Candidate Information
The next Local Government election is taking place on Saturday 26 October 2024. Find out how you can stand for election to the Greater Shepparton City Council and make an impact in your community.
Councils are the closest level of government to the community. To represent their communities successfully, they need great quality candidates to put their hand up for election.
What you need to know
To be a candidate for a local council election, you must:
- be an Australian citizen
- be aged 18 years of age
- be enrolled on the voters' roll for the council in which you wish to stand
- have completed the mandatory Local Government Candidate Training
- not be disqualified from being a Councillor
If the council has wards, you can be a candidate for any ward in the council.
What you need to do
The Victorian Government provides compulsory Local Government Candidate Training for all Victorians who wish to nominate as a candidate in any council elections. The training will help you understand the role and responsibilities of being a Councillor. Under the Local Government Act 2020 you will not be able to nominate as a candidate unless you have completed the training.
Key dates for Candidates
- Nominations open at 9am Monday 9 September 2024.
- Nominations close at 12 noon Tuesday 17 September 2024.
- Candidate statements and photographs, and the candidate questionnaires, are due by 12 noon Tuesday 17 September 2024.
- Election day is Saturday 26 October 2024
- Results will be declared on, or prior to, Friday 15 November 2024.
Questions from Candidates
In accordance with Council's Election Period Policy, Council will record any information provided to a Candidate and make that same information available to all candidates.
To facilitate this process, Candidates will be asked to submit all questions or requests for information to electionenquiries@shepparton.vic.gov.au
You will be able to view Candidate questions and responses here as they are received and addressed.
Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC)
The VEC can provide candidates with information relating to the election process and eligibility requirements.
The VEC website will feature comprehensive information about local government elections generally, as well as specific information about each local council’s election.
Content will be updated at each phase of the election cycle including information about enrolment, nominating for election, early and postal voting, redirection of ballot packs (postal), replacement of ballot packs (postal), details of how and when to vote, the close of voting and election results.
VEC Election Office
The VEC election office will be located at the Shepparton Senior Citizens Centre, 132 Welsford Street, Shepparton.
The election office will open to the public on Monday 9 September 2024 and close on Friday 25 October 2024. Opening hours will be Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
The office will be open late on two nights, being 9am to 8pm on Thursday 24 October and Friday 25 October 2024.
Council induction schedule
If successful in the 2024 Council Election, incoming Councillors will participate in sessions as part of their induction. The below schedule outlines time commitments for the induction program. These dates and times as subject to change and are updated regularly.
Information Sessions
Council-run information sessions
Greater Shepparton City Council is hosting several information sessions in the lead up to the 2024 Local Government elections. Council is hosting three Candidate and Voter Information Sessions.
These sessions will give you great insight into what being a Councillor might look like, including time commitments, responsibilities and general requirements under the Local Government Act 2020.
The sessions will also provide information to voters on the new ward structure for Greater Shepparton and what residents need to know ahead of the election.
Details on these sessions are included below. Note: Some sessions have passed and been removed from the list. Please register using the links below. Please note, while registrations are encouraged, walk-ins on the day will also be welcome.
- Women Candidate Information Session
This information session encourages attendance from women who are considering standing for Council. The presentation will provide a general overview of the role of a Councillor, in addition to exploring perceived barriers and the flexibility available to support all Councillors.
Attendees will hear from guest speaker, Member for Shepparton and former Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor and Councillor, Kim O’Keeffe MP.
Shepparton Art Museum (SAM), Multifunction Room, Level 4
Thursday 25 July 2024
12.30pm – 1.30pm
Light lunch to be provided.
Register for the Women's session - Shepparton Candidate and Voter Information Session
Council Boardroom, Greater Shepparton City Council, 90 Welsford Street, Shepparton
Monday 26 August 2024
5:30pm – 6:30pm
Register for the Shepparton session
Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) Information Session
The VEC will be hosting an information session in Shepparton in the lead up to the elections. Candidates in the Council Election are strongly encouraged to attend this session to receive important information in regards to the Council Election.
- VEC Information Session
Election Office, 132 Welsford Street, Shepparton
Thursday 5 September 2024
6:30pm – 7:30pm
Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) Candidate Information Sessions
The MAV will be hosting several in-person and online Candidate Information Sessions across Victoria. To find out more and to register for one of these sessions, visit the MAV's Stand for Council page.
Links and resources
Find out more about how local government works, the election process, and upcoming information sessions on the MAV's Stand for Council page.
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Interested in becoming a candidate – what do I need to do? These frequently asked questions cover everything from nominations, eligibility and the election itself.
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All local government candidates are required to complete mandatory training to be eligible to nominate.
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Candidates must submit a campaign donation return to the CEO within 40 days of election day. The VEC will provide further information on this process.
Additional information is available from the following resources:
- Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC)
Mandatory training is available for all Victorians who wish to nominate as a candidate in any council elections. - Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA)
The VLGA offers information sessions and supporting resources in the lead up to each General Election, including a toolkit which supports candidates in running a successful campaign.- VLGA Local Women Leading Change 2024 Handbook
The campaign toolkit is a resource designed to equip you with the tools that you need when considering running in local government elections.
- VLGA Local Women Leading Change 2024 Handbook
- Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV)
The MAV offers a series of professional development training for councillors and officers. Our training workshops and professional development pathways provide councillors with an enhanced understanding of their obligations, roles and responsibilities through skill enhancement and professional development pathways. - Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) Victorian Branch
ALGWA aims to encourage women to participate in local government or make a career in local government. They can assist in furthering knowledge and understanding of the function of local government and to act in an advisory capacity to intending women candidates for local government election. - Pathways to Politics for Women
Comprehensive political training program (fully funded). - Women for Election Australia
EQUIP candidate training sessions that aim to equip and up-skill women to run as a candidates for the upcoming local government elections.