Elections for the Legislative Council are known as periodic Council elections.

The Constitution Act 1902 provides that the Legislative Council shall consist of 42 members elected to serve a maximum of two terms (8 years) of the parliament. The Legislative Council is constituted so that at each State election (every 4 years) half of the 42 members have served their two terms of parliament and must retire or stand for re-election. The Legislative Council has 21 members serving their first of two terms and 21 members serving their second and final term in parliament.

The Constitution Act 1902 provides that the date of a periodic Council election shall be the same as that for the general election of Members of the Legislative Assembly.

The Members of the Legislative Council represent the whole of New South Wales. Electors can vote for all the candidates they wish to represent them in the Council.

The Parliament of NSW website lists the Current Members of the Legislative Council.