In Australia, voting in federal elections is compulsory, and failing to vote will result in a $20 penalty from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) . If you do not pay the penalty, the matter may be taken to court, and without a valid excuse, you could be hit with a $222 fine plus court fees. However, if you provide a valid and sufficient reason for not voting, or pay the $20 administrative penalty within the prescribed time, the matter will be finalised, and you will receive no further correspondence from the AEC regarding your apparent failure to vote.

It is important to note that the penalties for not voting may vary depending on the state or territory in which you are enrolled to vote. For example, in Queensland, the fine applicable for not voting in a state or local election is $143, but if you pay the fine prior to the due date indicated, it will reduce the penalty to $71.50. In Victoria, the fine for not voting is $92, and if you dont pay your fine by the due date or contact the Victorian Electoral Commission to deal with it, you will receive a Penalty reminder notice, which means you will have to pay the original fine plus a fee.

In summary, the fine for not voting in the Australian federal election is $20, and ignoring the fine could result in a court date and a $222 fine plus court fees. However, if you provide a valid and sufficient reason for not voting, or pay the $20 administrative penalty within the prescribed time, the matter will be finalised, and you will receive no further correspondence from the AEC regarding your apparent failure to vote.