Why do you need to vote? Is it important?

Thanks for your question Lessio. Australia is a representative democracy. This means Australians elect members of parliament to represent us in the Australian Parliament and to make laws and decisions on our behalf. Australian citizens aged 18 years of age or older, have a right and a responsibility to enrol and vote in federal elections. Voting has been compulsory in Australia since 1924 when the Parliament passed the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1924.

Three people are standing, filling in their ballot papers in voting booths.

People voting

Australian Electoral Commission

People voting

Three people are standing, filling in their ballot papers in voting booths.

Australian Electoral Commission

Description

Three people are in a polling place completing their ballot papers in cardboard voting booths. Each voter is separated in their own booth to ensure their vote is secret.

Permission should be sought from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact the AEC email: media@aec.gov.au or phone: 13 23 26.