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Everything you need to know about early voting

Early voting in the 2022 Australian Federal Election has begun, even though May 21 is still two weeks away.

The process allows Australians who can't get to a polling place on election day to cast their ballots in person.

Here's everything you need to know about early voting.

FULL COVERAGE: Federal Election 2022

A voter casts their ballot

When does early voting begin?

Early in-person voting opened on May 9, and runs until Friday, May 20.

Who can vote early?

The Australian Electoral Commission says people should vote on election day if they can do so, but that early voting is the way to go for those who can't get to a polling place on May 21.

"Australian elections are in-person events – once every three years the country comes together in a transparent and secure environment to have their say," Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers said.

"If you can vote on election day then that's what you should do. However, if your circumstances might prevent you from doing that then you need to think about the early voting options available, and vote according to your circumstances."

READ MORE: The key seats that will determine the outcome of the federal election

People who can vote early are those who, on May 21:

  • are outside the electorate where they are enrolled to vote
  • are more than 8km from a polling place
  • are travelling
  • are unable to leave their workplace to vote
  • are seriously ill, infirm, or due to give birth shortly (or caring for someone who is)
  • are a patient in hospital who can't vote at the hospital
  • have religious beliefs that prevent them from attending a polling place
  • are in prison serving a sentence of fewer than three years or otherwise detained
  • are a silent elector
  • have a reasonable fear for their safety

Where can I cast an early vote?

There are more than 500 early polling stations opening up across the country.

To find one close to you, head over to the AEC's website.

Do I need to apply to vote early?

Not if you're voting in person. If you're casting a ballot at an early polling station and are registered to vote, you can simply walk up during the station's opening hours.

You do, however, need to make an application if you wish to submit a postal vote.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Anthony Albanese and Scott Morrison, the two men vying to be Prime Minister

Can I vote early by post instead?

If you're unable to get to a polling place on May 21, you're eligible for a postal vote, which can (and, indeed, should) be filled out and sent off before election day.

You need to apply to be able to vote by post. Applications can be submitted on the AEC's website by May 18.

The postal ballots themselves need to be completed before or on May 21 – and signed by a witness – and the AEC needs to receive them no later than 13 days after polling day, otherwise the vote won't be counted.

READ MORE: Redistribution – The brutal game of musical chairs for parliamentary MPs

What if I'm overseas?

The AEC strongly encourages Australians who are overseas to submit their votes by mail, and to do so as early as possible.

There are, however, some in-person polling places in other countries. The AEC has a list of all the overseas postal vote return locations on their site.

headline

Dream come true as Wiggles play private gig for girl pulled from drain

One-year-old Nayvah Walkley was treated to a private performance from her favourite band this week.

It was a dream come true for the little girl as The Wiggles paid a special visit after she fell into a backyard drain in South Australia last month.

The Adelaide girl made headlines across the nation when her foot became wedged in the pipe.

READ MORE: Man hospitalised after 'targeted' shooting in Melbourne

The Wiggles were joined by the team of firefighters who helped rescue the young girl.

During the rescue, the firefighters sung Wiggles songs to keep little Nayvah calm during the near-hour-long rescue.

Red Wiggle Simon Pryce said it was important for the band to come down and give a special performance.

"Nayvah is a very brave little girl," he said.

READ MORE: Foreign Minister meets with Solomon Islands counterpart over China security deal

Nayvah's mother Samantha said the media attention the story gained was slightly overwhelming.

"It's pretty crazy, I didn't think something so little would become something so big," she said.

"She's a Wiggles fanatic, she absolutely loves them.

"Her whole life revolves around the Wiggles."

For Samantha and older brother Leo, there was extra reason to appreciate the moment.

"The kids lost their father in September, in a car accident in Kersbrook," she said.

"So we always wanted to bring her to a concert so it was really good to be able to bring her to one.

"I can't wait until she's like 18 and 21 and I can show her that she got to meet The Wiggles."

headline

Sellers asking for millions of dollars for crumbling Melbourne mansions

Forgotten mansions with eight figure price tags in some of Melbourne's most expensive and desirable streets are up for sale just as the market starts to turn.

But with millions more needing to be spent, are they a good buy?

One East Melbourne mansion sits on the edge of Fitzroy Gardens. The property is almost 150 years old and showing its age.

READ MORE: 'Deadliest thing we've got': Mysterious new type of box jellyfish appears

Inside, there are bare brick walls, missing features and remnants of a business long gone. But despite the condition, the asking price is more than $13 million.

Across town, in Albert Park, it's a similar story.

The property is still on the market for more than $10 million.

CoreLogic head of research Eliza Owen said those prices were not guaranteed.

"It's going to be harder to sell those top-tier properties now than it would have been 12 months ago," she said.

Researchers say the top end of the market is changing fastest.

"That's generally the pattern you see at the start of a downturn, is that price falls tend to be concentrated in more central and expensive suburbs," Owen said.

But there are exceptions.

READ MORE: Man hospitalised after 'targeted' shooting in Melbourne

One property in Toorak is in a similar state but agent Helena Chow is confident with the high price tag.

"We are looking at in the vicinity of 9 million," she said.

"It's likely it will be developers interested in this block of land."

This isn't an option for other forgotten historic homes across Melbourne.

Owen said it was a difficult time to be selling historical homes.

"It's a tough time for those trying to sell, say, a crumbling mansion," she said.

"It's because you've got this trifecta of higher interest costs, a decline in the high end of the market… and of course higher construction costs."