Malcolm Turnbull's hopes of holding 77 seats hang in the balance as counting continues in the final seat of Herbert.
As the prime minister spends the weekend reshuffling his ministry ahead of an announcement on Monday, Liberal National Party scrutineers are hopeful of a slender win in Herbert.
On Friday afternoon, coalition MP Ewen Jones was seven votes ahead of his Labor rival Cathy O'Toole.
But LNP scrutineers were seeking a recount of around 19,000 pre-poll votes cast at the two main centres in the seat due to a number of anomalies during the count.
Counting was expected to continue on Saturday.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
If the coalition can retain Herbert, it will allow the government to maintain an absolute majority in the lower house while also re-electing Liberal MP Tony Smith as Speaker.
An absolute majority is needed to pass constitution-altering bills and the suspension of standing or sessional orders without notice.
Mr Turnbull will announce some modest changes to the ministry lineup on Monday after meeting with coalition MPs in Canberra.
The Nationals are expected to get an extra cabinet post and outer ministry role, while at least two frontbench roles will need filling due to Liberal MPs losing their seats.
