Millions of people will be heading to the ballot box or submitting postal votes in the coming months when the polls open for the 2022 federal election.
Many things remain unclear, including who the big winners and losers will be, and which party will be leading the country after the votes have been tallied.
But one thing is certain; people will be asked to mark their preferences no later than 21 May.
Here's what you need to know about this year's federal election.
When will it be held?
Election day will fall on a Saturday between now and the end of May, but the exact timing is up to Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
When he's ready, Mr Morrison will go to Governor-General David Hurley and request parliament be dissolved and writs for the election be issued.
Writs can be issued up to 10 days following the dissolution of parliament.
"Australia has maximum three-year terms for the House of Representatives and, for the Senate, half of the state senators' terms expire on 30 June every three years," Sarah Cameron, a political scientist in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Sydney, said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on election night at the Wentworth Sofitel Hotel, Sydney, Saturday, May 18, 2019. Source: AAP
"As a result of these parameters, the last possible date for a combined half-Senate and House of Representatives election is 21 May this year. This is the last date that the election can be held so that senators can start their terms on 1 July of this year."
The 2022 federal budget has been scheduled a bit earlier than usual this year, on 29 March. Usually, it’s handed down on the first Tuesday in May.
According to a post on the , this leaves only three possible election dates: 7, 14, or 21 May. That would mean the election would need to be called in early to mid-April.
What could influence the date?
Given Mr Morrison has the power to decide when the ballot is called, he will call it when the coalition is most likely to win, Dr Cameron said.
"What's happened over the summer with the COVID-19 outbreak is that the approval of the Prime Minister and the government has declined. So by waiting to call the election, it seems that the government would be waiting in the hopes of better polling by election time," she said.
What can South Australia's election tell us?
Labor’s win in South Australia is the first time there’s been a change of government since the COVID-19 outbreak.
Labor leader Peter Malinauskas’ victory against outgoing Premier Steven Marshall provides some insight into the upcoming Federal election.
Emeritus Professor Clem MacIntyre from the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Adelaide said sitting governments shouldn't rely on what they've already achieved.
Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese with SA Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas during a visit to a pre-polling booth in Adelaide, 2022. Source: AAP
"The Steven Marshall Liberal government chose to campaign very much on its record, a very successful record, keeping coronavirus out of the state.
"But the campaign was largely around that record: keeping South Australia safe" Professor MacIntyre said.
"Recognising the government needs to have a viable program for the next election cycle, and not just rely upon a record of achievement, is one of the key issues [they need to address in the upcoming campaign]."
Hasn't the campaign already started?
It might feel like it, with parties across the spectrum talking about spending and promises if they held the balance of power in Canberra going into the winter.
But while politicians are free to talk about their priorities were they to win, the election campaign itself doesn't officially start until the writs are issued.
And we can expect more announcements from both sides as it draws closer.
Additional reporting by Evan Young and Monique Pueblos.