Didn't vote?

Didn't vote at an election?

In Victoria, if you are enrolled to vote, you must vote in all Federal, State and council elections. If you do not vote, you may get a fine.
Transcript

Didn’t vote? Voting is compulsory in Australia. This means that if you are enrolled to vote, then you must vote in all Federal, State and local council elections.

The Australian Electoral Commission runs Federal elections and the Victorian Electoral Commission  runs state and local council elections. 

What happens if you don’t vote in a State or local council election? First, you will get an 'Apparent failure to vote notice' from the Victorian Electoral Commission. This is your opportunity to explain why you didn’t vote. It is not a fine, but it’s important to reply to it. You will have 28 days to respond to this notice. 

If you ignore it, or if your excuse for failing to vote is not accepted, you will get an Infringement Notice. This includes a fine. You will have 28 days to pay the fine or take other action, such as requesting a review. You can also apply for a payment plan if you are experiencing financial hardship.

If you ignore the Infringement Notice, you will receive a Penalty Reminder Notice. This includes an additional fee. You can still request a review at this stage, but only if you haven’t already requested one. You’re entitled to one review per election offence.

There is a list of reasons for which you can request a review. If you ignore all the notices, the matter will be referred to Fines Victoria. 

After this point, the VEC cannot consider requests for payment plans, payment extensions or internal reviews.

To find out more about what to do if you receive a notice or non-voting fine, call 1300 551 575 or visit vec.vic.gov.au

The process

Step 1: Apparent failure to vote notice

We will send you a letter titled 'Apparent failure to vote notice' if it looks like you did not vote in an election.

The letter is your chance to explain why it looks like you didn't vote. If you didn't vote, you can write down a reason. If you did vote, you can tell us where you voted so we can check our records.

Don't ignore it, or you may get a fine later.

Step 2: Infringement notice (a fine)

You will receive an 'Infringement notice' (a fine) if:

  • you don't respond to the 'Apparent failure to vote notice'
    or
  • you responded, but the explanation you gave was not accepted
    or
  • you responded, but we didn't receive your response in time.

The fine for not voting is $99.

At this stage, you can request a review, request a payment plan, or go to court. Find details on these options.

Step 3: Penalty reminder notice

If you don't pay your fine by the due date or contact us to deal with it, you will receive a 'Penalty reminder notice'.

This means you will have to pay the original fine plus a fee.

At this stage, you can request a review, request a payment plan, or go to court. Find details on these options.

What are my options?

If you receive an 'Infringement notice' or a 'Penalty reminder notice', your options are to:

  • Pay your fine

    The notice will contain all the payment options.

    You can pay:

    • using BPAY phone or internet banking
      Biller code: 120279
      Reference number as shown on your infringement notice
    • posting a bank cheque or money order to the VEC using the reply-paid number shown on your notice
      (include your name, address, phone number and infringement number)
  • Request a payment plan or extension

    If you are having difficulty paying your fine in full and on time, you can apply for a payment plan or payment extension.

    We will assess applications on a case-by-case basis. Your application may be assessed based on your:

    • outstanding fine amount
    • income
    • financial status
    • payment history
    • any hardship that you are experiencing.

    You must make a request in writing and include:

    • infringement number
    • name, address and contact number
    • reason for request.

    To apply, download an Application for a payment plan form (PDF, 1.2MB)

    Complete it and return it by email or post it to the VEC using the reply-paid number shown on your notice.

    Call 1300 551 575 if you need more information.

  • Request an internal review

    You can request an internal review if you believe:

    • the decision was contrary to law
    • there has been a mistake of identity
    • you were unaware of the notice and it was not personally given to you*
    • you had special or exceptional circumstances.

    * If you are applying for a review on the grounds that you were unaware, you must do so within 14 days of becoming aware of the notice.

    For more information see Internal reviews and special circumstances

    To make a request for a review, download the Application for internal review form (PDF, 738kB)

    Complete it and return it by email or post it to the VEC using the reply-paid number on your notice.

    Call 1300 551 575 if you need more information.
  • Elect to go to court

    You have the right to take your matter to the Magistrates’ Court for it to be determined at a formal hearing. If you elect to go to court, a magistrate will decide the case and any appropriate penalty.

    For more information see Going to court

    • If you do not pay or take action to deal with a 'Penalty reminder notice', we will refer your matter to Fines Victoria for further enforcement action.

    When a matter is with Fines Victoria, we cannot consider requests for payment plans, payment extensions or internal reviews.

    Pay your fine with Fines Victoria.

    More information

    If you are unsure about what to do, or you need more information call 1300 551 575.

    Want this information in your language? Contact us through an interpreter.

    Easy English