Originally Posted by Belial

Sorry to steal your catchcry Sharni...but that smells of frogshit to me

Having one's name checked off of the electoral roll and submitting a ballot paper is compulsory only for those enrolled to vote. Being eligible to enroll to vote (being over 18) does not compel one to enroll to vote. If you don't enroll to vote, you won't go on the electoral roll and so won't be compelled to vote. Of course, once you're on, you can't remove yourself, but I have friends who are nearing their mid-20s and are not enrolled to vote.

Even if you are enrolled to vote, there is nothing compelling you to actually write anything on your ballot paper. Plenty of people submit a blank ballot paper, it's called "voting informally".

So essentially, you can sign yourself up to be forced to go through the rigmarole of showing up to a place of voting until you snuff it, but even then you don't have to submit your preferences. So I'd say that voting is not compulsory for all intents and purposes in Australia.