Becoming a Councillor

If you are passionate about what happens in your local community becoming a councillor is an exciting opportunity to make a difference and to represent the interests of residents. The communities served by councils are diverse, and this should be reflected in the people elected. However, across NSW some community groups are under-represented. For example:

• 31 per cent of councillors are women (approximately half of the population is women)
• the most common age group of councillors is 60-69 years, followed by 50-59 years (the median age of the population is approximately 38)
• 2 per cent of all councillors identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (2.9 per cent of the NSW population is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander)
• the first language spoken at home by most councillors is English (26 per cent of the NSW population speaks a language other than English at home)
• 3 per cent of all councillors identified as having a disability (5 per cent of the NSW population have identified a need for assistance with self-care, mobility and/or communication).

The Office of Local Government provides workshops and resources for newly elected and returning councillors. We have developed a range of resources aimed at increasing the representation of our diverse communities.

If you would like further information about becoming a councillor, you may wish to talk to an existing councillor in your local area or contact the Office of Local Government – olg@olg.nsw.gov.au – or phone 02 4428 4100.

For more information about registration, nomination, election campaign finances, voting and other election processes, as well as important dates and deadlines, go to the NSW Electoral Commission website at www.elections.nsw.gov.au

Stand for Your Community – Candidate Guide

A series of online candidate information sessions will be conducted by the NSW Electoral Commission (NSWEC) in the lead up to the 2021 NSW Local Government elections.

• Election overview
• Election funding and disclosure
• Registration of candidates, groups, and third-party campaigners
• Electoral material (also known as how-to-vote material)
• Nomination process
• Early voting and election day voting
• Candidate workers and scrutineers
• Counting and results

Links

Information for Candidates

Promoting Diversity in Local Government

Women in Local Government – Stand for Your Community