Skip to contentInformation for people with disabilityInformation on accessibility
Australian Electoral Commission
The AEC is asking anyone who needs a postal vote, but has not yet applied, to do so this week.
The latest urging from the AEC follows earlier advice for people to plan their vote early and, if needed, apply for a postal vote early in the election period.
Australia has some of the best in-person voting options in the world. If a voter can turn up to a voting centre, then that is what they must do.
While the legislated deadline for postal vote applications is next Wednesday 30 April, anyone who leaves it until the final week risks their postal vote pack not arriving in time.
Voters who do not receive their postal vote pack by Friday 2 May should, if at all possible, make arrangements to vote in-person on election day. Voters who fail to cast a vote will be contacted by the AEC and asked to explain why they did not vote.
With around 2.2 million postal vote packs already distributed the AEC is also urging anyone who has received their postal vote ballot papers to complete them as soon as possible and put them in the return mail (using the reply-paid envelope supplied as part of the pack).
Once a postal vote pack is received, a voter must have completed their ballot paper, place it in the return envelope and had it witnessed before the close of polling on election day.
“There’s no time to waste. Any applications received after the end of this week become quite difficult to fulfill for some voters, depending on their circumstances.”
“People who need a postal vote have been able to apply since 31 March and I’m very thankful to the 2.3 million people who listened to our advice and have applied already.
“We’re getting applications each day of course but for the majority of people that applied in the early stages of the election, their postal vote pack is either already with them or well on its way.”
“Australians are far more fortunate than most when it comes to the voting options that are available to them but that doesn’t mean there is no need to plan, and potentially act early.”
“We’ll be working with Australia Post very closely to do whatever we can to get postal vote packs to everyone who applies. However, in some circumstances, this becomes very difficult with an application late in the election period.”
“Mail delivery isn’t instant, and postal services globally have had no choice but to change. That means people need to plan ahead.”
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.