New South Wales is divided into 93 State electoral districts.

A member of the Legislative Assembly represents electors in a particular district.

The electoral district boundaries are determined by a redistribution process which provides for an approximate equal number of electors in each electoral district.

In determining whether a district has an approximate equal number of electors, legislation makes the following allowances:

• 10% of the average enrolment based on the actual enrolment at the time of commencement of the redistribution
• 3% of the average enrolment at the relevant future time for example four years from the day of the return of Writs for choosing the Legislative Assembly that exists at the time of the distribution.

A redistribution is carried out:

• when the law changes the number of members of the Legislative Assembly (presently 93) or
• after every second general election or
• when more than a quarter of the electoral districts do not have an equal number of voters (within a margin of 5% more or less for a period of more than two months), unless the distribution would commence within one year before the expiry of the Legislative Assembly, or unless a distribution has already been made since the last general election, or unless a distribution is required anyway or
• at other times as provided by law.

Redistributions are conducted by three Electoral District Commissioners who are appointed by the Governor.

• One of the Commissioners must be, or have been, a Judge of the Supreme Court, and
• One of the Commissioners must be the person who for the time being holds the office of Electoral Commissioner, and
• One of the Commissioners must be the person holding office or acting as the Surveyor-General. 

The Commissioners must obtain and consider advice of a recognised demographer before determining the boundaries.

The Commissioners must also consider:

• the community of interest within the electoral district, including economic, social and regional interests
• the means of communication and travel within the electoral district
• the physical features and area of the electoral district
• mountain and other natural boundaries
• the boundaries of the existing electoral districts.

The redistribution is a legal process conducted in a transparent public environment. It includes:

• inviting the public and interested organisations to make suggestions for changes to the electoral district boundaries and names
• a period for interested people and organisations to comment on any suggestions
• the Commissioners prepare proposed district boundaries and names and release them for comment
• a period during which suggestions and objections may be made regarding the Commissioners’ proposed boundaries and names
• further consideration by the Commissioners of the suggestions and objections (which may include public hearings)
• Commissioners determine the district boundaries and names.

Boundaries must be published in the Government Gazette.

There is no appeal against the Commissioners’ determinations.

The new boundaries come into effect at the next State election held after the redistribution.