Key government dates

The caretaker period begins when the House of Representatives is dissolved by the Governor-General.

The caretaker period begins 37 days before polling day.

The caretaker period begins following the suspension of the Legislative Assembly and issuing of writs for the Territory election on 30 July, with the election taking place on 22 August.

A normal caretaker period of 25 days applies before the fixed election date. The period can last up to 65 days if the Legislative Assembly is dissolved due to a no confidence vote or blocked supply bill

The caretaker period is a convention that typically lasts a minimum of 27 days prior to the election and until a new government is formed (note the incumbent government retains lawful executive authority).

• A regular 'simultaneous' election of both houses of parliament must be held on or before 24 May 2025.
• The last election was on 21 May 2022. The Albanese Labor Government holds 77 of 151 seats in the House of Representatives.

• The caretaker period is the second half of September and the first half of October (writs must be issued a minimum of 37 days prior to the election).
• The last election was on 17 October 2020.
• The Barr Labor/Green Coalition Government holds 16 of 25 seats in the Legislative Assembly (unicameral/lower house only).

• The caretaker period is the first three weeks of March (writs must be issued within four days of “the Friday before the first Saturday in March”).
• The last election was on 25 March 2023.
• The Minns Labor Government holds 45 of 90 seats in the Legislative Assembly (lower house) and has a supply agreement with independent MPs.

• The caretaker period is the first three weeks of August, (writs must be issued 24 days prior to election).
• The last election was on 22 August 2020.
• The Fyles Labor Government holds 14 of 25 seats in the Legislative Assembly (unicameral/lower house only).

• The caretaker period is all of October (writs must be issued 26 days prior to election)
• The last election was on 31 October 2020.
• The Palaszczuk Labor Government holds 52 of 93 seats in the Legislative Assembly (unicameral/lower house only).

• The caretaker period is the end of February and the first three weeks of March (writs must be issued 28 days prior to election).
• The last election was on 17 March 2018.
• The Malinauskas Labour Government holds 27 of 47 seats in the House of Assembly (lower house).

• Must be called by 3 June 2028.
• The caretaker period is a full month prior to election day, (writs must be issued 29 days prior to election).
• The last election was on 23 March 2024.
• The Rockwell Liberal Government holds 14 of 35 seats in the expanded House of Assembly (lower house)

• The last election was on 26 November 2022.

• The caretaker period is most of February (writs to be issued on the “First Wednesday of February”).
• The last election was on 13 March 2021. The McGowan Government holds 53 of 59 seats in the Legislative Assembly (lower house).

• The caretaker period is a convention that typically lasts a minimum of 27 days prior to the election and until a new government is formed (note the incumbent government retains lawful executive authority).
• The last election was on 14 October 2023, with the Luxon National Government forming a coalition, with the number of seats in the House of Representatives (unicameral/lower house only) increasing to 123.

An early budget due to the Federal Election (which must take place by 24 May 2025)

The annual Commonwealth Budget is traditionally delivered on ‘the Second Tuesday in May,’ with a Mid Year Update (MYEFO) in December.

The 2024-25 Federal Budget was delivered on Tuesday 14 May 2024.

The ACT Budget is usually delivered in mid-late June, after the Federal Budget.

The 2023-24 ACT Budget was delivered on Tuesday 27 June 2023

The NSW Budget is usually delivered in early June, with a ‘mid-cycle update’ in December.

The 2023-24 NSW State Budget was delivered on Tuesday 19 September 2023.

The NT Budget is usually delivered in May, with a ‘mid-cycle update’ in December.

The 2023-24 NT Budget was delivered on Tuesday 9 May 2023.

The Queensland Budget is usually delivered in June, with a ‘Mid-Year Fiscal and Economic Review’ (MYFR) in December.

The 2023-24 QLD Budget was delivered on Tuesday 13 June 2023.

The South Australian Budget is usually delivered in June, with a ‘mid-year review’ in December.

The 2023-24 SA Budget was delivered on Thursday 15 June 2023.

The Tasmanian Budget is delayed - it is usually delivered in May.

The state publishes quarterly updates

The 2023-24 Tasmanian Budget was delivered on Thursday 25 May 2023.

The Victorian Budget is usually delivered in May, with a ‘mid-cycle Budget update’ in December. The 2024-25 Budget is expected to be delivered two weeks earlier than usual.

The WA Budget is usually delivered in May, with a ‘mid-year review’ in December.

The 2023-24 Budget was delivered on Thursday 11 May 2023.

The New Zealand Budget is usually delivered in May, with a Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU) in December.

The 2023-24 Budget was delivered on Thursday 18 May 2023.

Updated 8-Nov-2023. Click here to access the 2024 sitting calendar.

Updated 8-Nov-2023. Click here to access the 2024 sitting calendar

Updated 8-Nov-2023. Click here to access the 2024 sitting calendar.

Updated 8-Nov-2023. Click here to access the 2024 sitting calendar.

Updated 29-Nov-2023. Click here to access the 2024 sitting calendar

Updated 29-Nov-2023. Click here to access the 2024 sitting calendar

Updated 10-Jan-2024. Click here to access the 2024 sitting calendar

Updated 8-Nov-2023. Click here to access the 2024 sitting calendar.

Updated 8-Nov-2023. Click here to access the 2024 sitting calendar.

Updated 9-January-2024. Click here to access the 2024 sitting calendar