Key Points
- Postal voting applications for the Voice to Parliament referendum will close on 11 October.
- The Australian Electoral Commission says applications received after this deadline will be deemed too late.
- Voting in the referendum is compulsory; if you can't vote via post, you'll need to vote in another way.
Australians who can't access physical voting booths on 14 October, the day of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum, or during the early voting period can apply for a postal vote.
After opening on 11 September, applications for postal voting will close on 11 October at 6pm local time.
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) says it's "highly preferred" that applications be received earlier than that.
How do I cast a postal vote in the Voice to Parliament referendum?
To cast a postal vote, you'll need to submit an application to the AEC. You can do so or by filling in a paper form and returning it to an AEC office.
If you're already registered as a general postal voter (more info on that below), you'll receive your referendum ballot paper in the mail.
If you're not enrolled, you can do so via the AEC's website or by submitting a paper form. If you are enrolled, the AEC is encouraging you to check that your details are up to date.
The AEC is also urging the public to consider their options carefully. "Voting early in person may be an easier option than voting by post," it says.
Who can apply to cast a postal vote?
There are two categories of postal voters.
You can apply to become either a general postal voter, which means you are registered to vote via post for every referendum or federal election, or a single postal voter, which means you'll be approved to cast a postal vote for just this one occasion.
There is a lower threshold to become a single postal voter, and it's more common than becoming a general postal voter.
You can apply for a single postal vote if on voting day you:
- Are outside the division where you are enrolled to vote.
- Are more than 8km from a polling place or travelling.
- Are unable to leave your workplace to cast a vote.
- Are seriously ill, infirm, or due to give birth shortly, or caring for someone who is.
- Are a patient in hospital and can't vote at the hospital
- Have religious beliefs that prevent you from attending a polling place
- Are in prison serving a sentence of less than three years or otherwise detained
- Are a silent elector
- Have a reasonable fear for your safety.
You can apply to become a general postal voter if you:
- Have physical disabilities or health issues that prevent you from visiting a polling booth.
- Are caring for a seriously ill or infirm person.
- Are enrolled at an address more than 20km from a polling booth.
- Are serving a prison sentence of under three years.
- Are a patient at a hospital or nursing home and unable to travel to a polling place
- Are unable to attend a polling place due to religious beliefs.
- Are serving in the defence forces, or as Australian Police Force officers or silent electors.
What happens if I miss the postal voting application deadline?
On its website, the AEC says any postal voting applications received after the 11 October deadline will not be accepted.
Voting in the referendum is compulsory. If you miss the deadline and wish to avoid a fine, you'll need to vote in another way.
You can vote in-person at either an early voting centre or on voting day at a polling place.
The AEC will send mobile polling teams to many residential aged care facilities, residential mental health facilities, homeless shelters and prisons.
Telephone voting will be available for people who are blind or have low vision, or who are working in Antarctica.
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