Australians cast their votes in UK

Australians have been turning out in force to cast their votes at the biggest polling station in the election - in London.

Almost 10,000 people had voted at Australia House in London by Wednesday night, with another 6000 expected before the polls close at 10pm on Friday.

Voting opened in London on August 9, and officials said the numbers of people voting had swelled in the last few days of the election campaign.They expect the final numbers to be on par with the 2007 election, which recorded 16,190 votes.

The Australian High Commission said up to 2526 postal votes could be added to that figure.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott are facing a tight election battle in Australia, and voters in London last night (NZ time) were split.

Lucy Hooper, 28, from Tasmania, said her family traditionally votes for the Liberals, but she hadn't been overly impressed by any of the parties.

"I'm fairly undecided, I don't feel like anyone had a clear lead," Ms Hooper told AAP.

"It seems no-one's making a standout effort on their policies at the moment so it's a bit disappointing.

"I voted for the Liberals but I evened it out - Liberals first, then Labor and then the Greens."

She predicts Labor will scrape through on Saturday, and believes having a female prime minister is a good thing for Australia.

"Being young and female, it's so great to see her rise through the ranks," Ms Hooper said.

"If she was voted in I think it would be a great thing for Australia."

Hannah Sneespy, 26, from Tamworth, said she had interrupted her holiday to cast her vote, and is hoping the Liberals will form government.

"Hopefully Tony Abbott will win, because Julia Gillard is a back-stabbing bitch," she said.

A number of voters expressed a desire to see Ms Gillard given more of a chance to prove herself after replacing Kevin Rudd in June.

Frank Tierney from Gymea in Sydney said he thought she had showed great promise.

"I liked Kevin Rudd, I voted for Kevin Rudd last time, and I think Julia Gillard, being our first female prime minister and all, needs an opportunity to show how she can do some good and bring in some good policies," he said.

"I believe she is a very good leader."

Chris Gauci from Melbourne said he didn't vote in the last election, but as he is preparing to move back to Australia after three-and-a-half years in London he wanted to have his say.

A long-time Labor voter, he said he had been impressed by Ms Gillard.

"I have always liked her. I thought she should have been prime minister before Kevin Rudd," he said.

Ms Gillard made headlines in the UK this week after announcing she wants Australia to become a republic when the Queen dies.

The Times ran the story on the front page, but Australian voters in London were generally supportive of her remarks.

Lynne Hutton-Williams and Robyn Kemmis from Glebe in Sydney said they thought it was inevitable.

"It's the sensible thing to do for Australia and the Australian economy," Ms Kemmis said.

"As fond of the royal family as everybody is, it's the appropriate thing to do.

"It is a bit sad - we are on our way to Buckingham Palace."

- AAP