Why do we have federal elections every three years?

Graphic of a blue rectangle being dropped into a larger blue box. This is repeated multiple times.

Ballot box graphic

Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)

Ballot box graphic

Graphic of a blue rectangle being dropped into a larger blue box. This is repeated multiple times.

Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)

Description

This graphic is a representation of a ballots being placed into a ballot boxes.

Great question!

In Australia federal elections are held at least every 3 years, or earlier if requested by the Prime Minister and approved by the Governor-General.

Section 28 of the Australian Consitution says that each House of Representatives convened after a federal election will continue for 3 years from the date of the first meeting but not any longer.