The Australian Government is now in a caretaker period in advance of the forthcoming election. Until a new government is sworn in, government operations are conducted in accordance with the caretaker conventions.
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The Australian Government is now in a caretaker period in advance of the forthcoming election. Until a new government is sworn in, government operations are conducted in accordance with the caretaker conventions
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Voting in the 3 May 2025 Federal Election
The Australian Federal Election has been announced for Saturday 3 May 2025. If you’re an Australian citizen overseas on the day of the election, you can still have your say by voting at an overseas voting centre or by postal vote.
In-Person Voting
The list of overseas voting centres for the election are available on the AEC website.
Postal Voting
If you are overseas and are unable to vote in-person, you can visit the AEC website to apply for a postal vote.
Postal vote packs will be sent to you by international courier from Australia commencing three weeks before polling day. The latest date to request an overseas postal vote from the AEC is 6pm, Wednesday 30 April 2025. Please note this may be too late for your postal vote to reach you and you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. If you provided an email address or phone number when applying for a postal vote, you will receive an automatic notification when it is dispatched.
If you did not provide an email address or phone number and your postal vote does not arrive within 10 days from the date you submitted your application, call the AEC on +61 2 6160 2600.
You can mail your completed postal vote to the closest overseas voting centre – the list is available on the AEC website. Please note the Australian Embassy in Moscow is unable to accept postal votes.
You can also return your postal vote directly to the AEC in Australia. The cost to return your postal vote by courier or mail to the overseas voting centres or to the AEC in Australia is your responsibility.
For your postal vote to be counted it must be completed before 6pm AWST time 3 May 2025, and received by the AEC in Australia by 6pm Friday 16 May 2025 AEST.
Further information
You must be enrolled to vote. You can enrol, update your details or check your details on the AEC website.
If you can't vote because you are overseas, you need to advise the AEC by completing an Overseas Notification Form.
Find additional information on the election and voting at these websites:
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Foreign Minister Penny Wong's speech to UN Security Council meeting on maintenance of international peace and security
26 September 2024
Thank you, President, for convening this meeting of the Security Council.
Last month we marked the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions. The world agreed to international humanitarian law to limit suffering in conflict. War has rules. Even when confronting terrorists. Even when defending borders. Civilians need to be protected.
But in conflicts around the world, this is not happening.
Nearly a year ago, Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis – the worst loss of Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust – and Hamas terrorists continue to hold hostages. In Israel’s response, over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed. More than 11,000 children. And more than 300 aid workers since this war began. Gaza is the deadliest place on earth to be an aid worker.
We cannot protect civilians without protecting the aid workers who are delivering food, water and medicine they need to survive. This week, Australia has convened ministers and humanitarian leaders to pursue a new Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel.
President,
The world demands a ceasefire in Gaza. Hostages must be released. Aid must flow. And this humanitarian catastrophe must end. Yet the only hope to finally break the endless cycle of violence for a secure, prosperous future for Palestinians and Israelis is a Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel.
The international community – including the Security Council - must work together to pave a path to lasting peace. We cannot wait for the parties to do this themselves; we cannot allow any party to obstruct the prospect of peace.
President,
Hezbollah are terrorists that have not complied with Security Council Resolution 1701. But Lebanese civilians should not pay the price. De-escalation is urgent, dialogue is needed, and parties must implement this Resolution in full. Lebanon cannot become the next Gaza. Just as in Gaza, Australia calls for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon.
President,
Civilian suffering is widespread. In Sudan, tens of thousands are dead. More than 700,000 children face severe or acute malnutrition.
In Ukraine, civilians continue to suffer because of Russia’s senseless invasion. President Putin’s use of the veto to protect his own illegal actions is the act of a coward.
Australia was a founding member of the UN. We opposed the veto from the start. We must reform the Council to meet the challenges of today. We must ensure greater permanent and non-permanent representation for Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Asia-Pacific.
In all we do, Australia works to prevent conflict. Our candidacy for a non-permanent seat for 2029-2030 reflects our commitment to contribute to international peace and security.
Because peace is not a gift, and it is never a given. It is a duty we all share.
Joint Statement of Foreign Diplomatic Missions in the Russian Federation marking Pride Month
We, the undersigned Embassies of Australia, Canada, Chile, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States to the Russian Federation, celebrate Pride Month by upholding the human rights of each individual as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Those rights apply to members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) community as they do to every other individual.
Throughout the year, but particularly during Pride Month, we celebrate the bravery and successes of LGBTQI+ activists and their allies around the world, who continue in the face of adversity, to advocate for the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals. Everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics, has the right to receive full protection of the law. We stand by the principle that human rights are universal, including the right to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.
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Consular Support and Travel Advice
Do not travel to Russia and Belarus due to the security environment and military conflict with Ukraine. If you’re in Russia or Belarus, leave immediately using the limited commercial options available or private means, if it’s safe to do so. Flight availability could change or be disrupted at short notice. The security situation could deteriorate further with little warning. Remain vigilant and avoid any protests or demonstrations. Our ability to provide consular assistance may be limited. For more information, read the travel advice for Russia and Belarus.
More information is available on our Consular Assistance page.
Invasion of Ukraine by Russia
Australia joins our partners in condemning Russia's unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine.
The invasion is a breach of international law, including the UN Charter, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Australia stands in staunch support of Ukrainians together with the international community, including by imposing coordinated sanctions and measures to inflict a cost to those who bear responsibility, and providing humanitarian assistance to support those in greatest need.
Media releases and statements as well as information on sanctions and Australia’s humanitarian assistance can be found here.
Consular and Passport Updates
URGENT CONSULAR ASSISTANCE
If you require urgent consular assistance during business hours (9am - 5pm Monday to Friday), please contact us on +7 495 956 6070. Contact details of our Honorary Consulates in St Petersburg and Almaty are also available here. Outside business hours, please contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 62613305. Please subscribe for updates and monitor our official travel advice on Smartraveller website.
APPLYING FOR A PASSPORT
The Australian Embassy in Moscow can assist Australian citizens with applying for their first Australian passport, renew an expired passport or replace a passport that was lost or stolen.
There are several lodgment options available to eligible applicants located in Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan or Uzbekistan:
- Digital upload function on the Australian Passport Office website
- Mail-in - for passport renewals only
- In person - by appointment only
Applicants should allow a minimum of six weeks to receive a new passport once payment has been taken.
More information on ldogement options is available on our Passport Services page.
NOTARIAL SERVICES
Explore this page for information about notarial services available through the Australian Embassy in Moscow.
To request a notarial service, please email us at [email protected] attaching the scans/photos of the relevant forms and documents for us review.
Please note that Australian Honorary Consuls delivering consular assistance in St Petersburg and Almaty (Kazakhstan) are NOT permitted to provide notarial services.
Did you know that…
… Australia is the fourth largest economy in the Asian region and is the 12th largest economy in the world?
… Australian Indigenous art is the oldest ongoing tradition of art in the world?
… English is Australia’s national language but 300+ languages are spoken in Aussie homes?
Click here to learn more about Australian culture, politics, cuisine, economy and life!
