Primary school fact sheet - Enrol to vote

Updated 24 Aug 2021

Enrolment means you can vote in elections.

You give your name and address to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC)

You can do it online at www.aec.gov.au or you can fill out a paper form.

Your name and address are put on a list of names called the electoral roll. IF you move house or change your name you need to tell the AEC.

The AEC automatically enrols some people. They will write to tell you.

You cannot vote if your name is not on the electoral roll.

Yes, it is compulsory to enrol if you are:

  • 18 years old or over, and
  • An Australian citizen.

You can enrol early if you are between 16 and 18 years of age.

Yes, you must vote if you are 18 or older.

You cannot vote if you are under 18 even if you have enrolled.

In Australia voting is a civic duty like paying taxes and going to school.

It is your right to choose the people who represent you in parliament.

Compulsory voting means everyone has a say about who is elected.

Alfred Deakin, our second Prime Minister, introduced compulsory voting in Australia.

Introduction of compulsory enrolment and voting laws in Australia
Area Compulsory enrolment Compulsory voting
Australia 1911 1924
Queensland 1914 1914
Victoria 1923 1926
New South Wales 1921 1928
South Australia 2009 1942
Tasmania 1930 1928
Western Australia 1919 1936
In the ACT and Northern Territory compulsory enrolment and voting started when the new governments were set up.

Indigenous Australians could enrol and vote in federal elections from 1949 but it was not compulsory until 1984.

Yes, you can see the roll at Elections ACT or at Australian Electoral Commission offices.