Our guide to early voting locations for the 2025 Australian federal election
Geelong, Surf Coast, Ballarat, Bendigo and more - early voting locations around Australia open on April 22 for the 2025 federal election.
Early voting locations will swing open their doors across the country from Tuesday 22 April, running right up to Friday 2 May. But heads up – these voting centres will be shuttered on Easter Monday (21 April) and Anzac Day (25 April), so plan accordingly.
With the 2025 Australian federal election dropping on Saturday 3 May, savvy voters are already plotting their early ballot strategy. Not all early voting centres run the full two-week marathon, so check their dates and opening hours below before making the trek.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
You can rock up to any early voting centre in your state or territory from April 22 onwards if you meet the early voting eligibility criteria. That includes being away from your electorate on polling day, working through voting hours, dealing with illness or disability, or having legitimate safety concerns.
But, let’s be honest, most people will just vote early because they want to avoid the lines. What’s important to note is that different early voting centres have different opening hours and dates, hence the point of this article.
The key dates in the 2025 Australian federal election
Issue of writs: Monday 31 March
Close of rolls: 8pm, Monday 7 April
Close of nominations: Midday, Thursday 10 April
Declaration of nominations: Midday, Friday 11 April
Start of early voting: Tuesday 22 April
Close of postal vote applications: 6pm, Wednesday 30 April
Election day: Saturday 3 May
Early Voting Locations for Regional Victoria
Geelong
Ryrie Street Commercial 40-48 Ryrie St, Geelong VIC 3220
Tue 22 Apr – Thu 24 Apr: 8:30 am–5:30 pm
Sat 26 Apr: 9 am–4 pm
Mon 28 Apr – Thu 1 May: 8:30 am–5:30 pm
Fri 2 May: 8:30 am–6 pm
Corio Spanish Club 40 The Boulevard, Norlane VIC 3214
Tue 22 Apr – Thu 24 Apr: 8:30 am–5:30 pm
Sat 26 Apr: 9 am–4 pm
Mon 28 Apr – Thu 1 May: 8:30 am–5:30 pm
Fri 2 May: 8:30 am–6 pm
Sat 3 May: 8 am–6 pm
Lara Community Centre 9-11 Waverley Rd, Lara VIC 3212
Castlemaine Catholic Church Hall (St Mary’s) 70 Hargraves St, Castlemaine VIC 3450
Tue 22 Apr – Thu 24 Apr: 8:30 am–5:30 pm
Sat 26 Apr: 9 am–4 pm
Mon 28 Apr – Thu 1 May: 8:30 am–5:30 pm
Fri 2 May: 8:30 am–6 pm
Shop 3 114 Williamson St McLaren St, Bendigo VIC 3550
Tue 22 Apr – Thu 24 Apr: 8:30 am–5:30 pm
Sat 26 Apr: 9 am–4 pm
Mon 28 Apr – Thu 1 May: 8:30 am–5:30 pm
Fri 2 May: 8:30 am–6 pm
Sat 3 May: 8 am–6 pm
Eaglehawk Primary School Hall Cnr High St & Brazier St, Eaglehawk VIC 3556
Tue 22 Apr – Thu 24 Apr: 8:30 am–5:30 pm
Sat 26 Apr: 9 am–4 pm
Mon 28 Apr – Thu 1 May: 8:30 am–5:30 pm
Fri 2 May: 8:30 am–6 pm
For interstate wanderers looking for early voting locations, dedicated interstate voting centres will save you from that “I forgot to vote” panic. Simply use the AEC’s online tool to find your closest option. The AEC continues updating polling locations right up to voting day, so checking before you trek to your local school, church or community hall is essential. Remember – you can vote at any polling place in your state on election day proper.
Get in early, skip the queues, and make your democratic mark with minimal fuss (and just have a democracy sausage any day, from Bunnings like a normal person). Your future self will thank you.
