Victorian council elections are held every four years and give people an opportunity to influence the change they would like to see in their communities by standing for council.

On 24 October this year, Victorians will have the opportunity to elect councillors who they think best represent, at the local level, their vision and interests for a better, stronger and more sustainable future.

The COVID-19 restrictions means campaigning for community support will be quite different this year. However, your right to nominate as a candidate and the right of citizens to vote for a candidate that best represents them is a cornerstone of our democracy. Local government, as the tier of government closest to the community, is where democracy starts. As a councillor, you are the link between council and community. We understand the significant challenges posed by coronavirus may cause a lot of people rethink their capacity for community service this year, including nominating for council. The statistics tell us that this is particularly true for women and people from diverse backgrounds. But now, more than ever we need committed, motivated and passionate people that reflect the diversity of our communities to stand for council. Local leadership is vital to drive the recovery of local communities and economies.

How to stand for council – and how this year will be different

Potential candidates must undertake Mandatory Candidate Training sessions run by the State Government.

Under new requirements included in the Local Government Act 2020, candidates must complete the course to be eligible to nominate with the Victorian Electoral Commission. This includes all serving or former councillors intending to nominate. The online course will take around an hour to complete and ensure candidates fully understand the role of councillor and its requirements.

Local Government Victoria have also made FAQs, posters and images available for download (ZIP - 6.8MB).

A link to the Mandatory Candidate Training module will be available on every council website. Please contact your council for further information.

Local Government Victoria (LGV) has also updated the Safe Campaign Guidelines - August 2020 (PDF - 275KB) which provide advice on safe campaigning for the October local government elections. The Guidelines will help candidates understand how to comply with the directions of the Victorian Chief Health Officer to stay safe while campaigning. This includes advice on permitted campaign activities, safety for campaign teams, basic hygiene and physical distancing. LGV will continually update these guidelines with the latest directions and restrictions. We recommended candidates check the guidelines regularly throughout campaigning.

For more information on becoming a councillor contact us at standforcouncil@mav.asn.au.

Postal voting will be used for the elections, longer candidate statements will be allowed in the Victorian Electoral Commission. Voter Information packs and guidance will be available on suitable and safe campaigning methods.

Despite the challenges imposed by COVID-19, the MAV is working closely with councils and the state to ensure the elections remain fair and safe.