One day in November
10 November 2026
State election information
Traditionally, the last Saturday in September is for the AFL Grand Final, more recently the last Saturday in November has become home to Victoria’s state election.
Prior to 2006 Premiers could call an election whenever they wanted within the last year of their maximum four-year term.
However, a Constitution Commission recommended fixed concurrent terms of four years for both houses of parliament in a report released in July 2002.
The Bracks Government responded and introduced reforms to the Electoral Act via the Constitution (Parliamentary Reform) Bill in 2003.
The changes tied Legislative Council terms to those of the Legislative Assembly and specified elections must be held on the last Saturday in November.
“ ‘The Premier of the day will no longer be able to nominate the date of the election and any advantage to the government in choosing the timing of an election is diminished.’ ”
Premier Steve Bracks’ second reading speech, 27 February 2003
But why did Victoria move to lock in the last Saturday of November? It’s likely due to these main reasons.
The last state election before the fixed four-year terms came into force was held on Saturday the 30th of November 2002.
It just made sense the last Saturday in November would be stipulated in changes to the Electoral Act, in line with the long-standing requirement elections must be held on weekends.
It also meant the first state election under the new laws was held on the 25th of November 2006, which was the 150th anniversary of the official opening of the first Victorian Parliament on the 25th of November 1856.
Coincidence or not, the path to fixed four-year terms wasn’t a clear or simple one.
From 1984 to 2003, governments could call an election between a minimum of three years and maximum of four years.
Simultaneous elections for both houses of parliament only became the norm from 1961, however just half of the Legislative Council seats were up for election each term, meaning MLCs would sit for two terms of the Legislative Assembly, like how the Federal Senate still operates in 2026.
Compulsory weekend elections stretch back to 1923.
So just as the Olympics is held every four years so too are Victoria’s state elections.
The next is set for Saturday the 28th of November 2026 and you can learn about it online.
All Australian states and territories have fixed four-year electoral terms, except Tasmania.
Our Parliamentary Library further explored our electoral history in a 2022 paper.