Early Voting for Federal Election Begins April 22: What Australians Need to Know
Canberra, The Gulf Observer: With the federal election fast approaching on May 3, eligible Australians can beat the rush and cast their votes early starting tomorrow, April 22, 2025. The early voting period kicks off the Tuesday after Easter, in line with Australian electoral law, which allows pre-polling no more than 12 days before election day.
Thousands of early voting centres will be open across the country following the Easter break, offering greater flexibility for those unable to vote on the official polling day.
According to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), voters are eligible to vote early if they meet any of the following criteria:
- You will be travelling on May 3
- You are outside your enrolled electorate
- You are located more than 8km from a polling centre
- You are working and unable to leave to vote
- You are seriously ill or in hospital
- You are due to give birth
- You have religious reasons preventing you from voting on election day
- You are in prison
- You fear for your safety
- You are a silent elector (your address is not on the electoral roll)
To find an early voting centre, voters can visit the AEC website and enter their postcode to access a list of nearby locations. For instance, those in Sydney’s CBD (postcode 2000) will find 12 early voting sites within close proximity.
Most centres will operate from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., functioning like regular polling places with the same voting procedures in place.
The AEC encourages all eligible voters to plan ahead and use early voting options if they anticipate being unavailable on election day, ensuring their voice is heard in this pivotal national decision.
