If you don’t vote you’re letting other people, who you might not agree with, make decisions that affect you. But before you can vote you need to enrol.
You are never put on the electoral roll automatically – you need to enrol yourself.
Why vote?
The people who are voted in at elections make decisions that affect you every day. From the number of footy fields you have in your local area, to what is taught in school, how much public transport we have or where new roads and hospitals are built. Then there is the big global stuff like whether we go to war or not, how much foreign aid we give out and how we deal with climate change.
How do I enrol?
Enrolling is easy, and you only need to enrol once to vote at Federal, State and local council elections.
Where do I get the form?
There are a number of ways to find the form:
- Download it from the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) (new window)
- Pick one up from any post office or Coles supermarket
- Pick one up from the VEC office at Level 8, 505 Little Collins Street, Melbourne
- Call 131 832 to ask for one in the mail
How do I fill it in?
The form has instructions, but the Australian Electoral Commission also has a help sheet with tips (new window). When it’s complete, you must sign it by hand and make sure it has been witnessed where appropriate.
Where do I send it?
You can:
- Return it by mail to the VEC, Level 8, 505 Little Collins Street, Melbourne.
- Fax it to (03) 9277 7126 .
- Hand-deliver it to one of the Australian Electoral Commission's Victorian Divisional Offices (new window).
When can I enrol?
You can provisionally enrol when you turn 17 but you can’t vote until you are 18. It’s a bit like getting your P-plates.
Do I have to enrol?
Yes. It’s compulsory to enrol if you:
- Are an Australian citizen (or British subject see below)
- Are aged 18 years or over
- Have lived at your current address in Victoria for at least one month
What if my details change?
You also need to fill out an enrolment form if you have changed your postal address. Visit our Check or change your enrolment page for more information about changing your details after you have enrolled.
What about local council elections?
When you enrol for State and Federal elections, you’re automatically enrolled for the local council that you live in. If you are the first or second named ratepayer on a property, you will also be automatically enrolled for that council.
If you’re not automatically enrolled for a particular local council, you may still be able to apply to vote at a local council election. Visit the VEC website (new window) to find out more.
Links
Victorian Electoral Commission
Australian Electoral Commission
