Voting for the Australian Federal Election 2013 starts as early as Tuesday, Aug 20, 2013 across the country in every state and territory - that is for the early voters only. Early voting can be done from Mondays thru Fridays and for some locations even Saturdays. Early voters can vote up until Sept 6, 2013.

Who are eligible for Early Voting?

According to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), one can vote early either in person or by post if on election day he or she is:

  • are outside the electorate where you are enrolled to vote
  • are more than 8km from a polling place
  • are travelling
  • are unable to leave your workplace to vote
  • are seriously ill, infirm or due to give birth shortly (or caring for someone who is)
  • are a patient in hospital and can't vote at the hospital
  • have religious beliefs that prevent you from attending a polling place
  • are in prison serving a sentence of less than three years or otherwise detained
  • are a silent elector, meaning he or she wants to keep his or her address private and he or she has moved/changed name
  • have a reasonable fear for your safety.

"You are eligible for an early vote if on election day you'll be outside your electorate; more than 8km from a polling place; approaching childbirth; seriously ill or caring for someone who is; or unable to attend a polling place due to religious beliefs, fear for personal safety, disability or work commitments," Electoral Commissioner Ed Killesteyn said in a press release.

"Visiting an early voting centre is the easiest way to cast your early vote, but if you're unable to get to a centre or to a polling place on election day, you can apply immediately for a postal vote. Postal vote applications can be completed and submitted online to the AEC. If you are unable to go online, hardcopy forms are available from any AEC office or Australia Post outlet. Once the AEC processes your completed postal vote application, your ballot papers will be sent to you. If you are registered as a General Postal Voter you do not need to complete an application form as your ballot papers will be automatically sent to you. It is important that you apply early for a postal vote to ensure there is ample time to deliver the ballot papers and for you to complete them by election day," Mr Killesteyn explained further.

As for the mobile polling for those voting from hospitals and nursing homes and remote areas, rolling out will happen on Aug 26.

Overseas voting for those voters residing in 80 locations around the world will start on Aug 26. Voters can vote from the pre-poll voting centres listed from this link: http://www.aec.gov.au/election/where-can-i-vote.htm

There are 1717 candidates running to contest for the Australian federal Election 2013. These candidates include 529 Senate candidates for the 40 Senate vacancies and 118 candidates for the 150 House of representative seats.