| Country: | South Australia |
| Type: | parliamentary |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Election Date: | 10 December 1938 |
| Vote Type: | Popular |
| Image1: | Sydney McHugh.jpg |
| Candidate1: | Sydney McHugh |
| Party1: | Australian Labor Party |
| Popular Vote1: | 18,870 |
| Percentage1: | 37.9% |
| Swing1: | 1.3pp |
| Candidate2: | Richard L. Butler |
| Party2: | United Australia Party |
| Popular Vote2: | 19,591 |
| Percentage2: | 39.3% |
| Swing2: | 24.1pp |
| MP | |
| Before Election: | Charles Hawker |
| Before Party: | United Australia Party |
| After Election: | Sydney McHugh |
| After Party: | Australian Labor Party |
| Election Name: | 1938 Wakefield by-election |
| 1Data2: | 43.3% |
| 2Blank: | TPP swing |
| 2Data1: | 20.1pp |
| 2Data2: | 20.1pp |
| 1Data1: | 56.7% |
| 1Blank: | TPP |
| Candidate3: | Percy Quirke |
| Party3: | Independent |
| Popular Vote3: | 11,343 |
| Percentage3: | 22.8% |
| Swing3: | 22.8pp |
| Colour3: | 888888 |
A by-election was held for the Australian House of Representatives seat of Wakefield on 10 December 1938. This was triggered by the death of United Australia MP Charles Hawker.
The election was won by Labor candidate Sydney McHugh from a massive 20 percent two-party swing.