How long do parliament sittings go for?

A woman in a grey jacket is standing at a desk in a red room. She is speaking. Other women sit on benches around her, listening to her speak.

A senator speaking in the Senate.

DPS Auspic

A senator speaking in the Senate.

A woman in a grey jacket is standing at a desk in a red room. She is speaking. Other women sit on benches around her, listening to her speak.

DPS Auspic

Description

A senator speaking in the Senate.

Permission should be sought from DPS AUSPIC for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact DPS AUSPIC email: auspic@aph.gov.au or phone: 02 6277 3342.

Hi Barbara! When senators and members of the House of Representatives meet in Parliament House, the sittings last for an average of 11 hours a day. Sometimes daily sittings go for much longer, with senators and members meeting long into the night!

Before the beginning of each year and after a federal election, a sitting calendar is distributed to let everyone know when Parliament will be sitting. There are on average 18 to 20 sitting weeks a year. Sittings are usually held Monday to Thursday in 1 or 2 week blocks.

Each parliament is the length of a House of Representatives term, which is 3 years or earlier if an election is called.