All same-sex marriage survey forms were expected to have been sent out by September 25.
If more than 50 per cent of survey forms returned say ‘yes’, then a Private Members Bill will be introduced to Parliament to legalise same-sex marriage.
As every Australian has been given the opportunity to vote, a certain number of people do not need to vote for it to be considered a valid survey of the Australian population.
“Everyone on the electoral roll will be getting a ballot paper and that is where its legitimacy comes from,” Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has said.
November 7 is the final deadline to return the survey. The results will be released on November 15.
If there is a ‘yes’ majority, a Private Members Bill will be introduced to legalise same-sex marriage and it will be a free vote.