All voters who have tested positive to COVID this week will now have the chance vote in the Federal election on Saturday May 21 via telephone from isolation.

Previously the provision only applied to people who tested positive after 6pm on Tuesday 17 May.

This had potentially excluded thousands of Australians, who had not had a chance to attend an early voting centre or register for a postal vote, from voting.

The rules have now been changed so those people don’t miss out.

Telephone voting for COVID positive voters is now available for those who register online until 4pm on Saturday.

To register voters will need their test results to complete an online questionnaire and record a six digit PIN.

They will then receive a telephone voting registration number, sent by email or SMS that will enable them to vote by phone.

Telephone voting will be available until 6pm today, Friday 20 May and from 8am to 6pm on election day, Saturday 21 May.

Visit the Australian Electoral Commission website for full details and to register for a telephone vote on the designated 1800 number.