A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Redfern on 9 March 1886 because Arthur Renwick was appointed Minister of Public Instruction in the ministry of Sir Patrick Jennings.[1] Under the constitution, ministers in the Legislative Assembly were required to resign to recontest their seats in a by-election when appointed.[2] Such ministerial by-elections were usually uncontested and on this occasion a poll was required for Redfern and Bathurst where Francis Suttor was easily re-elected. The 7 other ministers were re-elected unopposed.[3]