Nominate for Council

Becoming a Council Member at the City of Nedlands provides a unique opportunity for you to be part of the decision-making process that creates a lasting impact for your community.

Councillors play a vital role in leading the community by representing the interests of residents and ratepayers, advocating for community needs, and providing strategic leadership through good governance.

If you are an eligible elector and want to make a difference in your community and have a say in local decision-making, why not consider becoming a candidate in the next election?

If you've been thinking about leading your community, now is your chance. You might be more ready than you think.

Nomination Requirements

To be eligible to nominate as a candidate you must be:

  • 18 years of age or older
  • An Australian citizen or a British subject prior to 26 January 1984
  • An elector of the district. Unsure about your enrolment status? Check your enrolment online.

You cannot run for Council if you are / were:

  • An MP or a member of another Council
  • Financially insolvent
  • Currently serving a prison sentence
  • Convicted of a serious local government offence in the past five years
  • Convicted of an offence with an indictable penalty of over five years' imprisonment
  • Found liable for misusing local government funds/property in the last five years.

Nomination Process

If you're considering nominating as a candidate for the March 2026 election, you will be need to do the following:

  1. Complete the mandatory online Local Government Candidate Induction Course prior to nominating.
  2. Complete the nomination form and candidate profile. It is recommended that candidates use the Western Australian Electoral Commission’s Nomination Builder to complete the nomination form and candidate profile.
  3. Provide a recent passport sized photograph.
  4. Provide a written statement in English of up to 2,000 characters (including spaces) containing additional information to support your nomination. This will be published on the City's website.
  5. Pay a nomination deposit of $100.
  6. Lodge your nomination with the Returning Officer by the close of nominations on Thursday 12 February, 4pm.

Optional:

  • Attend the candidate information session on Wednesday 5 February, 5pm.
  • Review the City’s policies, plans, meeting minutes and reports.
  • Attend a council or committee meeting.

Key Dates

  • January 2026: The WA Electoral Commission and the City of Nedlands will call for nominations in the March 2026 election.
  • Thursday, 5 February 2026: Nominations open.
  • Thursday, 12 February 2026: Nominations close, 4pm.
  • Thursday, 26 February 2026: Lodgement of election packages with Australia Post.
  • Saturday, 28 March 2026: Election Day. Polls close at 6pm.
The Commissioners will host a Candidate Information Session on Thursday, 5 February 2026, at 5pm. Click here for more information and to RSVP.

FAQs

Prior to nominating, all candidates must complete the online candidate induction course published by the Department of Local Government, Industry, Regulation and Safety.

More information on how to nominate can be found here:

For further details about how you nominate, please review the information provided in the Nomination Process section above.

In accordance with section 2.10 of the Local Government Act 1995, the role of a Council Members is to:

  • Represent the interests of electors, ratepayers and residents of the district.
  • Provide leadership and guidance to the community in the district.
  • Facilitate communication between the community and the Council.
  • Participate in the City’s decision-making process.
  • Perform such other functions as prescribed in the Act or any other written law.

Along with the Act and Regulations, the City of Nedlands' Governance framework, Council Plan (2023-2033) and other strategic documents provide the framework that Council Members operate within and from where they derive specific details of their roles and responsibilities. 

Please also refer to the Code of Conduct for Council Members, Committee Members and Candidates.

In accordance with section 2.8 of the Local Government Act 1995, the role of the Mayor is to:

  • Preside at meetings in accordance with the LGA.
  • Provide leadership and guidance to the community in the district.
  • Carry out civic and ceremonial duties on behalf of the City.
  • Speak on behalf of the City.
  • Perform such other functions in accordance with the LGA Act or any other written law.
  • Liaise with the CEO on the City’s affairs and the performance of its functions.

The Mayoral roles and responsibilities are guided by the Local Government Act and Regulations, along with the City of Nedlands' Governance framework, Council Plan (2023-2033) and other strategic documents. 

Please also refer to the Code of Conduct for Council Members, Committee Members and Candidates.

The Local Government Act requires that election material be authorised.

Electoral Material is defined as:

"Any advertisement, handbill, pamphlet, notice, letter or article that is intended or calculated to affect the result of an election but does not include an advertisement in a newspaper announcing the holding of a meeting."

The requirements relating to the authorisation of election material, including printed materials and social media, can be found here:

An election sign is signage advertising any aspect of a forthcoming election, and may include promoting a registered candidate or political party.

For more information, see our Election Signage page.

Elections signs do not require planning approval.

The City of Nedlands may require the removal of a sign on private property if it poses a health or safety hazard.

For more info, go to our Election Signage page.

 

Useful resources

As part of preparing for the WA Local Government Elections held in October 2025, an Election Candidate Information webinar was held in August 2025.

The webinar was hosted by WALGA in partnership with the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety and the WA Electoral Commission. Presenters included:

  • The Hon. Hannah Beazley MLA – Minister for Local Government
  • WALGA President Karen Chappel AM JP
  • Acting Electoral Commissioner Dennis O’Reilly.

The session may be a valuable reference for anyone considering nominating for Mayor or Councillor in the City of Nedlands special election.

Watch the Webinar

DLGSC Local Government Elections

DLGSC Election Campaigning

DLGSC Local Government News

Western Australian Electoral Commission