"Currently around one in two 18 year olds are on the electoral roll..."
Why should I enrol to vote?
Your vote is your way of making your voice heard.
Enrolling to vote gives you the ability to have a say in how your State and Country are governed.
Voting is a key way of letting politicians know how you feel about issues – and you can’t vote if you’re not enrolled. So if you’re over 17, get on the roll now and make sure you’re ready to have your say when you turn 18.
It is such a simple thing to do, and it is so important that young people have their say in elections. Rather than let others decide your future, make sure you are enrolled to vote and be heard.
The video below is part of the joint initiative between the Australian Electoral Commission and triple j called Rock Enrol, and features some of Australia's top musicians talking about voting.
Am I eligible to vote?
Any person who is; 18 years of age or over, If a person is 17 years old and an Australian citizen, they may enrol but are not entitled to vote until they turn 18. If you will turn 18 years old between the announcement of the election (date of the writ) and polling day and have not already applied for provisional enrolment, you have until close of rolls to apply for enrolmentand
And is an Australian citizen A person who expects to become an Australian citizen between the date of the writ and polling day and is not already enrolled will have until close of rolls to apply for provisional enrolment. Their enrolment will be confirmed once they have provided evidence that they have been granted citizenship.
Or was a British subject on a Commonwealth electoral roll as at 25 January 1984 and has lived for at least one month at their current address.
You are not qualified to enrol if you:
are not 18 years of age or over (17 year olds may enrol provisionally but can not vote until they turn 18);
are not an Australian citizen;
are of unsound mind (incapable of understanding the nature and significance of voting);
have been convicted of treason or treachery and have not been pardoned;
are a permanent resident but not an Australian citizen.
How do I enrol to vote?
To get on the electoral roll for federal, state and government elections:
Obtaining a form:
Filling out an enrolment form will enrol you for federal and state and local government elections.
Pick up an enrolment form from any Australia Post shop/office, AEC Office, State/Territory Electoral Office or download an enrolment form from the side bar on this page.
Alternatively, you can visit an AEC Office and enrol on the spot.
Completing the form:
Completed enrolment forms must be signed by hand and witnessed (where applicable). Electronic signatures cannot be accepted.
Returning the form:
Completed forms can then be faxed or mailed to your nearest Divisonal Office of the AEC (reply paid envelopes are provided at Australia Post shops/offices), or scanned and emailed to info@aec.gov.au
Want to know more about Rock Enrol? Rock Enrol is a joint initiative between the AEC and triple j which aims to encourage young people to have their voice heard by enrolling to vote. You can check out more information on this here. More>>
