Mandatory Candidate Training and Information

The Victorian Government is providing training for members of the Victorian community who wish to nominate as a candidate in the council elections.

The training will help you understand the role and responsibilities of being a councillor.

You will not be able to nominate as a candidate unless you have completed the training. This is a new requirement, introduced in the Local Government Act 2020.

Click here to register for the mandatory candidate training.

For more information download this fact sheet(PDF, 855KB) or visit the Local Government Victoria website.

Advice on safe campaigning for the October local government elections has been published by Local Government Victoria.

Click here to to view Campaigning for council elections in October 2020 - Guidelines for coronavirus (COVID-19).

The guidelines will help candidates understand how to comply with the directions of the Victorian Chief Health Officer to stay safe while campaigning.

This includes advice on permitted campaign activities, safety for campaign teams, basic hygiene and physical distancing.

Local Government Victoria will continually update the guidelines with the latest directions and restrictions. It is recommended candidates check the guidelines regularly throughout campaigning.

Always refer to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for specific information on current restrictions.

In addition to the mandatory candidate training, there are a variety of optional information sessions and training opportunities for candidates.

Stand for Council - MAV

Hosted by the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), these online sessions will provide prospective candidates with information about the role and purpose of Local Government, the responsibilities and expectations of a Councillor, and the electoral process.

• Session 1: Monday 10 August from 10.00am – 12.00pm 
• Session 2: Friday 14 August from 10.00am – 12.00pm

Click here to register.

A link to the Zoom meeting will be sent to participants once registered for a session.

Women Leading Change - VLGA

Hosted by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), this free online workshop is designed for women considering running for Council and candidate development. The workshop will be delivered online via Zoom. 

When: Thursday 13 August 2020, 6.00pm to 7.30pm

Register online at https://bit.ly/CDGippsland

Candidate Information Session - Ruth McGowan

Hosted by former Baw Baw Shire Mayor Ruth McGowan, these online workshops are designed to assist participants from diverse backgrounds with information on how to plan and deliver a campaign ahead of the election.

• Session 1: Wednesday 29 July from 9.00am – 11.00pm
• Session 2: Monday 24 August from 6.30pm – 8.30pm

Register your attendance via email to governance@bawbawshire.vic.gov.au.

In addition to the mandatory training and the optional information session detailed above, all prospective candidates are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the information available at the websites below to ensure their eligibility:

• Vic Councils - Stand For Council
• Victorian Electorate Commission - Becoming a Council Election Candidate
• Local Government Victoria

Specific queries relating to elections may need to be directed to the Victorian Electoral Commission, the below links may be helpful to prospective candidates: 

• Victorian Electoral Commission website
• Becoming a local candidate
• Baw Baw Shire Council electoral profile page

The Victorian Electoral Commission 2020 candidate handbook is a one-stop shop for useful candidate information, to download the handbook go to www.vec.vic.gov.au/candidates-and-parties/candidate-forms-and-handbooks

Baw Baw Shire Council is divided into three wards, each ward represented by three Councillors. Click on the links below to download the ward maps.

• West ward(PDF, 5MB)
• Central ward(PDF, 2MB)
• East ward(PDF, 6MB)