Liberal MP Tim Wilson has called for early voting to be restricted to a week, except at airports and in major city and regional centres, to cut election costs and the number of volunteers required to staff polling booths.

A record 4.7 million of Australia's 16.4 million voters lodged their ballot in the three-week pre-poll period leading up to the May federal election, compared with 2.98 million in 2016.

4.7 million people cast pre-poll votes in this year's election. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

In a submission to Parliament's review of the 2019 election, Mr Wilson said voters were handing in ballots early out of convenience, not necessity.

"It makes sense to have full early voting at domestic and international airports, at central booths of capital cities and regional centres for the full three weeks. That leaves pathways based on necessity, rather than simple ease and would reduce the cost of holding an election and the volunteers required," the Victorian backbencher said.