Candidate information
Becoming a Councillor is a great opportunity to represent your community and take an active role in shaping the health, wellbeing, culture, environment, biodiversity and economic success of our municipality.
Eligibility
All candidates must be qualified to nominate.
To qualify, you must be:
- 18 years or older
- an Australian citizen
- eligible to vote in Swan Hill Rural City as a state-enrolled or council-enrolled voter.
Find out how to enrol as a council-enrolled voter.
There is a list of circumstances that disqualify a candidate from nominating.
For more information, visit Victorian Electoral Commission website.
MAV Citizen to Councillor Guide
MAV Citizen to Councillor Guide 2024
The MAV Citizen to Councillor Guide is a comprehensive resource to becoming a local government councillor in Victoria.
From understanding the role of a councillor to navigating the election campaign, the Guide covers every aspect of becoming a local government representative, ensuring you are well-prepared for the challenges and rewards of public office.
Divided into six sections, the guide enables the reader to delve into the entire content or focus on specific information as the need arises. Beginning with an introductory overview, topics include the roles and responsibilities of local government, how councils work including the legislative framework, the intricacies of being a councillor, council elections and candidate requirements.
Whether you are a first-time candidate in the upcoming council elections, looking to return to role of councillor or a community member with an interest in local democracy, this guide is designed to assist.
Compulsory Local Government Candidate Training
All candidates must complete Local Government Victoria’s mandatory training before they submit their nomination form.
For more information, visit Local Government Victoria website.
How to nominate
All potential candidates must apply through the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC). Find out about becoming a local council candidate from the Victorian Electoral Commission.