How often do elections occur to Australia?

Answer 1

In Queensland, state elections are held every three years.

In addition, Federal elections are held approximately every three years, with several months variance, while local government elections also occur every three years.

Answer 2

According to Australian law, a sitting of the House of Representatives - the lower house of the federal Parliament - must be dissolved no later than three years after the date its members meet for the first time. Once the House has been dissolved, no more than 140 days may pass before its members meet again. Dissolution automatically triggers an election for all 150 members of the House, which in turn must be held on a Saturday within the next 68 days. As such, a federal election must take place in Australia at least every 3 years and 62 - 68 days (depending on the calendar).

Traditionally, a federal election is held approximately one month after dissolution. It is worth noting that it is possible for a federal election to be held in the fourth calendar year after the previous election, as they are traditionally held between September and December. For example, the next election must be held by November 30, 2013. If it is held on or after November 2 of that year, then the election after it does not need to be held until the fourth calendar year, 2017.

Theoretically, the minimum period between elections - assuming the House convenes the day after the last federal election and is dissolved again that same day - the minimum period of time between federal elections is 35 days, as a federal election cannot be held any earlier than 34 days after a dissolution.

Whilst premature elections were once common (to the point where 14 of the 20 federal elections held after the end of the Second World War were held only 2 or 1 years after the previous election), starting with the 1984 poll, all federal elections have been held in the third calendar year after the previous election. However, only once in Australian history, in 1910, has a House lasted for a full three years - the other 42 of Australia's 43 Parliaments have had their House dissolved before the three year mark. The 1910 election was held 3 years and 112 days after the preceding 1906 election. Due to changes in electoral law since, this will always be the longest gap between elections in Australian history.

Answer 3

every 3 years

Answer 4

13