Enrolling to vote
It is compulsory in Australia for all Australian citizens over the age of 18 to enrol and vote in Federal elections and referendums. Everyone has a right to vote.
Some people may need additional support to enrol and vote. The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) provides assistance for people living with disability to ensure they are not disadvantaged from participating in the electoral system.
Easy read guides on how to enrol and vote
It is compulsory in Australia for all Australian citizens over the age of 18 to enrol and vote in Federal elections and referendums. Everyone has a right to vote.
Some people may need additional support to enrol and vote. The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) provides assistance for people living with disability to ensure they are not disadvantaged from participating in the electoral system.
Accessible website and voting information
Shortly after an election is announced, the AEC will release a guide with information on when and where to vote, assistance available at polling places and how to vote correctly and the list of candidates.
The guide and list are provided accessible formats, including braille, audio and large print.
The AEC website also features the ReadSpeaker application which reads the content aloud. You can also save any content from the AEC’s website as an MP3 file. Click on the ‘Listen’ button to access the application.
If you are deaf or have hearing difficulties, you can contact the National Relay Service (NRS).
Accessible voting options
There are a range of accessible voting options to vote at a polling place and other voting options including postal and mobile.
A list of polling places will be made available during an election. Each polling place has an accessibility rating to assist people with disabilities or mobility restrictions. These ratings are:
- wheelchair accessible
- assisted wheelchair access, or
- not wheelchair accessible
You can click on the rating listed against each polling place to find out more about its specific accessibility features.
If you need assistance to vote at a polling place, you can ask someone to help you. Polling place staff are trained to assist you or you can nominate any person (other than a candidate) to assist.
If you are unable to sign your name due to a physical disability
If you are unable to sign your name due to a physical disability you may get someone else to complete your enrolment form and sign it on your behalf.
You will need a registered medical practitioner to complete and sign the medical certificate on the form for it to be complete.
Requesting an exemption from voting and enrolling
If your young person cannot understand the voting process, you can request that they be exempt from enrolling and voting.
To do this, complete an Objection claim that an elector should not be enrolled and get your GP to sign the form before lodging the claim.