This is a list of candidates of the 1978 New South Wales state election. The election was held on 7 October 1978.

Note: Tom Lewis MLA (Liberal, Wollondilly), George Neilly MLA (Labor, Cessnock) and Bruce Webster MLA (Liberal, Pittwater) all resigned some months prior to the election, but avoiding by-elections for their seats was one of the pretexts for the early election.

• William Coulter MLC
• Walter Geraghty MLC
• Edna Roper MLC
• Amelia Rygate MLC
• Leroy Serisier MLC
• Norman Thom MLC

• Douglas Darby MLA (Manly)
• Keith Doyle MLA (Vaucluse)
• Ian Griffith MLA (Cronulla)
• Gordon Mackie MLA (Albury)
• Thomas Erskine MLC
• Stanley Eskell MLC
• Dick Evans MLC
• Ted Humphries MLC
• Thomas McKay MLC
• Anne Press MLC
• Bob Scott MLC
• Sir Edward Warren MLC

• Sir Harry Budd MLC
• Otway Falkiner MLC
• Sir John Fuller MLC
• Sir Asher Joel MLC
• Geoffrey Keighley MLC
• Richmond Manyweathers MLC
• Ronald Raines MLC

Sitting members are shown in bold text. Successful candidates are highlighted in the relevant colour. Where there is possible confusion, an asterisk (*) is also used.

Sitting members are shown in bold text. Tickets that elected at least one MLC are highlighted in the relevant colour. Successful candidates are identified by an asterisk (*).

• Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, 1978–1981
• Members of the New South Wales Legislative Council, 1978–1981

• Green, Antony. "1978 Election candidate index". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. New South Wales Parliament.
• Parliament of New South Wales. Parliamentary Papers (1981–82).