It was conducted in single member constituencies with compulsory preferential voting and was held on boundaries created at a 1940 redistribution.

However, in New South Wales the state Liberals had lost their two most experienced and capable leaders, Reginald Weaver who had died in November 1945 and Alexander Mair who had resigned from parliament to unsuccessfully contest a NSW senate seat at the 1946 federal election.

In February 1947, 3 months before the election was due, McKell stunned most people in the Labor Party and general community by announcing that he would resign to take up the position of Governor-General.

However, revealing the residual influence of Lang, the caucus chose his preferred candidate, the Housing Minister, James McGirr.

McGirr, Treatt and Country Party Leader Michael Bruxner retained their leadership roles throughout the parliament.