Australians will go to the polls on May 18.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the date early this morning after meeting with Governor-General Peter Cosgrove.

Mr Morrison says the parliament needs to deal with the nation’s issues through a “conscience vote”.

“We’re making sure that in the next 10 years, Australians will have better choices,” he said.

“You change the government, you change the course of the country.”

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says he’s ready to lead his experienced team.