Lyla Lindsey
Postal voting in Australia is a convenient option for those who are unable to vote in person. Electors who are registered as general postal voters will receive ballot papers in the mail after an election has been announced. To apply for a postal vote, individuals can use the Australian Electoral Commission's (AEC) online form or a form sent by a political party or organisation. The AEC will then send a postal vote pack, which includes ballot papers. Postal votes must be returned as soon as possible, and the AEC must receive them by the 13th day after the election to be included in the count.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can apply for postal voting? | People with disabilities, people who are ill, infirm or disabled and unable to attend a polling booth, people with religious beliefs that prevent them from attending a polling booth, people who are working and unable to leave their workplace to vote, people who are residents of a declared institution (e.g. hospital, prison, etc.), people with a suppressed address on the electoral roll, people subject to a direction under the Emergency Management Act 2004 requiring them to quarantine or isolate during polling hours, people living overseas, people enrolled at an address more than 20 km away from any polling place. |
| How to apply | Directly apply through the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) using their online form or use the postal vote application sent by a political party or other organisation. |
| When to apply | Applications must be received by the AEC by 6pm (local time) on the Wednesday before the event's polling day. |
| Postal vote pack delivery | The AEC will send the postal vote pack by Priority Post through Australia Post. Delivery tracking information is not provided. |
| Returning the postal vote | Return the postal vote as soon as possible. It must be received by the 13th day after election day to be included in the count. It can be returned to a polling place in Australia before 6 pm on voting day or to any AEC office before or after election day. |
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What You'll Learn
How to apply for a postal vote
To apply for a postal vote in Australia, you must first meet certain eligibility criteria. These include:
- Distance: You are enrolled at an address more than 20 km away from any polling place.
- Illness: You are a patient at a hospital or nursing home and are unable to travel to a polling place.
- Infirmity: You are unable to travel to a polling place due to being infirm or seriously ill and confined at home.
- Caring for others: You are caring for someone who is seriously ill, infirm, or disabled, preventing you from attending a polling booth.
- Physical disability: You are unable to sign your name due to a physical incapacity.
- Religion: Your religious beliefs or membership of a religious order prevents you from attending a polling place.
- Overseas: You are registered as an overseas elector.
- Silent Elector: Your address has been suppressed on the electoral roll.
- Quarantine: You are subject to a direction under the Emergency Management Act 2004, requiring you to quarantine or isolate during the hours of polling.
If you meet any of the above criteria, you can apply to become a registered postal voter. Here's how to apply for a postal vote:
- Application: You can apply for a postal vote through the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) by using their online form. Alternatively, you can use a postal vote application sent to you by a political party or other organisation. If you choose this option, the party or organisation must forward your form to the AEC for processing.
- Submission: Submit your application to the AEC before the deadline. For postal votes, applications must be received by 6 pm (local time) on the Wednesday before the event's polling day.
- Processing: Once your application is approved, the AEC will send you your postal vote pack. This will be sent by Priority Post through Australia Post if you are in Australia. If you are overseas, your pack will be delivered by DHL international courier.
- Voting: Complete your ballot papers and any other required documentation, such as the postal vote certificate. Ensure that you follow any instructions provided, such as not using staples or clips, as they may damage letter-opening machines.
- Return: Return your postal vote as soon as possible. For your vote to be included in the count, it must be received by the 13th day after election day. You can return it to a polling place in Australia before 6 pm on voting day or to any AEC office before or after the election. If you are overseas, find your nearest return address.
Please note that if you are already a registered General Postal Voter, you do not need to reapply. You will automatically receive your postal vote pack once postal vote production begins.
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Returning your postal vote
You have several options for returning your postal vote. You can return it to a polling place in Australia before 6 pm on voting day, or to any AEC office before or after election day. If you are overseas, find your nearest return address. If you are in Australia, your postal vote pack will be sent by Priority Post through Australia Post. If you are in a regional or remote location, be aware that it may take a little longer to reach you.
If you are overseas, there are several acceptable witnesses, including an officer of the Defence Force or of the naval, military, or air forces of a Commonwealth country, a person appointed under the Public Service Act 1999, a member of the civil or public service of a State or Territory, a Justice of the Peace, a minister of religion, or a medical practitioner. If you cannot show the unsigned postal vote certificate and blank ballot papers to a witness, you will need to follow a different procedure. Write 'OS Wit Alt' in the 'Signature of Witness' box and leave the 'Category of Witness' box blank. You must also provide a signed and dated statement explaining why you do not have a witness, along with a copy of your passport details page.
Please do not use staples or paper clips, as these can damage letter-opening machines. If your ballot paper and certificate are still usable, you can use sticky tape to repair any damage and proceed with completing your postal vote. As long as your vote is still readable, it will be counted.
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Criteria to become a registered postal voter
To become a registered postal voter in Australia, you must meet certain criteria and be eligible to vote by mail. Here are the criteria to become a registered postal voter:
Distance:
If you live in a remote or regional location, you may be eligible for postal voting if you reside more than a specified distance from any polling place. This distance criterion ensures that individuals in geographically challenging areas can cast their votes without having to travel long distances.
Illness or Infirmity:
If you are a patient in a hospital or nursing home, or dealing with serious illness or infirmity at home, you may qualify for postal voting. This criterion accommodates those who are physically unable to travel to a polling station due to their health conditions.
Caring Responsibilities:
Those who are the primary caregivers for individuals with serious illnesses or infirmities can apply for postal voting. This criterion recognises that caregivers may not be able to leave their care responsibilities to attend a polling booth on election day.
Physical Disability:
If you have a physical disability that prevents you from signing your name or makes it challenging to travel to a polling place, you may be eligible for postal voting. This criterion ensures that individuals with physical limitations can still exercise their right to vote.
Religious Beliefs:
If your religious beliefs or membership of a religious order prevents you from attending a polling place on election day, postal voting may be an option. This criterion respects the religious observances that may conflict with in-person voting.
Overseas Electors:
Individuals registered as overseas electors, such as Australian citizens living abroad, can apply for postal voting. This criterion allows Australians residing outside of the country to participate in elections remotely.
Silent Elector:
If you are a silent elector, meaning your address has been suppressed on the electoral roll for privacy or safety reasons, you may be eligible for postal voting. This criterion ensures that individuals who have requested address confidentiality can still cast their votes securely.
It is important to note that the specific criteria and eligibility requirements may vary slightly across different states and territories in Australia. Therefore, it is always advisable to refer to the guidelines provided by the relevant electoral commission in your state or territory for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding postal voting registration.
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What's included in the postal ballot pack
Once you have applied for a postal vote, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) will send you a postal vote pack. This pack will be sent by Priority Post through Australia Post if you are in Australia. If you are overseas, your postal vote pack will be delivered by DHL international courier.
Your postal vote pack will include your ballot papers, a postal vote certificate, and a white return envelope. The postal vote certificate will be a folded piece of paper with 'POSTAL VOTE CERTIFICATE' written on it. The return envelope will hide your personal details on the postal vote certificate while it is on its way back to the AEC.
The postal vote pack will also include a pamphlet with instructions on how to complete your postal vote certificate. You can also use the QR code on your postal vote certificate to watch a video on how to complete your postal vote. This video will show you how to put the certificate inside the return envelope.
If you are outside Australia, you will need to show the unsigned postal vote certificate and blank ballot papers to an acceptable witness. If you cannot do this, you will need to write 'OS Wit Alt' in the 'Signature of Witness' box and leave the 'Category of Witness' box blank. You will also need to provide a signed, dated statement explaining why you do not have a witness and a copy of your passport details page.
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Where to send postal vote applications
If you are applying to be a postal voter, you can apply for a postal vote through the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) by using their online form. You can also use a postal vote application sent to you by a political party or other organisation, but you should be aware that the AEC has no control over what they do with your personal information. If you decide to use the form sent to you, the party/organisation must forward your form to the AEC for processing.
If you prefer, you can return the paper form directly to the AEC by fax or post. The fax number is 02 8009 0814. To send your application by post, use the following address: Australian Electoral Commission, Reply Paid 9988 [Your capital city] [Your state]. No stamp is needed if posted in Australia.
If you are applying to become a registered declaration voter, you must be enrolled and meet one of the following criteria that prevent you from attending a polling place on polling day: Distance (enrolled address is more than 20km from any polling place), illness, infirmity, caring for others, physical disability, religion, overseas elector, or silent elector (suppressed address).
If you are already a registered General Postal Voter, you will automatically be sent your postal vote pack via Australia Post once postal vote production begins. Electors who are registered as general postal voters will be sent ballot papers as soon as practicable after the declaration of nominations for a federal election, the issue of writs for a federal referendum, or according to the legislative timeline for a state or local government election.
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Frequently asked questions
You can apply for a postal vote through the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) by using their online form. Alternatively, you can use the postal vote application sent to you by a political party or organisation, but you must be aware that they will have access to your personal information.
Postal voting is available for those who are unable to attend a polling station due to distance, illness, infirmity, caring responsibilities, physical disability, religious beliefs, work, or quarantine requirements.
If you are outside of Australia, you will need to find your nearest return address and send your postal vote there. You will also need to show your unsigned postal vote certificate and blank ballot papers to an acceptable witness.
Your postal vote must be received by the 13th day after election day to be included in the count.
