The Commission provides a range of services and uses specialised equipment to assist electors with different needs to vote.
Technology Assisted Voting
The Electoral Act allows eligible electors to vote by means of an electronic device such as telephone or computer. An eligible elector includes anyone who is unable to vote without assistance because of insufficient literacy skills, is sight impaired or is living with an incapacity.
At the 2025 State general election the following two technology assisted voting options will be available:
1. Telephone Assisted Voting
Call 13 68 00 (or +61 8 9214 7290 for overseas callers)
Telephone Assisted Voting (TAV) allows eligible electors to vote over the telephone, by applying and having their enrolment checked via a call centre, then voting via separate vote cast call centre. Commission staff at the vote cast call centre verbally read the voting instructions and ballot paper information to the elector, who then instructs the operator how they want their ballot papers marked, whilst ensuring elector anonymity.
2. Vote Assist
Vote Assist allows electors who visit the venues listed below to listen to pre-recorded voting instructions and ballot paper information, select their preferences using a special keypad, and have their completed ballot papers self-printed prior to ballot box lodgement. Vote Assist is available throughout the early voting period.
Other Voting Options
Postal Voting
Any elector may apply for a postal vote once the election period commences. The easiest way is to apply online during election times, however you can also request to have a postal vote application form sent to you in the mail. Some elderly or incapacitated electors opt to become a General Early Voter, in which case postal votes are automatically sent to them at the State election.
Mobile Polling
Mobile polling teams may be able to visit hospitals, special institutions and aged care facilities, in order to provide an in person voting service to permanent residents.
Early Voting Centres
If attending a polling place on polling day is not convenient, from early 2025 electors may visit one of the many early voting centres across the State.
Voting Centres
For electors with mobility issues, a Polling Place Manager can take ballot papers to a vehicle parked at the polling place for an elector to cast their vote from their vehicle.
Polling places with the best wheelchair access are marked with a wheelchair symbol at polling places lists. An Accessibility Parking Bay is established in the best possible location relative to the polling place entrance.
All polling places have a desktop voting screen available where an elector can cast their vote whilst seated, whether in a wheelchair or standard chair. All polling places are provided with magnifying sheets, better hearing cards and triangular pencils.
It is the right of every elector to cast their vote in an environment which provides for a secret and independent ballot. However, you may seek assistance at any time. If you do not understand the process, are unable to, or have difficulty writing on your ballot paper or need any other support, you may ask a polling official, carer, friend or relative to assist you.
Accessibility Voting Centres
In addition to the assistive devices available at all polling centres, Accessibility Voting Venues also have:
• Audio Loop or Hearing Amplifier
Hearing and listening aids can be ineffective in environments with a lot of talking or background noise, such as a polling place. Audio loops are used to overcome this issue by enhancing the sound of a person’s voice, such as a polling official. Electors with a hearing or listening aid can switch to ‘T’ to use the system.
• Reader Pen
Electors who experience literacy difficulties or for whom reading the English language is a challenge, can use a reader pen to assist them to read and mark their ballot papers. The reader pen will verbalise any text that the pen is moved over.
• Electric Magnifier Screen
This device can be used to increase the size of ballot paper information to make voting easier for electors requiring eyesight assistance.
Information for Carers
The Commission is committed to ensuring that carers are provided with every opportunity to vote at election time, and that they are provided with information to ensure those that they are caring for can participate in the electoral process if they are able to do so.
Information, Fact Sheets and Documents
Technology Assisted Voting Audit (2022)
Technology Assisted Voting Audit (2021)
2021 SGE Information for Carers Fact Sheet
2021 SGE Enhancing Accessibility Fact Sheet
2021 SGE Voting Options Fact Sheet
2021 SGE Vote Assist Fact Sheet