than three years provided: your parent (or spouse) is registered as an overseas elector and you left Australia to be with or near your parent or spouse and you intend to return to live in Australia within six years after your 18th birthday.
You may enrol by completing an Application for Enrolment by the Spouse or Child of an Overseas Elector
No, you cannot enrol for an overseas address as there is no provision under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 for an expatriate roll. You must enrol at an Australian residential address and vote for the electorate for which you were previously entitled to be enrolled in.
Yes, you can check you enrolment online. Alternatively you can phone 13 23 26 in Australia or +61 2 6271 4411 from overseas or email info@aec.gov.au.
No, there is no legislative provision for the AEC to provide internet or computerised voting.
No. The relevant form must be completed and hand signed. It can then be faxed or mailed to the AEC.
The original form should still be sent through the mail with the words "Form faxed/emailed on [date]" written on it in red.
If you are not in Australia on polling day and you haven't informed the AEC you will not be fined for not voting. In due course the AEC will write to you, asking you to explain why you did not vote. This is your opportunity to explain that you were overseas on polling day.
Non-resident Australian citizens and dual nationals will not lose their citizenship entitlement if they do not vote in a federal election.
If you are living overseas and currently on the Commonwealth electoral roll, you are eligible to vote in Australian federal elections. As arrangements for State and local Government elections can be different from federal elections, you will need to contact your State/Territory electoral office for more details. You can cast your vote for federal elections by either voting in person at an overseas polling place (ie. an Australian Diplomatic Mission) or by applying for a postal vote. You cannot vote electronically.
Postal vote applications (PVA) are also available from the AEC web site once an election has been announced. The PVA must be printed off from the web site, completed and then either faxed or posted to your nearest overseas polling place. Your ballot papers will then be sent to you.
The AEC will also have special pre-poll centres set up at some airports around Australia prior to polling day so that you may vote before you leave the country.