Electoral boundaries

The electoral district boundaries in New South Wales are decided by a distribution process that ensures a similar number of electors in each district, with a 10 per cent difference in the average allowed.

Over time, voter movements and the enrolment of new voters can cause the electoral population in some districts to grow while others may decline.

This can cause a population imbalance between districts, so electoral boundaries are sometimes modified in a process called redistribution.

A redistribution is carried out:

• when the law changes the number of members of the Legislative Assembly (presently 93)

• after every second state election

• when more than a quarter of the electoral districts do not have an equal number of voters (within a margin of five per cent more or less for a period of more than two months)

• at other times as provided by law.

Redistributions are conducted by an Electoral Districts Redistribution Panel consisting of:

• a current or former Judge appointed by the Governor as the Chairperson of the Redistribution Panel

• the Electoral Commissioner

• the Surveyor-General of New South Wales.

A redistribution of electoral districts was conducted in 2021. New district boundaries are in effect for the 2023 and 2027 NSW State elections. 

You can also access interactive electoral district maps on the NSW Electoral Map Viewer in the NSW Government Spatial Collaboration Portal.

To access the maps, click on "View Application" at the top right of the Terms of Use page. Tools and tips for using this application can be found in Before you start – Electoral Map Viewer guide.

Councils divided into wards have to ensure the number of electors in each ward is approximately the same.

A review should generally occur once every term in the year after an election.

If a review is undertaken and a council needs to adjust its ward boundaries, due to a difference of more than 10 per cent in the number of electors between wards, the council must consult the NSW Electoral Commission.

A council can only divide its area into wards, or remove all wards in its area, if approval is given at a referendum. All enrolled electors in a council area must vote in a referendum and the result of the referendum is binding on the council.

Boundary changes affecting local government areas that involve amalgamation may occur by referral by the Minister of Local Government to the Local Government Boundaries Commission.