Australian Embassy
The Philippines

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.

 

WELCOME TO THE AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY IN THE PHILIPPINES WEBSITE

Australian Federal Election 2025 

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 an overseas voting centre or by postal vote.

In-Person Voting

You will be able to vote in-person at the Australian Embassy in the Philippines according to this schedule below:

Day

Opening Hours

Monday 21 April

10am to 3pm

Tuesday 22 April

10am to 3pm

Wednesday 23 April

10am to 3pm

Thursday 24 April

10am to 3pm

Friday 25 April

10am to 3pm

Monday 28 April

10am to 3pm

Tuesday 29 April

10am to 3pm

Wednesday 30 April

10am to 3pm

Thursday 1 May

CLOSED (public holiday)

Friday 2 May

10am to 3pm

Please note that all times are local to the Philippines.

What to expect at the Australian Embassy in the Philippines 

You are not required to make an appointment to vote.

You must provide evidence of identity, e.g your Australian passport or Australian driver’s licence, to enter the Embassy. Only those who are voting will be granted entry to the Embassy. You do not need to provide evidence of identity to cast a vote.

Entry to the embassy will be subject to standard security screening processes.

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. Please note this may be too late for your postal vote to reach you and you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. 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 the Australian Embassy in the Philippines or drop it off in person no later than 3pm Friday, 2 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 the Australian Embassy in the Philippines or to the AEC in Australia is your responsibility.

If you would like to return your postal vote to the Australian Embassy in the Philippines, please send it to:

Attn: Returning Officer – Federal Election

Australian Embassy in the Philippines  

RCBC Plaza, Tower 2, Level 23

6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City 1200

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.

aec.gov.au

Smartraveller.gov.au

 

LATEST NEWS

For after-hours emergencies please call +63 2 7757 8100 and follow the prompts to transfer (toll free) to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade after hours Consular Emergency Centre in Canberra or call direct on +61 2 6261 3305.

Smartraveller has the latest, authoritative travel advice so you can be informed and prepared about overseas travel. Subscribe to receive travel advice updates - by simply supplying your name and email address – straight to your inbox. You can now also subscribe to the new SMS service - by supplying your mobile number – to receive critical alerts in the event of a crisis overseas. In a crisis, Smartraveller will activate a crisis page on its website. It will make it easier for you or someone you know to contact the Australian Government if you need help. It will supplement the consular emergency hotline. Visit www.smartraveller.gov.au to subscribe or connect with Smartraveller on Facebook and Twitter.

Visas, Immigration and Citizenship

 Visit the Visas and Citizenship page for more information.

Biometrics

New location in the Philippines for biometrics collection for Australian visas – Davao City!

From Monday 29 April 2024, VFS Global, the Australian Department of Home Affairs service delivery partner for Asia, including the Philippines, will commence providing biometric collection and other services at Davao. The addition of biometric collection services in this location makes providing biometrics for Australian visa applicants easier and more convenient. To make an appointment for biometric collection after 29 April 2024 at the biometrics collection centre in Davao, please visit Offices outside Australia (homeaffairs.gov.au). From Monday 22 April 2024, VFS Global will be accepting bookings for biometric collection appointments occurring on or after 29 April 2024. The VFS Global operated Australian Biometric Collection Centre in Davao is located at:

Unit No. FES08, 2nd Floor, Alfresco Area Felcris Centrale, Barangay 40-D Quimpo Boulevard, Davao City, 8000 Philippines
In addition to biometrics collection, all VFS Global locations provide digital assistance to help visa applicants lodge their Australian visa application, and online payment assistance to assist visa applicants pay relevant visa application charges.

 

Further information, including relevant service fees, may be found at the VFS Global website – Welcome to VFS Global | For Individuals | Home

 

As you are lodging a visa application from within the Philippines, you will be required to provide personal identifiers, by way of biometrics. When you lodge your application online, you will be sent a request to provide personal identifiers (biometrics) via email. You should make an appointment to attend an Australian Biometrics Collection Centre (ABCC) in person to provide your biometrics. Ensure you make your appointment as soon as possible to avoid processing delays. Please visit  Welcome to VFS Global| vfsglobal to make an appointment. 

 

 

 

 

 

Study in Australia
Business Envoy. Insights into the Australian Government\'s trade and investment agenda