This is a list of candidates for the 1856 New South Wales colonial election. The election was held from 11 March to 19 April 1856.
There was no recognisable party structure at this election. This was the first election after the introduction of self-government to the colony.
Successful candidates are highlighted.
Electorates are arranged chronologically from the day the poll was held.
| Electorate | Successful candidates | Unsuccessful candidates | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 11 March 1856 | ||||
| Richard Driver Merion Moriarty | ||||
| Thursday 13 March 1856 | ||||
| Thomas Duigan John Plunkett | ||||
| Friday 28 March 1856 | ||||
| Elias Weekes | ||||
| Saturday 29 March 1856 | ||||
| John Plunkett | ||||
| James Byrnes Andrew Murray | ||||
| James Byrnes | ||||
| Monday 31 March 1856 | ||||
| John Chisholm Columbus Fitzpatrick | ||||
| James Bligh | ||||
| Charles Jenkins George Pickering James Shoobert David Waugh | ||||
| Friday 4 April 1856 | ||||
| John Arkins | ||||
| Robert Fitzgerald Patrick Hogan William Sherwin | ||||
| Saturday 5 April 1856 | ||||
| Monday 7 April 1856 | ||||
| Andrew Lang Alexander Park | ||||
| Isaac Shepherd | ||||
| Frederick Forbes Arthur Macalister | ||||
| Tuesday 8 April 1856 | ||||
| William Redman Ralph Robey Robert Ross | ||||
| William Cummings William Suttor | ||||
| Wednesday 9 April 1856 | ||||
| Ryan Brenan William Russell | ||||
| William Dorsey | ||||
| Thursday 10 April 1856 | ||||
| Joseph Andrews James Williamson | ||||
| William Roberts Richard Sadleir | ||||
| Saul Samuel | ||||
| Friday 11 April 1856 | ||||
| Joseph Docker | ||||
| Tuesday 15 April 1856 | ||||
| Colin McKenzie | ||||
| Wednesday 16 April 1856 | ||||
| Augustus Morris | ||||
| William Buchanan | ||||
| Thursday 17 April 1856 | ||||
| John Dickson | ||||
| George Bowman Henry Douglass Walter Rotton | ||||
| Saturday 19 April 1856 | ||||
| John Hardy D H Thorn | ||||