Council Elections and Electoral Structure Reviews

This webpage provides information about local council elections and electoral structure reviews, including how and when council elections are held, and how council ward structures and councillor numbers are determined.  It also outlines the legislative framework governing these processes and confirms when the next Council Elections will take place.

Council Elections

Victorian local council elections are held every four years to elect Councillors to represent the community and make decisions on local services, infrastructure, planning, community programs and advocacy.

The next Council Elections will be held in October 2028.

Under the legislation, general elections for all councils are scheduled on the fourth Saturday in October every four years (subject to limited circumstances where the election day may be changes by Gazette notice).

The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) administers local council elections and provides information for voters and candidates, including guidance on enrolment, voting and nominations.

Electoral Structure Reviews

An electoral structure is how council is set up for elections, such as:

  • Whether it is subdivided into wards or unsubdivided; and
  • The number of Councillors, numbers of wards, and (if warded) ward boundaries and names.

Electoral structure reviews are undertaken through Electoral Representation Advisory Panels (ERAPs) established by the Minister for Local Government.  The panel must include the Electoral Commissioner (or delegate), and the VEC provides administrative and technical support.

At the end of a review, recommendations are provided to the Minister for consideration, and any approved changes apply at the next general council elections.

Legislative Context

Local Government Act 2020
Council Elections
  • Section 257 - General elections
  • Section 326 - Regulations relating to electoral matters
Electoral Structure and Reviews
  • Section 15 - Electoral structure of a Council
  • Section 16 - Electoral structure review
  • Section 17 - Ward boundary review
Local Government (Electoral) Regulations 2020 (VIC)

These Regulations prescribe details election administration requirements, including:

  • Part 2 - Voters' rolls
  • Part 3 - General election matters
  • Part 4 - Candidates
  • Part 5 - Voting in elections

Updates and Future Information

This webpage will be updated as further information becomes available closer to the Council Elections.  It will include relevant updated provided by the Victorian Electoral Commission and the Victorian Government in relation to election processes, key dates and requirements.

This page will also be updated to reflect any information relating to potential electoral structure or ward boundary reviews that may affect Council, including outcomes of any reviews undertaken in accordance with the Local Government Act 2020.

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