Australians who have not yet registered to vote in the upcoming federal election have until 8pm local time tonight to do so. As mandated by law, all citizens aged 18 and above must be enrolled in order to cast their vote on May 3, 2025. Those who fail to register or update their information risk facing fines for not participating in the election.
To ensure proper enrolment, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) advises that completing the online enrolment form on their website is the fastest method. Jeff Pope, the Australian Electoral Commissioner, encourages eligible voters to act promptly, as over 18 million Australians are already registered. Alternatively, individuals may collect a printed form from any AEC office, but they must return the completed form either in person or via the AEC website, as mailing is no longer an option.
Once the deadline of 8pm passes, Australians will lose the opportunity to either enrol or update their registration details, whether online or at AEC offices. This election is shaping up to have the highest enrolment rates in Australia’s history, with projections indicating that around 98% of eligible voters will be registered. Since the election announcement on March 28, the AEC has processed over 400,000 new registrations, averaging 40,000 daily.
Jeff Pope highlighted that the upcoming election promises an unprecedented level of democratic engagement, marking a significant milestone in Australia’s voting history.