Voting in the 2025 Australian Federal Election: A Guide for Expats Living in the Middle East
As an Australian citizen residing in the Middle East, it’s crucial to understand how you can participate in the upcoming 2025 Australian Federal Election, scheduled for Saturday, May 3, 2025.
This guide provides detailed information on where and when you can vote, as well as other essential considerations.
Key Dates to Remember:
- Election Day: Saturday, May 3, 2025.
- Early Voting Period: Early voting typically commences 12 days before election day. Specific dates and times will be confirmed closer to the election.
- Postal Vote Application Deadline: Applications for postal votes close at 6:00 PM Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
Voting Options for Australians Overseas
As an Australian expat in the Middle East, you have two primary options to cast your vote.
- In-Person Voting at Australian Embassies or Consulates: Many Australian diplomatic missions offer in-person voting services during the early voting period.
- Postal Voting: If you cannot access an embassy or consulate, you can apply for a postal vote. Ensure you apply as early as possible to account for mail delivery times.
Voting Details by Country
Here are the voting arrangements for Australian expats in select Middle Eastern countries:
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
In-Person Voting
- Embassy of Australia, Abu Dhabi: NBH Tower (formally Al Muhairy Centre – 16th Floor – Zayed The First St – Al Hisn – W4 – Abu Dhabi
- Australian Consulate-General, Dubai: Level 25 BurJuman Business Tower, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Road, Mankhool,، Bur Dubai – Dubai
You will be able to vote in-person at the Australian Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Australian Consulate-General in Dubai, according to this schedule below:
| Day | Opening Hours |
| Wednesday, 23 April 2025 | 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Thursday, 24 April 2025 | 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Friday, 25 April 2025 | 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Monday, 28 April 2025 | 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday, 29 April 2025 | 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday, 30 April 2025 | 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Thursday, 1 May 2025 | 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Friday, 2 May 2025 | 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
*Please note that all times are local to this polling place.
What to expect:
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- Advance online booking is not required for voting at the Embassy or Consulate.
- To gain entry to the Australian Embassy or Australian Consulate-General, you will need to show valid Australian photo identification and undergo security screening. Identification is not required to vote.
- Know your electorate! Knowing your enrolled address is important when filling out your declaration to vote.
- Please note voting will not be available at the Embassy or Consulate on election day, Saturday 3 May 2025. You must vote by Friday, 2 May 2025.
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For more information, visit the UAE Australian Embassy website – https://uae.embassy.gov.au/.
Saudi Arabia (KSA)
In-Person Voting
Embassy of Australia, Riyadh: Abdullah Al-Sahmi Street, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh 11693, Saudi Arabia
In-person voting for the Australian Federal Election is available at the Embassy between the 27th April to the 1st of May 2025 from 8:30am to 4:00pm.
Visit the Australian Embassy in Saudi Arabia’s website for further details – https://saudiarabia.embassy.gov.au/.
Postal Voting
Submit your postal vote application via the AEC website as early as possible. Completed ballots can be mailed directly to the AEC or dropped off at the Australian Embassy in Riyadh.
Qatar
In-Person Voting
Embassy of Australia, Doha: Tornado Tower, Majlis Al Taawon St, Doha, Qatar
You will be able to vote in-person at the Australian Embassy, Qatar according to this schedule below:
| Day | Opening Hours |
| Wednesday 23 April 2025 | 10:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 16:00 |
| Thursday 24 April 2025 | 10:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 16:00 |
| Sunday 27 April 2025 | 10:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 16:00 |
| Monday 28 April 2025 | 10:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 16:00 |
| Tuesday 29 April 2025 | 10:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 16:00 |
| Wednesday 30 April 2025 | 10:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 16:00 |
| Thursday 1 May 2025 | 10:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 16:00 |
*Please note that all times are local to this polling place.
What to expect:
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- Voting will not be available on election day, Saturday 3 May 2025. You must vote by Thursday, 1 May 2025.
- Advance online appointment booking is not required.
- To gain entry to the Australian Embassy, you will need to show valid Australian photo identification and undergo security screening.
- Know your electorate! Knowing your enrolled address is important when filling out your declaration to vote in the Australian Federal Election.
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For more information, refer to the Australian Embassy in Qatar’s official website – https://qatar.embassy.gov.au/.
Kuwait
In-Person Voting
Embassy of Australia, Kuwait City: Dar Al-Awadi Complex (12th floor), Ahmed Al-Jaber Street, Sharq, Kuwait
You will be able to vote in-person at the Australian Embassy Kuwait according to this schedule below:
| Day | Opening Hours |
| Sunday 27 April 2025 | 10:00 – 14:00 |
| Monday 28 April 2025 | 10:00 – 14:00 |
| Tuesday 29 April 2025 | 10:00 – 14:00 |
| Wednesday 30 April 2025 | 10:00 – 14:00 |
| Thursday 1 May 2025 | 10:00 – 14:00 |
*Please note that all times are local to this polling place.
What to expect:
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- Advance online appointment booking is not required
- To gain entry, you will need to present a valid Australian photo identification and undergo security screening.
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Visit the Australian Embassy in Kuwait’s website for updates – https://kuwait.embassy.gov.au/.
General Guidelines for Overseas Voting
- Enrolment: Ensure you are enrolled to vote and that your details are up to date. You can check your enrolment status on the AEC website.
- Identification: Carry valid photo identification, such as your Australian passport or driver’s license, when attending in-person voting.
- Security and Entry Requirements: Some embassies may have specific security protocols or require appointments for entry. Verify these details on the respective embassy’s website before visiting.
- Postal Vote Completion: For your postal vote to be counted, it must be completed before 6:00 PM Australian Western Standard Time (AWST) on May 3, 2025, and received by the AEC in Australia by 6:00 PM Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) on May 16, 2025.