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
- 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
Surf Coast / Bellarine
Cylinders Drive Commercial
20 Cylinders Dr, Torquay VIC 3228
- 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
Ocean Grove Memorial Reserve Pavilion
123-137 The Avenue, Ocean Grove VIC 3226
- 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
Bellarine Anglican Parish (St James’ Hall)
47-55 Collins St, Drysdale VIC 3222
- 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
Ballarat
St Andrew’s Hall
5 Dawson St Nth, Ballarat VIC 3350
- 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
Central Wendouree Bowling Club
1330 Gregory St, Lake Wendouree VIC 3350
- 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
Ballarat South Community Hub
11 Tuppen Dr, Sebastopol VIC 3356
- 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
Bendigo / Castlemaine
Bendigo Baptist Church (Novo Centre)
757 McIvor Hwy, Junortoun VIC 3551
- 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
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.
For the most exhaustive, up to date information about the closest early voting centre to you, head here and enter your postcode.
