It is compulsory for Australian citizens 18 years of age or older to enrol and vote at federal, state and local government elections and referendums. You may be fined if you do not enrol and vote.

Why enrol?

It is important to enrol to vote as it allows you to have a say in:

• who will represent you at federal, state and local government levels
• how you and your community are governed.

You cannot vote if you have not enrolled.

About the electoral roll

The NSW electoral roll is a list of electors' names and addresses that is used to determine who can vote at elections and is maintained by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). Your name must be on the electoral roll for you to be able to vote.

Who can enrol?

You may enrol if you:

• are an Australian citizen, or a British citizen who was enrolled to vote in Australia on 25 January 1984; and
• are 17 years of age or older, but you cannot vote until you are 18; and
• have lived at your address for at least one month.

Who cannot enrol?

You cannot enrol if you:

• are under 17 years of age
• are not an Australian citizen
• are of unsound mind (incapable of understanding the nature and significance of voting)
• have been convicted of treason or treachery and have not been pardoned
• are a permanent resident but not an Australian citizen.