The Assembly first met on 21 November 1856,[2] and consisted of sixty members representing thirty-seven multi and single-member electorates.

In 1917, the Nationalist government in Victoria introduced compulsory preferential voting before the 1917 state election.

The party or coalition with a majority of seats in the lower house is invited by the Governor to form government.

The leader of that party subsequently becomes Premier of Victoria, and their senior colleagues become ministers responsible for various portfolios.

[4] At the beginning of each new parliamentary term, the Legislative Assembly elects one of its members as a presiding officer, known as the Speaker.

The House may re-elect the incumbent speaker merely by passing a motion; otherwise, a secret ballot is held.