Forthcoming Australian and New Zealand Election Dates
This Hawker Britton Occasional Paper outlines the forthcoming election dates of the Australian Federal, State and Territory jurisdictions, and for the national parliament New Zealand.
Federal, State and Territory elections
| Jurisdiction | Last election | Fixed date | Latest possible date |
| Federal | 21 May 2022 | 24 May 2025 (simultaneous half-Senate and House of Reps) | |
| Victoria | 24 November 2018 | 26 November 2022 | |
| New South Wales | 23 March 2019 | 25 March 2023 | |
| Queensland | 31 October 2020 | 26 October 2024 | |
| South Australia | 19 March 2022 | 21 March 2026 | |
| Western Australia | 13 March 2021 | 8 March 2025 | |
| Tasmania | 1 May 2021 | 28 June 2025 | |
| ACT | 17 October 2020 | 19 October 2024 | |
| Northern Territory | 22 August 2020 | 24 August 2024 | |
| New Zealand | 17 October 2020 | 13 January 2024 |
Federal
Federally, Members of the House of Representatives are elected to three-year terms. Senators representing the states are elected to six-year terms, with half of them being elected every three years. Senators commence their term on 1 July following a general election.
Senators representing the Territories are elected to three-year terms.
There is no constitutional requirement that elections for the House of Representatives and state Senators be held simultaneously. These elections are however, generally held concurrently primarily to avoid the duplication of costs.
For a House of Representatives and half-Senate election to be held concurrently the election must be held at any time within one year prior to the Senate places turning over, according to s13 of the Constitution. If a House of Representatives election is called outside of this time period, the responsibility for the half Senate only election falls to the respective states, with governors issuing writs for the (half) Senate election. Section 57 of the Constitution also provides for a double dissolution election of both the House and the Senate where a disagreement exists between them. As of 3 October 2022, no trigger for a double dissolution exists.
The earliest date for a concurrent House of Representatives and half-Senate election would be Saturday 3 August 2024. As the latest possible date for a half-Senate election is Saturday 24 May 2025, the latest possible date for a simultaneous (half-Senate and House of Representatives) election is also 24 May 2025. The Labor Party currently hold Government after winning the 2022 federal election.
Victoria
The Victorian Legislative Assembly has a fixed four-year term. The election is held on the last Saturday in November every four years. The next election will be held on Saturday 26 November 2022. The Labor Party currently hold Government.
New South Wales
The New South Wales Legislative Assembly has a fixed four-year term. Elections are held on the fourth Saturday in March every four years. The next election will be held on Saturday 25 March 2023. The Coalition currently hold Government.
Queensland
The Queensland Legislative Assembly has a fixed four-year term. The election is held on the last Saturday in October every four years. The next election will be held on Saturday 26 October 2024. The Labor Party currently hold Government.
South Australia
The South Australian House of Assembly has a fixed four-year term. Elections are held on the third Saturday in March every four years. The next election will be held on Saturday 21 March 2026. The Labor Party currently hold Government.
Western Australia
Western Australia’s Legislative Assembly has a fixed four-year term. The election is held on the second Saturday in March every four years. The next election will be held on Saturday 8 March 2025. The Labor Party currently hold Government.
Tasmania
The Tasmanian House of Assembly term expires four years from the return of the writs for its election. The Governor must issue writs of election between five and ten days thereafter. Nominations must close on a date seven to 21 days after the issuance of the writ, and polling day must be a Saturday between 15 and 30 days after nominations close. As such, the next election is to be held no later than the end of June 2025. The Coalition currently hold Government.
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory’s Legislative Assembly has a fixed four-year term. Elections are held on the third Saturday in October every four years. The next election will be held on Saturday 19 October 2024. The Labor-Greens Coalition currently hold Government.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory’s unicameral Parliament has a four-year term. The election is held on the fourth Saturday of August every four years. The next election is due on Saturday 24 August 2024. The Labor Party currently hold Government.
New Zealand
New Zealand general elections generally occur every three years. New Zealand law requires elections at least once every three years and two months, though elections are often held after three years, traditionally in November. The next election can be held no later than Saturday 13 January 2024. The Labor Party currently hold Government.
For more information, please contact Hawker Britton’s Managing Director Simon Banks on +61 419 648 587.
Picture: AEC