Australians are heading to the polls on Saturday, May 3, but early voting is already underway and it's breaking records. On the first day alone, more than 524,000 people cast their ballots, marking a significant increase from previous elections. With over 18 million Australians enrolled to vote, the Australian Electoral Commission anticipates that around half of all votes will be cast before election day.
For the more than 650,000 New Zealanders living in Australia, this election holds particular significance. Many have become citizens and are now eligible to vote, directly influencing the nation's future. Even for those who can't vote, the outcome will impact daily life.
From healthcare access and housing affordability to energy costs and employment opportunities. Australia Correspondent Aziz Al Sa'afin explains how and why.
Cost of Living
Whether it’s groceries, rent or power bills, the rising cost of living has been front and centre in Australia's election campaign. So what is each major party putting on offer?
Labor is sticking with already-legislated tax cuts and offering energy bill relief and rent assistance.
- Tax rate for income earners between $45,000 and $135,000 will drop from 32.5% to 30%, delivering annual savings of up to $1,500.
- Households will receive $300 in energy bill relief, with additional rent assistance for lower-income Australians.
- A new $1,000 instant deduction for work-related expenses will also apply to eligible workers.
The Coalition has promised a new tax deduction for first-home buyers who purchase new builds – allowing them to claim mortgage interest against their taxable income.
- The deduction applies to loans up to $650,000, saving up to $13,000 over five years.
- They’ll also halve the fuel excise for 12 months, saving motorists 25 cents per litre.
- A one-off tax refund of up to $1,200 will be provided to Australians earning less than $144,000 matching Labor's pledge.
What it means for Kiwis: With many New Zealanders renting or working in key industries like trades, health and hospitality, these policies could influence weekly budgets and open pathways to home ownership.
Healthcare & Bulk Billing
Healthcare has become one of the most hotly contested issues in this election especially around access to bulk billing, where patients can see a GP without paying out of pocket. But rising costs have pushed many clinics to stop offering it, leaving millions - including Kiwis - footing the bill.
Labor, in part, is pitching itself as the party to fix it.
- A major $8.5 billion investment is underway to boost bulk billing incentives for GPs.
- They're aiming to lift the bulk billing rate to 90% of GP visits by 2030.
- A new incentive of 12.5% extra per visit will go to clinics that bulk bill all patients, not just children or pensioners.
- Medicine prices are also being capped at $25 per script under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
The Coalition is matching the $8.5 billion spend but says Labor let bulk billing slide under its watch.
- They’re adding an extra $400 million for youth mental health support.
- They also promise to restore 20 subsidised mental health sessions per year, after it was cut to 10 under Labor.
- There’s a push to get more junior doctors into general practice with new training incentives.
What it means for Kiwis: Most New Zealanders in Australia don’t qualify for concession cards, so bulk billing access is limited. If Labor’s reforms stick and clinics take up the incentives, more Kiwis could soon be getting free GP visits again. And cheaper medicine wouldn’t hurt either.
Energy & Climate
From power bills to climate targets, energy policy is a major dividing line in this election. Both major parties say they want to cut costs for households, but how they plan to get there couldn’t be more different.
Labor is sticking with its renewables-led plan:
- $300 energy bill relief will go to every household from July 1.
- Aims to reach 82% renewable energy by 2030, including large investments in solar, wind, and transmission upgrades.
- Funding billions for community batteries and rooftop solar expansion.
- Backing green hydrogen and electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure rollouts.
The Coalition wants to go nuclear - literally:
- Proposes building seven nuclear power stations, estimated to cost $17 billion each.
- Targets first plants being operational by 2040.
- Also plans to expand gas production, arguing it’s essential for energy reliability.
- Will scrap Labor’s emissions reduction targets and focus on “technology not taxes.”
What it means for Kiwis: If you’re living in Australia and struggling with bills, both parties are offering short-term energy relief.
But long term, it’s a clash of philosophies: clean renewables versus nuclear and gas. For climate-conscious Kiwis, this could shape everything from job markets to regional environmental leadership.
Defence & Security
Defence isn’t just a Canberra concern, it’s about Australia’s role in the Pacific and what that means for the region, including New Zealand. With rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, both major parties are promising big military spend-ups.
Labor is focused on strategic partnerships and modernisation:
- Committed to the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal with the UK and US (and potentially New Zealand as a Pillar Two partner) which makes up part of a $368 billion long-term project.
- An extra $50 billion in defence spending is planned over the next decade.
- A new $1 billion defence industry package is aimed at building local capability and jobs.
- Continued focus on cyber security, intelligence, and regional stability.
The Coalition is going bigger and faster:
- Wants to increase defence spending to 3% of GDP (currently around 2%) — one of the largest defence budgets in Australian history.
- Plans to purchase a fourth fleet of F-35 fighter jets, lifting Australia’s air combat fleet to 100.
- Stronger push for military presence in northern Australia and greater US-Australia military cooperation.
- An appeared less emphasis on diplomacy, more on defence readiness.
What it means for Kiwis: New Zealand and Australia are close defence allies. Any shift in Australia’s posture (particularly under AUKUS) affects the broader Pacific balance.
For Kiwis in Australia’s defence force or defence industry, this could mean more jobs, new tech, and deeper strategic ties… but also bigger questions around nuclear policy and future conflicts.
As early voting continues and election day approaches, the decisions made at the ballot box will have real consequences for New Zealanders living in Australia. With early signs pointing to a tight race and the possibility of a hung parliament, both major parties are vying for every seat.
SHARE ME