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.
Voting in the 2024/25 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 on overseas voting centre or by postal vote.
In-Person Voting
You will be able to vote in-person at the Australian Embassy in Beijing according to this schedule below:
|
Day |
Opening Hours |
|
Monday 21 April |
Closed – Easter Monday holiday |
|
Tuesday 22 April |
8:30am to 5pm |
|
Wednesday 23 April |
8:30am to 5pm |
|
Thursday 24 April |
8:30am to 5pm |
|
Friday 25 April |
8:30am to 5pm |
|
Saturday 26 April |
Closed |
|
Sunday 27 April |
Closed |
|
Monday 28 April |
8:30am to 5pm |
|
Tuesday 29 April |
8:30am to 5pm |
|
Wednesday 30 April |
8:30am to 5pm |
|
Thursday 1 May |
Closed – Labour Day holiday |
|
Friday 2 May |
8:30am to 5pm |
|
Saturday 3 May – Election Day |
8:30am to 2:30pm |
Please note that all times are local to this polling place.
What to expect at Australian Embassy in Beijing.
- You do not need an appointment to vote.
- You must present ID for entry to the Embassy. You are not required to present ID to vote.
- Mobile phones are not permitted. We will provide lockable storage.
- No cameras or recording equipment permitted.
- Large bags are not permitted and must be left at the security office.
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 AWST (Australian Western Standard Time). 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 Australian Embassy in Beijing or drop it off in person no later than 2:30pm Saturday, 3 May 2025.
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 Australian Embassy in Beijing 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:
Smartraveller.gov.au.
Australian Consulate-General in Shenyang
Australia’s Consulate-General in Shenyang has closed to the public. The Australian Embassy in Beijing will provide continued consular and notarial services and support for Australian businesses.
Travel Advice
We advise: Exercise a high degree of caution in China overall.
Click here for Travel Advice.
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Click here to register for the Smartraveller subscription service and receive latest updates to out travel advice .
For Australians requiring urgent consular assistance after hours, please telephone the Embassy main switch number on (010) 5140 4111 and press “1” and you will be transferred to the Consular Emergency Centre.
Alternatively, you can telephone the Consular Emergency Centre directly on 61 2 6261 3305
News and Speeches
International Women’s Day breakfast, Adelaide
(07 March 2025) Speech by Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
Thailand's deportation of Uyghurs to China
(28 February 2025) Statement by Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
Three years on, Australia stands with Ukraine
(24 February 2025) Joint media release from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Deputy Prime Minister, Defence Minister Richard Marles, Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
National Foundation for Australia-China Relations grants and board appointments
(20 February 2025) Media release from Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
2025 Australia-China Defence Strategic Dialogue
(17 February 2025) Media release from Department of Defence.
Statement on People’s Liberation Army–Navy vessels operating to the north of Australia
(13 February 2025) Media release from Department of Defence.
Apology to the Stolen Generations Anniversary Breakfast
(13 February 2025) Speech from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
UN Women International Women's Day Parliamentary Breakfast
(05 February 2025）Speech by Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
(5 February 2025) Media release from Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
Statement - Australia Day 2025
(26 January 2025) Media statement by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Joint Statement by the Quad Foreign Ministers
(22 January 2025) Joint Statement by Secretary of State of the United States, the Foreign Minister of Australia, the External Affairs Minister of India, and the Foreign Minister of Japan.
SA welcomes new pandas Xing Qiu and Yi Lan to their new home at Adelaide Zoo’s Bamboo Forest
(15 December 2024) Joint media release from Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell, South Australian Deputy Premier and Minister for Climate, Environment and Water Susan Close and South Australian Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison.
Remarks to the International Institute for Strategic Studies Asia
(3 December 2024) Speech from Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
Final Chinese trade impediments on red meat establishments lifted
(3 December 2024) Joint media release from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins.
(28 November 2024) Joint media release from Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth.
(19 November 2024) Media release from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Opening remarks from meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping
(18 November 2024) Opening remarks from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Statement from the Prime Minister
(6 November 2024) Media statement from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Board appointments to foundations for relations with China and Japan
(2 November 2024) Media release from Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
(3 November 2024) Media release from Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell.
2024 Australia-China Defence Coordination Dialogue
(17 October 2024) Media release from Department of Defence.
Senate President to lead first parliamentary delegation to China in five years
(10 October 2024) Media release from President of the Senate Sue Lines.
Resumption of live rock lobster trade with China
(10 October 2024) Joint media release from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry Julie Collins.
(7 October 2024) Media statement from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Opinion piece: Opportunity comes from engagement, not estrangement
(27 September 2024) Opinion piece from Treasurer of Australia Jim Chalmers.
(27 September 2024) Media release from the Treasury of Australia.
Meeting with Chinese counterparts in Beijing
(26 September 2024) Media release from Treasurer of Australia Jim Chalmers.
Opening remarks to meeting with Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi
(24 September 2024) Opening remarks from Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
8th Australia-China Ministerial Dialogue on Climate Change
(30 August 2024) Joint media release from Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek.
Opening remarks at the eighth Australia-China High Level Dialogue
(16 August 2024) Speech from Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
Eighth Australia-China High Level Dialogue
(15 August 2024) Media release from Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
(6 August 2024) Media release from National Foundation for Australia - China Relations.
Climate cooperation the next step in stabilising relations
(21 July 2024) Media release from Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen.
Monash Suzhou Graduation Address
(22 June 2024) Speech from Australian Ambassador Scott Dewar.
Marking the 8th Anniversary of the South China Sea Arbitral Award
(12 July 2024) Media release from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
50 Years of protecting Australia from dangerous nuclear proliferation
(10 July 2024) Media release from Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
Fee increase for international students part of July 1 migration reforms
(1 July 2024) Joint media release from Minister for Education Jason Clare, Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Cyber Security Clare O’Neil and Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Andrew Giles.
The Governor-General's Swearing-in speech, Parliament House, Canberra
(1 July 2024) Speech transcript from Governor-General Sam Mostyn.
New Governor-General Sam Mostyn sworn in
(1 July 2024) Media release from Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Embassy Opening Hours
The Embassy will be open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday except for public holidays.
Australians requiring advice or assistance from the consular section may call during business hours from 8:30 to 5:00 Monday to Friday.
Please note: Passport Applications: Monday-Friday 9:00 – 12:00 and Notarial Services: Monday-Friday 14:00 – 15:30 by making appointment.
