Voting in the 2023 Referendum
On 14 October 2023, Australians will be asked to vote in a referendum to alter the Constitution.
The Australian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Australian Consulate-General in Dubai will be an in-person voting centre and postal vote collection centre.
All eligible Australians living in or visiting the United Arab Emirates will be able to vote.
To be eligible to vote, you must be enrolled. Please ensure that your enrolment details are up to date at the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) website.
In-person voting will be held in the Australian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Australian Consulate-General in Dubai from Monday 2 October until Friday 13 October 2023, excluding Saturday and Sunday.
Voting hours are 9.00am – 4.00pm from Monday to Thursday, and 9.00am – 12.00pm on Friday.
If you are unable to vote in-person for the referendum, the Australian Electoral Commission can send you a postal vote.
No appointments are necessary for in-person voting or dropping off your postal vote.
Voting in a referendum is not compulsory for Australians overseas. If you are unable to vote you should complete and submit an overseas notification form.
Please note normal security screening will still apply to enter the Australian Embassy.
Passports
Eligible Australians can now mail in or drop off their completed passport renewal applications to the Australian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Australian Consulate in Dubai.
Like many countries, Australia is experiencing an unprecedented demand for passports. We recommend that you allow a minimum of six weeks to get a new passport. Where possible, don’t book flights without a valid passport.
The Australian Passport Office are working to prioritise applications for customers who are travelling in the next 3 days.