Australian parliament, federal election and forming government

The 2019 Australian federal election is just around the corner when we will elect members of the 46th Parliament of Australia. In this year's federal election, Australians will elect 151 M-Ps to the House of Representatives. So how do elections determine our next government?

Parliament House in Canberra. Source: Getty

On May 18th, Australians will choose 151 MPs to represent them in the Lower House - the House of Representatives.

The Coalition currently holds 74 seats and Labor 69, but a redrawing of the electoral boundaries means the Coalition starts with a notional 73 seats and Labor 72. 

On polling day, voters receive two ballot papers with House of Representatives voting on the green ballot paper and Senate voting on the larger white ballot paper.