Sharon Bird MP, Member for Cunningham, and Stephen Jones MP, Member for Throsby, are pleased to announce that the ballot for Australians who would like the opportunity to attend Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli in 2015 will open at midnight tonight.

To ensure that Australians and New Zealanders can attend as safely, securely and comfortably as possible, a fair, open and transparent ballot is being held to allocate places for official Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli in 2015.

Places will be available for 8,000 Australians, 2,000 New Zealanders and 500 official representatives of all countries involved in the Gallipoli campaign.

Of the 8,000 Australian places, 2,000 will be available for special representatives such as direct descendants, the veteran community and secondary school students and their chaperones. The remaining 6,000 places (3,000 double passes) will be accessible to all Australians to apply.

Widows of Australian First World War veterans do not need to apply for the ballot and will be contacted separately by the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding their interest in attending.

All ballot applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria including Australian citizenship or permanent residency and be a minimum of 18 years of age on, or before, 25 April 2015.

The ballots close at midnight on 31 January 2013 and applicants will be notified of the outcome in March 2014 to allow enough time for those successful to make their travel arrangements and pay for the trip.

For more information on Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli, eligibility for the ballot and to apply, visit www.gallipoli2015.dva.gov.au. To request a paper application form, call Ticketek on 1300 364 002.