Around 200,000 Australians have enrolled to vote or updated their details since the federal election was called for Saturday, May 3, but time is running out for others to join them.

The deadline for enrolment in the election will close today at 8pm AEST, leaving just hours left for those who need to catch up.

Federal election 2025 live: Stay across the latest updates from the campaign trail

Catch the latest interviews and in-depth coverage on ABC iview and ABC Listen

Voting is compulsory for all Australian citizens aged 18 years or older.

Voters can check their enrolment information, update their details or enrol for the first time on the AEC’s website: aec.gov.au.

It takes less than 5 minutes and can be done online — on your phone, laptop or desktop.

How do I enrol to vote for this federal election? Your questions answered

For many Australians, May 3 will be the first time they head to the polls. Here’s how you enrol to vote.

If you fail to vote, the fine is $20, according to an AEC spokesperson.

“That is far better in your pocket than in ours,” they said.

“If you don’t vote, you risk not having your say and participating in Australia’s democracy.”

More than 18 million people are estimated to be enrolled, the highest number ever.

“The federal election will have the best base for democratic participation of any federal electoral event in Australia’s history,” an AEC spokesperson said.

“It is likely to be around 98 per cent complete compared to 97.7 per cent for the 2023 referendum and 96.8 per cent at the 2022 federal election, which was a then-record.

“If you cast back to 2010, the estimated completeness of the electoral roll was around 90 per cent.”

Applications for postal votes are now open, while early voting commences on Tuesday, April 22.

Postal vote applications close at 6pm on April 30.

Read more about the federal election:

Want even more? Here’s where you can find all our 2025 federal election coverage