State Election 2026

The Department of Premier and Cabinet has released Guidelines on the Caretaker Conventions-Guidance on handling government business in the lead up to and during the 2026 State election period.

The ‘Caretaker period’ is the period of time preceding the State election when the government assumes a caretaker role as the business of government continues and ordinary matters of administration still need to be addressed.

The Caretaker period spans the time the Legislative Assembly expires until the election result is clear or a new government is commissioned.

The Caretaker period for the 2026 Victorian election will commence at 6.00pm on Tuesday 3 November, unless the Legislative Assembly is dissolved before this date.

See Guidelines on the Caretaker Conventions for more information.