The 1946 Australian federal election was held in Australia on 28 September 1946. All 74 seats in the House of Representatives and 19 of the 36 seats in the Senate were up for election. The incumbent Labor Party led by Prime Minister Ben Chifley defeated the opposition Liberal–Country coalition, led by Robert Menzies. It was the Liberal Party's first federal election since its creation. This was the first time the Labor party had won a second consecutive election. This was also the last time the Labor party would win a federal election until the 1972 election.
The election was held in conjunction with three referendum questions, one of which was carried.
Results
House of Representatives
Notes
Independent: Doris Blackburn (Bourke, Vic.) In South Australia, the Liberal Party was known as the Liberal and Country League.
Senate
Notes
Of the three senators elected on Liberal–Country joint tickets, two were Liberal Party members and one was a Country Party member.
Seats changing hands
Members listed in italics did not contest their seat at this election.