A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Northern Tablelands on 23 May 1987. The by-election was triggered by the resignation due to ill health of sitting Labor party member, Bill McCarthy, who died 3 days later. McCathy's widow Thelma was the Labor candidate at the by-election.
<includeonly> Labor party member, Bill McCarthy resigned due to ill health, dying 3 days later.</includeonly>