Enquire Now

Voting with a Disability: Your Guide to the 2025 Election

A diverse group of Australians with visible and invisible disabilities standing proudly outside a polling place ready to vote with a disability

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

The 2025 Australian Federal Election is coming up on May 3, and it’s a crucial time for all Australians to have their say. For the 5.5 million Australians living with disability, voting isn’t just a right – it’s a powerful way to influence policies that directly affect our lives. The good news? The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has more accessible voting options than ever before. And if you’re a SALT Foundation participant, our disability support workers can help with postal voting or getting to an early voting centre.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

  • Early voting begins today, Tuesday, April 22, 2025—people with disability and their carers are eligible to vote early
  • Postal vote applications close Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 6 p.m.
  • The AEC offers multiple accessible voting options including telephone voting, Auslan interpreters, and mobile voting teams
  • Easy Read guides and Social Stories are available to help understand the voting process
  • SALT Foundation support workers can assist participants with postal voting or attending early voting centres

Why Voting with a Disability Matters

People with disabilities make up over 21.4% of Australia’s population. That’s a significant voting bloc that can influence election outcomes.

The policies decided by our elected representatives directly impact disability services, accessibility standards, and human rights protections. Your vote can help shape the NDIS, income support payments, and housing accessibility requirements.

When people with disabilities vote, politicians pay attention. As the People with Disability Australia (PWDA) campaign states: “Our rights matter. Our inclusion is not optional. Our votes count.”

Key Dates for the 2025 Federal Election

Mark these important dates in your calendar:

  • Tuesday, April 22: Early voting begins
  • Wednesday, April 30 (6 p.m.): Postal vote applications close
  • Saturday, May 3: Election Day

Don’t wait until the last minute! Early planning makes voting much easier, especially if you need accessible options.

Accessible Voting Options for People with Disability

Close-up of 'I Voted' sticker being placed on shirt of person with visible disability, proud expression, Australian electoral materials in background, bright natural lighting, empowering moment

The AEC has worked to make voting more accessible. Here are your options:

Polling Place Accessibility

All polling locations now have accessibility ratings:

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Assisted wheelchair access
  • Not wheelchair accessible

These ratings are published on the “Where to Vote” tool on the AEC website. Some polling places also offer:

  • Virtual Auslan interpreter service via the Convo Australia app
  • Hearing loops
  • Text-to-speech pens
  • Quiet spaces for sensory needs

Early Voting

If you have a disability or are caring for someone with a disability, you can vote early starting today, Tuesday, April 22. This often means shorter lines and more staff available to assist you.

Postal Voting

Can’t make it to a polling place? Postal voting is now open. Applications close at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30.

To vote by post:

  1. Complete a postal vote application (online or paper)
  2. Get a witness to verify you complete your vote by 6 p.m. on election day
  3. Complete your ballot papers with your witness present
  4. Send it back ASAP (must be received within 13 days after election day)

Our SALT Foundation support workers can help you complete this process if needed.

Mobile Voting Teams

The AEC sends mobile voting teams to many residential facilities for people with disability, aged care homes, hospitals, and mental health facilities. This in-person service brings the voting booth to you.

Telephone Voting

Voters who are blind or have low vision can use the AEC’s dedicated telephone voting service. This allows you to cast your vote privately and independently.

Resources for Voters with Intellectual Disability

Voting with an intellectual disability shouldn’t be difficult. These resources can help:

Easy Read Guides

The AEC offers multiple Easy Read guides including:

  • How to vote at a polling place
  • How to vote for the House of Representatives
  • How to vote for the Senate
  • How to vote by mail

Social Stories

Social Stories help understand the voting process step-by-step:

  • Three-part video series about polling place voting
  • Five-part video series about postal voting
  • Downloadable PDF and Word document versions

Practise Voting Tools

The AEC website includes a practise voting tool where you can try filling out sample ballot papers. This is perfect for building confidence before election day.

Inclusion Australia also provides excellent resources focused specifically on voting with intellectual disability.

Support for Voters Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

The AEC has improved services for deaf and hard of hearing voters:

  • Auslan videos with captions covering enrollment, voting services, and ballot completion
  • Virtual Auslan interpreter service at every polling place
  • National Relay Service (NRS) support for contacting the AEC
  • Hearing loops at selected polling places

How The SALT Foundation Can Help

Our disability support workers can provide help with:

  • Completing postal vote applications
  • Understanding voting materials
  • Transport to early voting centres
  • Physical help at polling places (while respecting your voting privacy)
  • Planning your voting day using AEC resources

Just let your support coordinator know if you’d like help with voting, and we’ll work it into your support plan.

Key Disability Issues in the 2025 Election

According to disability advocacy organisations, these are the major issues for voters with disability to consider:

NDIS Investment

Advocacy organizations are calling for sustainable NDIS funding and participant control over supports. Every $1 invested in the NDIS returns $2.25 to the economy.

Foundational Supports

An estimated 4.9 million Australians living with disability don’t qualify for the NDIS but still need services. Consistent nationwide supports outside the NDIS are essential.

Income Support

The Disability Support Pension and JobSeeker are below the poverty line. Did you know 44% of JobSeeker recipients have a partial capacity to work due to a disability or medical conditions?

Accessible Housing

With housing, 80% of participants face housing accessibility challenges. Advocacy groups want the “Livable Housing Design Silver Standard” mandated nationwide.

Government Representation

Many are calling for a dedicated Minister for Disability Inclusion in Federal Cabinet and a Department of Disability Equality and Inclusion.

Researching Candidates’ Positions on Disability

Before voting, research where candidates stand on disability issues:

  1. Use ABC’s Vote Compass tool to compare your views with party positions
  2. Contact candidates directly using template emails from disability organisations
  3. Follow disability advocacy groups on social media for election updates

People with Disability Australia (PWDA) and Every Australian Counts both provide excellent templates for contacting candidates.

Conclusion

Voting with a disability is your right, and there are more accessible options available than ever before. The 2025 Federal Election is your chance to influence policies that directly affect your life.

Remember: 5.5 million Australians have a disability. Together, our votes can create real change for disability rights and inclusion.

If you’re a SALT Foundation participant and need support with voting, we’re here to help.

Action Steps

  1. Decide how you’ll vote—early, postal, or on election day
  2. Research accessibility options that meet your needs
  3. Plan your voting day using AEC resources and templates
  4. Contact your SALT Foundation support coordinator if you need assistance or call on 1300 777 258
  5. Research candidates’ positions on disability issues

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I get help marking my ballot paper?

Yes! You can ask polling staff for help or nominate someone you trust to help you. They must respect your voting privacy.

What if I can’t get out of the car at a polling place?

If you can’t enter the polling place, ballot papers can be brought to your car. The polling official in charge must be satisfied you can’t enter the building.

How can I find accessible polling places near me?

Use the AEC’s “Where to Vote” tool, which shows accessibility ratings for all polling places. You can filter for wheelchair accessibility and other features.

What resources help people with intellectual disability understand voting?

The AEC provides Easy Read guides, Social Stories, and practise voting tools. Inclusion Australia also offers excellent resources specifically for voters with intellectual disability.

Can I become a general postal voter for all future elections?

Yes! People with disabilities and their carers can register as general postal voters to automatically receive ballot papers by mail for all federal elections.