Australia votes on May 3: Albanese vs Dutton – Key issues, stakes, and how the election works

Australia heads to the polls this Saturday to elect a new government, with the cost-of-living crisis weighing heavily on voters' minds as they choose their next federal parliament.

The ruling centre-left Labor Party, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, is seeking re-election in Saturday’s federal vote. According to Reuters, opinion polls place Labor slightly ahead, but projections indicate the party may fall short of securing a clear majority.

Let's take closer look to the details of the Australian elections. 

Voting schedule and process of elections 

Federal elections of Australia will take place on May 3, 2025, voting is compulsory for all citizens over the age of 18.

Due to multiple time zones in Australia more than 7,000 polling stations across the country will open from 8 am to 6 pm.

Over 500 early voting centres across Australia opened on April 22 and will close by May 2. As of Thursday, around 4.8 million Australians had already voted. Overseas citizens can vote at embassies or consulates, though it’s not mandatory — but they must inform the AEC if they choose not to.

Once the polls close, counting begins right away and results are updated in real time on the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) website.

Mechanism of elections

Elections take place in every three years through preferential voting system. Voters have to cast their votes through two ballot papers one for each house of parliament.

A green ballot to rank candidates for the House of Representatives and a white one to choose senators, listing parties at the top and their candidates below. For the white ballot, voters can either pick a party listed at the top or rank individual candidates shown at the bottom.

To win, a candidate must secure over 50 percent of first-preference votes. If no one does, the least popular candidates are eliminated one by one, and their votes are reallocated based on next preferences until someone crosses the threshold.

There are 76 senators and 150 members of the House of Representatives.

Who are the main candidates for the elections? 

The main contenders in the federal election are Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of the Labor Party (ALP) and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, representing the Liberal-National Coalition.

• Anthony Albanese: Anthony Albanese became Prime Minister in 2022 after over 25 years in Parliament. Though initially popular, his approach to issues like housing, Indigenous rights, antisemitism, and Islamophobia has faced criticism. As of Wednesday, YouGov polls show Labor slightly ahead in the two-party preferred vote, with 31.4% support compared to the Coalition’s 31.1%.

• Peter Dutton: A former police officer and businessman is contesting his first election as opposition leader. Known for his conservative stance on security, immigration, and law and order, he has blamed the Albanese government for rising inflation and vowed to cut public spending.

• Others: Adam Bandt, leader of the Australian Greens, frames the election as a choice between progressive change or a US-style conservative shift. David Littleproud, head of the Nationals, is expected to be deputy if Peter Dutton wins.

Key issues

The major issues in the 2025 federal elections are - cost of living, housing prices and energy.

• Cost of living: Inflation has sharply raised living costs in Australia, with prices like eggs up 11% last year. The Reserve Bank hiked interest rates to 4.35% in late 2023, while inflation peaked at 7.8%. Despite government relief measures, cost of living remains voters' top concern.

• Housing prices: Australia’s housing crisis is a top election issue, with soaring prices and rents making homes unaffordable for many. Inflation has driven some builders out of business, worsening shortages and pushing rents up 4.8% last year. In Sydney, buyers need an average income of AU$280,000 to afford a median-priced home.

Labor promises 100,000 new homes for first-time buyers, while the Coalition plans to ease approvals and boost infrastructure. Critics say government spending has fueled inflation, and healthcare is also under strain with long waits and staff shortages.

• Energy:  Young Australians are urging stronger climate action, with half of those aged 18 to 34 backing a shift to renewables by 2030. Both major parties support clean energy but differ on how to get there. The Coalition proposes building seven nuclear power plants by 2035, while Labor plans to meet 82% of energy needs through renewables, arguing nuclear is too slow to address current demand.

Experts say the 'Trump factor' may hurt Peter Dutton more than Anthony Albanese, as global uncertainty and trade tensions with China grow. While Dutton initially led in polls amid domestic frustration over living costs, Labor has pulled slightly ahead, though it may still need independents to form a government.