How will Australia choose its next prime minister?

As the nation prepares to head to the polls on 3 May, here's a guide to its electoral system and what to watch.

British Broadcasting CorporationWatch LiveHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcastsRadioAudio FAQsVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherNewslettersHow will Australia choose its next prime minister? 17 hours agoShareSaveHannah RitchieBBC News, SydneyShareSaveGetty ImagesIt is compulsory for Australians to vote on election day - and many will queue for a customary sausage in breadOn 3 May Australians will head to the polls to vote in their first federal election since 2022.

The results will determine who the next prime minister will be, as well as the make-up of the nation's parliament.

Australia famously has a unique electoral system - and some quirky polling day traditions. Voting is mandatory for all citizens over 18, the country uses preferential voting, and picking up a "democracy sausage" is a polling day custom.

Almost 18 million people are registered to vote in this election - roughly 98% of those who are eligible.

Unlike the First Past the Post system - used in the UK and most US states - which elects candidates based on who has received the greatest number of votes in a single count, regardless of whether they've secured an absolute majority - voters in Australia rank candidates in order of preference.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c626e935llwo

---