Not sure how to vote in the election? These online tools can help

WORDS Kirsty Thatcher PHOTOGRAPHY Pinterest PUBLISHED Thu, 1 May 2025 - 9:59 am

The 2025 federal election is looming. On 3 May, Australians will be called to cast their votes for both new members of Parliament, and the next Prime Minister.

We'll admit, the lead up to a federal elections can feel like a blur of promises and claims. But behind the noise, one simple question matters most: Which candidate actually aligns with what you care about?

As issues like student loans, home ownership, and affordable healthcare take centre stage, it’s increasingly important to make informed decisions based on your values—not just headlines.

For those feeling overwhelmed by the volume of information or unsure where to begin, there are a number of online tools designed to help. These platforms compare policies, track candidate positions, and let you explore how your views align with those on the ballot. Here are a few worth exploring before you vote.

1. Build A Ballot

Build A Ballot is a straightforward, user-friendly tool that lets you customise your ballot based on the issues that matter most to you. It was created by Project Planet Inc, a small charity focused on helping Australians better understand climate change, with the aim of helping voters cut through the noise and understand where parties and candidates stand on the issues that matter most to them, so they can make their decision based on facts, rather than spin.

It works by asking you a short series of questions about the issues at the centre of the election, and then calculates a percentage ‘match level’ with the candidates in your electorate and state. You can then drag candidates into your ‘voting plan’ - putting them in the order of your preference. It's especially useful if you're unsure where independents or lesser-known candidates stand, or if you're looking to go beyond traditional party platforms.

2. ABC Vote Compass

Vote Compass is a non-partisan online tool designed to help voters understand how their views align with the positions of political parties during an election.

In Australia, it’s developed by political scientists in partnership with the ABC, and is updated for each election cycle. It works by asking you answer a series of questions on key political and social issues (e.g. climate change, tax policy, Indigenous affairs), then comparing your answers to the publicly stated policies of each major party. It then generates a visual map showing how closely your views align with each party across economic, social, and environmental dimension.

3. They Vote For You

They Vote For You is an Australian tool that tracks how Members of Parliament (MPs) vote on legislation—allowing you to see whether your MP's actions in Parliament reflect the values they claim to represent. Created by the not-for-profit OpenAustralia Foundation, the site lets you search your local MP and view a record of how they’ve voted on key issues in Parliament. You can then explore policy areas and see which MPs supported or opposed relevant bills, and compare these votes with public statements, helping identify where rhetoric and action diverge.