Australian election 2022: everything you need to know

Australians are heading to the polls to decide the make-up of the next government. As you prepare to cast your vote, here is everything you need to know.

The 2022 Australian federal election is on Saturday 21 May. You can vote at any polling place between 8am and 6pm in your state or territory.

You can find your nearest polling place on the Australian Electoral Commission website.

At this election, extra provision has been made to ensure those affected by the recent floods in Queensland and New South Wales, and people affected by Covid are not disenfranchised.

The list of polling places impacted will be small, the AEC said, but make sure you check your nearest voting booth is open before you head out to vote.

Speaking of seats, there are some particularly interesting ones to watch this year. With more independents in the field, retirements of sitting members and minor parties joining the fray, previously safe seats are less predictable.

To form a majority government Labor needs to gain at least seven seats while the Coalition must offset any losses with gains elsewhere to stay in power.

This week the Guardian Essential poll showed the race was tightening. On Wednesday Labor held a two-point lead in the two-party-preferred option, sitting on 48% and the Coalition on 46%. Undecided voters made up 7%.

The most recent Newspoll, which is commissioned by the Australian and conducted by YouGov, also has Labor ahead, predicting there would be a +5.53 swing towards the ALP if the election was held today.

You can read more on the latest Essential poll from political editor Katharine Murphy here.

Elias Visontay has more on how polls have changed.

Australian citizens vote for their local members of parliament in the House of Representatives and their state Senate representatives via a preferential voting system.

In this TikTok Matilda Boseley explains everything you need to know before you hit the ballot box:

The Greens have said they will suggest their voters preference Labor before the Liberals across the country.

Labor is preferencing the Greens second for the Senate in every state and territory except Tasmania, where the Jacqui Lambie Network has been gifted the second spot, and the ACT, where independent David Pocock will get it.

Labor is also giving second spots to some teal independents in key battleground seats Wentworth, Kooyong and Curtin.

The number of campaigns from independents and minor parties this election means it will likely come down to preferences in key battleground seats.

This piece from Ben Raue outlines everything you need to know about preferences before you vote.

On Saturday your Senate ballot paper is likely to have a range of micro parties, all with niche interests. Josh Butler takes you through the minor parties and what they support.

However, the AFR, also owned by Nine, does not believe Albanese has made the case against Morrison or for himself.

The Guardian Australia live blog will bring you coverage from across the nation.

Over on Sky, Kieran Gilbert will anchor coverage from 5pm, along with Andrew Clennell, election analyst Tom Connell and Sky After Dark host Peta Credlin.

On Seven, political editor Mark Riley will lead coverage along with Natalie Barr and Michael Usher, also from 5pm.

ABC radio is offering live coverage too, hosted by Raf Epstein and Sabra Lane, with Thomas Oriti covering all the latest news on the night. Listen live via your ABC local radio station, ABC NewsRadio, RN or on the ABC Listen app.