Casting your vote in the Voice referendum

On Saturday 14 October 2023, Australians will vote on whether to change the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament. Being prepared for the upcoming vote, and making an informed decision, is important.

How do I know if I’m enrolled and my details are up to date? 

If you are an eligible Australian citizen aged 18 and over, voting in Federal elections and referendums is mandatory. International students cannot vote in Australian referendums.  

If you have previously voted in an election, you will not need to enrol again. The deadline to enrol or update details was 18 September. 

It is important to note that it is every eligible Australian's right and responsibility to vote. 

How do I vote on the day?

On Saturday 14 October you will be able to cast your vote in person at any polling place in your state or territory between 8am and 6pm. Polling places are usually at local schools, churches and community halls, or public buildings. Information about polling places will be released by the AEC closer to the date.

If you’re eligible for early voting, you can vote at an early voting centre in the two weeks leading up to the polling day.

Postal voting is available if you can’t vote in person on polling day or during the early voting period. 

If you will be out of the country during the referendum period, you may be able to vote at an overseas voting location or by post. Voting in a referendum is not compulsory for Australians overseas, but if you are unable to vote you need to submit an overseas notification form.

How is a referendum different from voting in an election?

While the process of voting at the polling booths will be very similar, the ballot paper will look different.

The proposed change to the Constitution and the proposal to establish a Voice to Parliament will be written out on the ballot paper, and you will be asked to write 'yes' or 'no' in a box on the paper.

Accessible voting

If you are blind or have low vision, there is a telephone voting service. Further accessibility information for polling places will be available on the AEC website closer to the date.

Find out more about the issues behind the referendum

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.