Australians abroad during the federal election on May 3, including Greek Australians,will still be able to cast their vote via overseas voting centres.

Among these voting centres will be one set up at the Australian embassy in Athens, with citizens given the means to vote via the ballot boxes (Address: 5 Hatzigianni-Mexi, telephone number +30 21 0870 4000).

When can you vote?

Citizens will able to vote at the Australian embassy from as early as April 23 up until May 2, in accordance with the following organised schedule:

  • Wednesday April 23 to Friday April 25: 8.30am – 3pm
  • Monday 28 April to Wednesday 30 April: 8.30am – 3pm
  • Friday 2 May: 8.30am – 12pm

The embassy’s post noted that participation in federal elections is not mandatory for Australians abroad. However, according to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), “if you do not notify the AEC, we will write to you and ask you to explain why you did not vote.”

“If you are overseas and unable to vote in person or by postal vote, you will need to complete and submit the notification form (formupload.aec.gov.au/Form?FormId=osn).”

The AEC stated that voting centres will be made available around the world and not just in Greece, commencing from two weeks before election day.

Not all overseas voting centres will be open for the entire two weeks and the dates and hours of operation will vary, according to the schedule in Greece.

The list of overseas polling stations for the rest of the world is available at aec.gov.au/election/fe25/overseas-voting-locations.

“These centres can provide in-person voting and accept your completed postal vote,” the AEC stated while adding that:

“If you are unable to vote in person, you can apply for a postal vote (www.aec.gov.au/election/pva)”.

More details can be found at the website of your nearest Australian embassy, consulate or high commission.

They advised people check regularly whether they offer in-person voting and collect postal votes, days and hours of operation, whether you need to make an appointment to vote, security or entry requirements.

More information for those voting from Greece can be sourced at: greece.embassy.gov.au/athn/25FedElect

Caution with postal voting

Citizens who want to vote by post in the upcoming elections are also warned by the AEC to be mindful.

The AEC, which is the sole distributor of postal ballots, noted that information and links to applications for postal voting are sent by parties or candidates to voters via SMS or by post.

Sometimes they even use the same colours as the AEC logo, which can mislead voters.

The practice is not illegal, but it can compromise voter privacy and lead to ballots being sent out late.

“Concerns about party postal ballot requests through unsolicited communication are the number one complaint we hear from voters in almost every election,” said AEC chief Jeff Pope.

“People should always carefully consider what they do with their personal information.

“The AEC takes privacy seriously…political parties don’t have to.”

The AEC recommends that citizens vote in person either on election day, 3 May, or early (with the process starting two weeks before).

If voters are unable to go to a polling station, they can apply for a postal vote directly from the AEC website (aec.gov.au/election).