The Australian Government is now in a caretaker period in advance of the forthcoming election. Until a new government is sworn in, government operations are conducted in accordance with the caretaker conventions.
Voting in the 3 May 2025 Federal Election
The Australian Federal Election has been announced for Saturday 3 May 2025. If you’re an Australian citizen overseas on the day of the election, you can still have your say by voting at an overseas voting centre or by postal vote.
In-Person Voting
You will be able to vote in-person at the Australian Consulate-General in Kolkata according to this schedule below:
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Monday 28 April 2025 to Friday 2 May 2025 |
10:00 am – 4:00 pm (IST) |
Please note that all times are local to this polling place.
What to expect at the Australian Consulate-General in Kolkata
You will need to show a government-issued identification document at the security desk. Large bags are not permitted into the Australian Consulate-General compound.
Postal Voting
If you are overseas and are unable to vote in-person, you can visit the AEC website to apply for a postal vote.
Postal vote packs will be sent to you by international courier from Australia commencing three weeks before polling day. The latest date to request an overseas postal vote from the AEC is 6pm, Wednesday 30 April 2025. Please note this may be too late for your postal vote to reach you and you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. If you provided an email address or phone number when applying for a postal vote, you will receive an automatic notification when it is dispatched.
If you did not provide an email address or phone number and your postal vote does not arrive within 10 days from the date you submitted your application, call the AEC on +61 2 6160 2600.
You can mail your completed postal vote to the Australian Consulate-General in Kolkata (1A, Ho Chi Minh Sarani, Kolkata 700-071) or drop it off in person no later than 4:00 pm Friday, 2 May 2025.
You can also return your postal vote directly to the AEC in Australia. The cost to return your postal vote by courier or mail to the Australian Consulate-General in Kolkata or to the AEC in Australia is your responsibility.
For your postal vote to be counted it must be completed before 6pm AWST time 3 May 2025, and be received by the AEC in Australia by 6pm Friday 16 May 2025 AEST.
Further information
You must be enrolled to vote. You can enrol, update your details or check your details on the AEC website.
If you can't vote because you are overseas, you need to advise the AEC by completing an Overseas Notification Form.
Find additional information on the election and voting at these websites:
Smartraveller.gov.au.
