Australians will head to the polls on May 3, 2025, for their first federal election since 2022. The election will determine the next prime minister and the composition of the Australian parliament, with the cost of living and housing affordability among the key issues.

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• Australians will vote in the 2025 federal election on May 3 to choose the next prime minister and parliament composition.
• Voting is mandatory for all citizens aged 18 and over, and about 18 million people are eligible to vote.
• Australia uses a preferential voting system, with voters ranking candidates in order of preference.
• The leader of the party winning the most seats in the House of Representatives becomes prime minister.
• The Australian Labor Party (ALP) currently holds 78 seats in the House, while the Liberal-National coalition has 57 seats.
• If the ALP loses two seats in the election, it will lose its majority in the House.
• Key election issues include the cost of living, housing affordability, and inflation, with many voters feeling the pressure on essentials.
• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of the ALP faces a challenge from Peter Dutton, leader of the Liberal-National coalition.
• Dutton’s party needs to win at least 19 seats to form a majority government, including many seats lost to independents in 2022.
• The Australian Election Commission will provide an indicative count on election night, but final results may take several days.