[1][2][3][4] Elections for the twelfth Legislative Assembly were held between 16 and 31 October 1885 with parliament first meeting on 17 November 1885.
The parliament had a maximum term of 3 years but was dissolved on 26 January 1886 after 14 months.
There was no party system in New South Wales politics until 1887.
Under the constitution, ministers were required to resign to recontest their seats in a by-election when appointed.
These by-elections are only noted when the minister was defeated; in general, he was elected unopposed.