Can I Open Someone Else’s Mail? And Other Postal Survey Questions

Casually ticking a box indicating whether or not all Australians should enjoy the same legal rights is an option we all have this month. Not our proudest national moment, but here we are.

Let's just concentrate on the basics. Get it done. Stop reading ridiculous op-eds from religious leaders, stop shaking your fist at the sky (not that we can blame you), and just fill out your dang survey form.

Here's everything you need to know in order to do that.

Because Australia Post has 16 million of these things to deliver! It's going to take a bit of time. "Not all forms have been sent out yet," a representative from the ABS explains. All the forms should have arrived by September 25, and if yours hasn't arrived by then, definitely give the helpline a call. "If people have moved and are worried about their envelope not arriving, they can also search for their details online or call us and we can check their details, make sure the right details are on the roll. And we can send out another form."

You can reach the dedicated postal survey helpline between 8 AM and 8 PM local time, seven days a week via 1800 572 113 (+61 2 6252 5262 from overseas).

Actually no. We gave it a ring around 9 AM this morning, and there was virtually no wait time. Also, the operator was incredibly helpful and friendly.

Yes! As a representative from the ABS explains, "If someone's address isn't correct, they can call up and get the form sent to their new address." Easy. Just do it ASAP, so the envelope arrives within the next week.

Pretty much every share house in Australia is facing this moral dilemma right now. You've got a bunch of random envelopes sitting on your kitchen table, and you're itching to open them and tick the "Yes" option. We can't blame you.

The official advice is that opening someone else's mail is a federal offence. "And there is a penalty," the ABS rep explains. But there are a couple of workarounds. "If you don't know the person, just write "return to sender" on the envelope and pop it back in the post when you send your survey off, if you're going to."

Does this mean someone has lost their chance to vote in the survey? "Yes, unless that person calls up the ABS and says their envelope has gone to an old address, and asks if the ABS can send a new one to their current address. We do get a lot of those calls."

There's also another option…

You absolutely can, but the ABS wants you to ask them nicely first. "You can be someone's trusted person. We recommend you contact them first, of course, because it's their choice obviously. There's no need to retain proof of them giving you permission."

TLDR: Facebook exists for a reason. Even if you've never heard of this rando before, type their name into the search box and send a DM. Chances are the type of person who hasn't updated their AEC details is not so much apathetic about marriage equality as they are disorganised. They'll probably appreciate your efforts to track them down.

If you accidentally ticked the wrong box, the ABS recommends requesting another form rather than chancing misinterpretation of your vote. Do this over the phone ASAP. Same thing if you lose the form or damage it in some way.

If your form has arrived, just post it! What are you waiting for? But if you've been away, or your form looks like it is arriving late, don't stress.

"We prefer that all forms are in by the 27th of October, but we understand sometimes they won't be," the ABS explains. "The 7th of November is the absolute cut off. The form must be at the ABS by the 7th of November. No forms will be accepted after that date. And the results we are hoping to publish from the 15th onwards."

No! A prepaid envelope is included with your ballot paper. And trust us, there's almost definitely a postbox within walking distance of your house—just google it.

Don't know. But be aware that mental health support services are available—don't forget to look after yourself, and check up on your LGBTQI friends.

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