Federal elections must be held at least once in every three years on a date determined by the Governor General, upon request by the government. Typically, this involves the election of all House of Representatives members as well as half of the Senate. The AEC has no role in determining the date of an election, or the broader election period timetable, but rather conducts events according to the d

A writ is a document commanding an electoral officer to hold an election, and contains dates for the close of rolls, the close of nominations, the polling day and the return of the writ. The Governor-General issues the writs for House of Representatives elections and the State Governors issue writs for States' Senate elections.