Most voting services ever for Australians overseas

Updated: 3 April 2025

Australians who are overseas will be able to vote at 111 overseas voting centres across 83 countries around the world for the 2025 federal election.

Locations and information for all overseas voting centres are now available at aec.gov.au/overseas. The AEC’s website also contains general information about voting while overseas.

The total number of 111 polling centres across 83 countries worldwide, is an improvement to the offering available at the 2023 referendum and a significant improvement from the 2022 federal election, which was conducted under COVID-19 restrictions in most countries around the world.

Postal voting continues to be available for Australians who are unable to vote in person at an overseas voting centre. The AEC is strongly encouraging postal voters to apply for, and to return, their postal votes as quickly as possible in order to give their postal vote as much time as possible to return to the AEC in time to be counted.

Voters in Australia who will be overseas on election day should consider a pre-poll vote at an early voting centre prior to departure. The list of early voting locations in Australia will be available on the AEC website approximately one week prior to early voting starting. Early voting begins on Tuesday 22 April.

AEC TV video: Overseas voting for the 2025 federal election

In-person voting

Overseas voting centres will be available during the early voting period which runs for up to two weeks leading up to election day.

Polling centres will be located at some Australian embassies, consulates and high commissions around the world. Not all centres will be open for the entire two weeks, some may change at short notice and are dependent on the local security environment.

The AEC encourages voters to find their nearest overseas polling centre on the AEC website and go straight to the embassy, consulate or high commission’s website. Carefully check for their opening days and times, as well as any entry or security requirements that they may have.

Postal voting

Australian voters who are unable to attend an overseas in-person voting centre can apply for a postal vote.

The AEC urges electors to apply immediately, to allow time for voting materials to be mailed to their nominated overseas postal address.

Just like for the 2022 federal election and the 2023 referendum, postal votes overseas will have fast-tracked arrangements in place where possible, using point-to-point couriers for dispatch and diplomatic mail for return. Please note that the AEC cannot guarantee the speed of mail delivery services in foreign countries.

While we strive for all Australians to vote, having information to support you being overseas is a valid reason for not voting in the 2025 federal election.

Quotes 

  • Attributable to Australian Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope 

“For many Australians overseas, voting at an embassy or high commission is a rite of passage and a great part of Australia’s festival of democracy”.

“We are lucky to have one of the most open and accessible federal electoral systems in the world. Whether you’re residing, working or holidaying overseas, don’t miss out on the opportunity to make your vote count”.

“If you can attend an overseas voting centre, then this is what you should do. If your circumstances prevent you from doing so, you should apply for a postal vote as soon as possible, to give your ballot the best chance to reach you in time for election day”.

“The current overseas service provision footprint would not have been possible without the strong ongoing co-operation between the AEC and its partners, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Austrade”.

“We don’t control or operate overseas postal services. We do everything in our power to bring the vote to people around the world, but are conscious that there might be external circumstances, such as geographical locations of some electors or postal delays, that might prevent people from voting”.

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