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Voting in the 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 on overseas voting centre or by postal vote.

In-Person Voting

You will be able to vote in-person at the Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur according to this schedule below:

Day	Opening Hours
Wednesday 23 April – Friday 25 April	0900 to 1530
Monday 28 April – Wednesday 30 April	0900 to 1530
Thursday 1 May	Closed
Friday 2 May	0900 to 1530
Saturday 3 May	Closed

Please note that all times are local to this polling place.

In order to be granted access to the High Commission to vote in person, you will need to bring your current Australian passport as identification.  There will be no exceptions to this policy.

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 Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur or drop it off in person no later than 2 May 2025. This will be our last opening day.

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 Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur 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 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:

aec.gov.au

smartraveller.gov.au

Ongoing Protests

Since the recent outbreak of conflict in Israel and Gaza, there have been ongoing protests throughout Kuala Lumpur. Protest activity is usually the largest on Fridays and weekends.

Protests tend to happen near central landmarks and busy tourist areas, including around Kuala Lumpur City Centre, the National Mosque, the US Embassy and Merdeka Square.

As set out on Smartraveller:

You could encounter protests or demonstrations on the streets or at certain venues.

Protest activity could lead to violence and disrupt public services, including public transport, and cause traffic congestion. However, this is rare.

Police permission is needed for public gatherings and demonstrations. If you take part in a protest or demonstration, authorities could arrest and deport you.

Avoid protests and demonstrations.

During periods of unrest:

• check the news and other sources for information on planned and possible unrest or strikes
• follow the advice of local authorities
• plan your activities to avoid unrest on national or commemorative days
• be ready to change your travel plans

If civil unrest disrupts your transport plans, contact your airline, travel agent or insurer for help.

Consular services

The Australian High Commission continues to provide consular assistance for Australians in Malaysia. The Consular Services Charter outlines the consular assistance that may be provided to Australians overseas, and also responsibilities that lie outside the Australian Government’s consular role.

If you require consular assistance while in Malaysia, you can contact the Australian High Commission Consular Office in Kuala Lumpur between 8.30am - 4:30pm (weekdays) at +60 3 2146 5575. Alternatively, you can email us at: [email protected]

If you require consular assistance outside of business hours, or on a weekend, you can call the Consular Emergency Centre in Australia, which is operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on +61 2 6261 3305, or via our High Commission switchboard, +60 3 2146 5555.

Travel advice specific to Malaysia can be found at https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/malaysia.

Australian visa scams

The Department of Home Affairs warns people to be very cautious regarding claims that Australian visas are allegedly for sale.  These claims are not true.  Australian visas are not for sale. Visas can only be obtained through official channels.  Read more... 

Smartraveller

Smartraveller has the latest, authoritative travel advice so you can be informed and prepared about overseas travel. Subscribe to receive travel advice updates - by simply supplying your name and email address – straight to your inbox.

You can now also subscribe to the new SMS service - by supplying your mobile number – to receive critical alerts in the event of a crisis overseas.

In a crisis, Smartraveller will activate a crisis page on its website. It will make it easier for you or someone you know to contact the Australian Government if you need help. It will supplement the consular emergency hotline.

Visit www.smartraveller.gov.au to subscribe or connect with Smartraveller on Facebook and Twitter.

Study in Australia

For further information on studying and living in Australia, please visit the Australian Government website, www.studyaustralia.gov.au. This website provides information on Australian institutions, courses, scholarships, application process, visa requirements and more. If you’re unsure as to what career or course would be best fit for you, try the Career Matcher tool. Alternatively, use the comprehensive search tool on the StudyAustralia website and submit your enquiry about a course.