1. Am I eligible to apply for a postal vote?
By definition, people who are enrolled to vote in Australia but who will be overseas on polling day are eligible to apply for a postal vote.
2. How do I get a postal vote form?
(a) To receive a postal vote form you must post, fax or email a correctly completed Postal Vote Application to any Australian embassy, consulate, high commission or mission, where you can also submit it in person. If you choose to use email you must print, sign and then scan the completed form before emailing
(b) The embassy or mission must receive the Postal Vote Application form by 6:00pm on the Thursday before polling day - 22 November 2007
(c) The embassy or mission will then post ballot papers and postal voting material to an address of your choice.
3. When is the deadline for completing the ballot papers and my postal vote?
You must complete the ballot papers, sign it and have your witness sign and date it.
You then need to post these materials in the declaration vote envelope before 6:00pm AEST on Election Day - Saturday 24 November. Ballot papers completed after Election Day cannot be included in the count
4. Who can witness my postal vote?
You must sign your application form in front of a witness. If you are overseas, the following persons may act as witness:
- an Australian citizen
- an elector whose name appears on a Commonwealth of Australia electoral roll
- an officer of the defence forces of Australia or of a Commonwealth country
- a person in the Public Service of Australia (or a Territory, or a Commonwealth country)
- a Justice of the Peace for a State or Territory or a Commonwealth country
- a minister of religion or a medical practitioner resident in a State or Territory or a Commonwealth country
Spouses may witness each other’s signature provided both are qualified witnesses. Please note that a candidate cannot witness a postal vote application.
Ensure your witness signs and dates the application - it is expected that your signature date, and that of your witness, will be the same.
5. What if I am overseas and can’t find a suitable witness?
If you are overseas and there is no suitable witness available, you may submit your application together with the following:
- Your signed statement setting out why your application could not be witnessed, and
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A photocopy of your passport which you have certified to be a true copy and which shows (i) the country and date of issue, (ii) the passport number, (iii) your date of birth, signature and photograph
6. What do I do if the postal delivery in my area is inconsistent?
If delivery of your postal voting material by post is not suitable because you live in an area with limited postal deliveries, you may request an alternative means of delivery.
7. Do I need to register for a postal vote if I have already registered as a General Postal Voter?
Do NOT complete a postal vote application if you are already registered as a General Postal Voter with the AEC – your ballot papers will automatically be sent to you.
