Damon Mcknight
Elections in Australia are held periodically to elect the legislature of the Commonwealth of Australia, as well as for each Australian state and territory and for local government councils. All six states and both territories have established limits on parliamentary terms, with the federal parliament limited to three years and all state and territorial parliaments limited to a four-year term. Federal elections are held every three years, while state elections are held every four years. For example, Queensland elections are held every four years on the last Saturday in October, while South Australian state elections are held on the third Saturday in March every four years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Election day | Saturday |
| Voting eligibility | Australian citizens aged 18 and over |
| Voting type | Compulsory |
| Federal elections frequency | Every three years |
| State elections frequency | Every four years |
| State elections date | Third Saturday in March |
| Local elections frequency | Every four years (except in Western Australia, where they are held every two years) |
| Local elections date | Fourth Saturday in October |
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What You'll Learn
Federal elections are held every three years
Federal elections in Australia are held every three years. The Australian Parliament consists of two chambers: the House of Representatives (commonly referred to as the lower house) and the Senate (also referred to as the upper house). The House of Representatives has 150 members, each elected for a maximum term of three years in single-member constituencies. The Senate, on the other hand, has 76 senators, with each state constituting a single constituency, normally returning 6 senators every three years.
Federal elections in Australia are governed by the Australian Constitution and the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, and are run by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). The AEC is responsible for setting the election timetable and ensuring that elections are conducted in accordance with the law. The Constitution also specifies that federal parliament term lengths are three years for the House of Representatives and six years for the Senate. This makes it difficult to change the frequency of federal elections.
While federal elections are held every three years, state and territory elections in Australia are typically held every four years. For example, Queensland elections take place every four years on the last Saturday in October. Similarly, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) holds elections for its Legislative Assembly every four years on the third Saturday in October. However, it is important to note that each state and territory has its own electoral laws and fixed election dates for state and local elections.
Voting in federal, state, and territory elections is compulsory for all Australian citizens over the age of 18 who are enrolled on the electoral roll. Enrolment on the electoral roll is also compulsory for citizens aged 18 and above. Australia has a unique tradition of always holding elections on a Saturday, allowing for early voting in the lead-up to the official election day.
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State elections are held every four years
In Australia, state elections are held every four years. While federal elections in Australia are held every three years, each state and territory has its own electoral laws for state and local elections, including the rules for when elections can be held.
State elections in South Australia, for example, are held on the third Saturday in March every four years. The most recent election was held on Saturday, 19 March 2022. In Queensland, elections are held every four years on the last Saturday in October. In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), elections are held on the third Saturday in October every four years for the Legislative Assembly.
Local elections for each state and territory, except the ACT and Western Australia (WA), are generally held every four years. In Victoria, for instance, local government elections are held on the fourth Saturday in October every four years. As noted, the ACT doesn't have local elections, while in WA, local elections are held every two years on the third Saturday in October.
In Australia, voting for the federal, state, and territory parliaments is compulsory for citizens aged 18 and above. Each jurisdiction has its own laws and customs regarding when elections will take place. However, state and territory elections cannot, by federal law, take place within a week before or after a federal election.
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Queensland elections are held in October
In Australia, federal elections are held every three years, while state and territory elections are held every four years. Each jurisdiction has its own laws and customs regarding election dates, but state and territory elections cannot take place within a week before or after a federal election.
Queensland elections are held every four years on the last Saturday in October. The most recent Queensland election took place on 26 October 2024, with the opposition Liberal National Party (LNP) defeating the incumbent Labor government. Queensland has fixed terms, with all elections following the 2020 election held every four years on the last Saturday of October.
The Queensland election process includes several key stages. Firstly, the issue of an election writ marks the official start of the election period. This is followed by a candidate nomination period, during which individuals or parties submit their candidacy. A ballot paper order draw is then conducted to determine the order of candidates on the ballot. An early voting period is also provided, allowing voters to cast their ballots before the official election day. The state's electoral commission, known as the ECQ, manages these electoral events.
Queensland elections have witnessed significant participation from various political parties. In the 2024 election, a total of 525 candidates from nine political parties contested the election, making it the second-most contested election in Queensland's history. The LNP was the first party to formally endorse candidates, with David Crisafulli leading the party to victory. The Labor Party, led by Steven Miles, previously held power before their defeat in 2024.
The Queensland elections have also featured debates among party leaders, providing an opportunity for voters to evaluate their preferences. In the 2024 election, multiple leaders' debates were held, including one hosted by Sky News and The Courier-Mail People's Forum, which included 100 undecided voters selected by YouGov. These debates play a crucial role in influencing public opinion and shaping the outcome of the elections.
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South Australian elections are held in March
In Australia, federal elections are held every three years, while all states and territories have terms of four years, with a fixed election date. In South Australia, state elections are held every four years on the third Saturday in March. The last state election was held on 19 March 2022, and the next one is expected to be held in March 2026.
Section 28 of the Constitution Act 1934, as amended in 2001, directs that South Australian parliaments have fixed four-year terms, and elections must be held on the third Saturday in March every four years, unless this date falls the day after Good Friday, occurs within the same month as a federal election, or the conduct of the election could be adversely affected by a state disaster.
The Electoral (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2013 introduced set dates for writs for general elections in South Australia. The writ sets the dates for the close of the electoral roll and the close of nominations for an election. The Electoral Act 1985 requires that, for a general election, the writ be issued 28 days before the date fixed for polling, and the electoral roll be closed at 12 noon, six days after the issue of the writ.
South Australian state elections are held to elect members for the House of Assembly and half of the members in the Legislative Council. The House of Assembly is the lower house of the South Australian parliament, while the Legislative Council is the upper house. Voting in state elections is compulsory for all Australian citizens over the age of 18 who are enrolled on the electoral roll.
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Voting is compulsory for citizens over 18
In Australia, voting is compulsory for citizens aged 18 and over. This applies to federal, state, and territory elections. Each jurisdiction has its own laws and customs regarding election timing, but federal law prohibits state and territory elections from taking place within a week before or after a federal election. Federal elections in Australia are governed by the Australian Constitution and the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, which mandates that elections occur every three years. The House of Representatives has a maximum term of three years, and senators representing the states have fixed-term durations, with elections occurring within a year before the term expires.
State and territory elections in Australia are held at varying intervals, with all states and territories having terms of four years, except Tasmania, which has not changed to fixed election dates. Queensland, for example, holds elections every four years on the last Saturday in October. In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), elections for the Legislative Assembly are conducted every four years on the third Saturday in October. The ACT has jurisdiction over both territory and local matters, so separate local elections are unnecessary.
Local elections in each state and territory, except the ACT and Western Australia (WA), are generally held every four years. Victoria, for example, holds local government elections on the fourth Saturday in October every four years. In contrast, WA conducts local elections every two years on the third Saturday in October.
South Australia provides an interesting case study. State elections are held on the third Saturday in March every four years, with the most recent election occurring on March 19, 2022. Additionally, South Australia conducts whole-of-state council elections (termed "periodic elections") every four years for all 68 councils except the Municipal Council of Roxby Downs, which operates independently. These periodic council elections will next take place in November 2026.
The Australian electoral system ensures that eligible citizens over 18 actively participate in the democratic process by making voting compulsory. This compulsory voting applies to federal, state, and territory elections, each with its own unique electoral laws and timing regulations.
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Frequently asked questions
All states and territories have terms of four years, with a fixed election date.
Tasmania has not changed to fixed election dates every four years.
Federal elections are held every three years.
Local elections in Western Australia are held every two years on the third Saturday in October.
Voting is compulsory for Australian citizens aged 18 and above.
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