US election time in Australia and how to watch

Republican Donald Trump goes up against Democrat Kamala Harris in the US presidential election being held on Tuesday November 5, US time.

Trump will be attempting to return to the White House after he became one-term president losing to Joe Biden in 2020 whereas Harris hopes to make the step up after serving as vice-president for the past four years.

Here's what Australians need to know.

What time is the US election Australian time?

With US states being 15 to 19 hours behind Australia's east coast much of the action will take place on Wednesday, November 6.

Voting in US eastern states will close at 6pm US Eastern Time on Tuesday, which in Australia will be from 10am Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) on Wednesday.

In Queensland it will be 9am, 9.30am in South Australia and 7am in Western Australia .

By 8pm US Eastern Time polls will have fully closed in more than 20 states, including the crucial swing states of Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

In Australia this will be by Wednesday noon AEDT, 11am in Queensland, 11.30am in SA and 9am in WA.

Voting in chief battleground states Michigan and Wisconsin will close at 9pm US Eastern Time, meaning 1pm (AEDT), 12pm in Queensland, 12.30pm in SA and 10am WA.

The last US polls close in Hawaii and Alaska at 12am Wednesday US Eastern Time, which is 4pm (AEDT), 3pm in Queensland, 3.300m in SA and 1pm in WA.

When will we know who has won?

Unless the election is abnormally tight the winner should be evident by the time polls close in Hawaii and Alaska (4pm, AEDT), which is several hours after vote counting begins in key eastern states.

However, polls are predicting a tight race.

In 2020 the Associated Press did not declare Biden the winner until the next day and in 2016 it took until 2.29am US Eastern Time to declare Trump the winner, which was evening in Australia (7.30pm AEDT).

How to watch the US election coverage in Australia?

All free-to-air TV stations will have rolling coverage. The ABC, Channel 10, Nine and SBS's coverage all begins at or shortly after 10am AEDT on Wednesday. Channel Seven's coverage will begin at 11.30am, with Natalie Barr in Washington.

Coverage will continue through the day with breaks for local news bulletins and evening programs.

The SBS broadcast will include coverage from the US outlet PBS.

Coverage will continue throughout the day, with Australian channels breaking for local news bulletins and evening programs at different points.

Who will cover online?

Daily Mail Australia will have continuous coverage. You can find a live blog here .

Where are election watch parties?

Election watch parties are happening in major Australian capitals.

A 'Trump Election Watch Party' will be held at the Sanctuary hotel on Kent Street from 1pm on Wednesday.

Democrats Abroad is holding its party at Kent Street hotel from 9.30am on Wednesday.

AmCham, the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia, is holding a watch party at Hawthorn hotel from 2pm on Wednesday. The party will feature a live broadcast of NBC's election coverage. This is a paid, ticketed event.

Democrats Abroad is holding its party at Belgrave hotel from 10am on Wednesday.

Democrats Abroad, an official arm of the Democratic party, is holding its party at the Pig 'N' Whistle from 10am on Wednesday.

The University of Adelaide's Politics and International Relations Association will be holding its party at the Crown and Sceptre hotel from 11am (local time) on Wednesday.

Democrats Abroad is holding its party at PJ's in the City from 10am on Wednesday 6 November.

Perth USAsia Centre will be holding its party at the IQX building at the University of Western Australia from 7.30am on Wednesday.