Nominating

Electors interested in leading their community and who wish to participate in the City of Armadale’s Council decision making process may have aspirations to become a councillor.

The role of councillor is a rewarding one, but candidates should be aware of the responsibility and commitment required to best represent the community that elected them. 

Councillors are elected for four year terms and may nominate for any ward regardless if they live or own property in that ward.

Local government elections are held on the third Saturday in October every two years with the next election to be held on 18 October 2025.

To be eligible to be a councillor you need to be either:

1. A resident within Armadale (your normal place of residence is within the Armadale district) and you appear on the State electoral roll as an elector (i.e. enrolled to vote at elections)  OR
2. A non-resident or occupier provided:

• You are on the State or Commonwealth electoral rolls for your normal place of residence outside the Armadale district
• You genuinely own or occupy rateable property in Armadale (e.g. commercial premises by way of legal instrument like a lease for a minimum three month term)
• You have made a successful eligibility claim form (see enrolment eligibility form links at the top left of this page) with the City’s rates department that is still current

You must satisfy either of the above requirements (1 or 2) and also not be disqualified from being a councillor e.g. a member of parliament, insolvency, convictions, membership of another council, misapplication of funds/property and several others.

Detailed information on eligibility to become a councillor and the online nomination builder are available on the Western Australian Electoral Commission's website.

The period in which nominations can be accepted is between the 28th August 2025 and 4th September 2025.

Nominations are received by the Returning Officer and occur at the City of Armadale's Administration Centre, 7 Orchard Avenue, Armadale and must be received and accepted no later than 4pm at the close of nominations.

Prior to nominating candidates must:

• Complete Induction for Prospective Candidates training available from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries website;
• Contact the Returning Officer (Usually commences September during an election year);
• Complete a nomination form (see related document below); and
• Complete their nomination profile on the Western Australian Electoral Commission website

In 2019 the State Government introduced mandatory training for people interested in nominating to become a councillor. Prospective candidates will need to ensure that they have completed the update training - Induction of Prospective Candidates prior to nominating.

This training covers the following areas:

• About government in Australia
• A closer look at local government
• Local government decision making process
• The role of a councillor
• Relationship between councillors and staff
• What you will need to do as a councillor
• Decisions you might make as a councillor
• Qualities and skills of effective councillors
• Other things that are helpful to know
• Advice from the WA Electoral Commission
• Why stand for council?
• What should you do now?
• Support for candidates

The Induction for Prospective Candidates training is available online from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries website.

The election period commences once calling for nominations (the writ) has been issued. This usually occurs late August and is the official commencement of the election period.

During the election period, potential nominees/candidates must ensure they adhere to s.4.87 and 4.88 of the Local Government Act 1995 (The LG Act) when printing, publishing or distributing election material.

Until the election period has commenced, potential candidates are unable to advertise they are a candidate until their nomination has been approved by the Returning Officer however they can promote they intend to nominate to be a candidate.

With social media now a major part of many election campaigns, the Western Australian Electoral Commission has released standards to guide candidates. 

These standards define any material 'that is intended, calculated or likely to affect voting in an election' is required to be authorised.

The requirements relating to the authorisation of election material apply irrespective of who is publishing the material and whether it is in printed or electronic form. Any electoral advertisement, handbill, pamphlet or electoral notice (other than an advertisement in a newspaper announcing the holding of a meeting), letter or article must have at the end of it, the name and physical street address (not a PO Box number) of the person authorising it. If the material is printed in hard copy, then it must also include the name and place of business of the printer at the foot of the material. This applies unless the advertisement is in a newspaper (in which case the printer is obvious and contactable).

If election material is produced and printed by the one person (e.g. using a home computer and printer), then the legislative provisions are satisfied by adding ‘Authorised and printed by (name), (address)’ at the end of it.

Certain small items of a candidate or party promotional nature are exempt from the requirement to carry the authorisation and addresses. These include:

• T-shirts, lapel buttons, lapel badges, pens, pencils or balloons
• Business or visiting cards that promote the candidacy of any person in an election

Any advertising on the Internet (e.g. banner ads) must also be authorised. A website or Facebook site created for electioneering purposes needs to be authorised (on the home or landing page), however individual posts or comments on social media (e.g. such as Twitter or Facebook) do not.

With Twitter accounts where there are character limits, then the authorisation would be in the ‘about’ section for the account but does not have to be included on any posts.

Penalties may be applied for non-compliance with the authorisation requirements, as well as for any misleading or deceptive publications.

The City has an election signage policy that guides candidates use of election signage during an election period. In general the Policy covers as follows:

• Signs displayed on private land must have landowner or occupier consent
• Signs must not be displayed on land owned, managed or controlled by the City (other than thoroughfares)
• Signs on thoroughfares must not breach the City’s activities and trading in thoroughfares and public places local law
• Permission is required from Main Roads WA for signs erected on thoroughfares (and adjoining areas) that they maintain
• Signs must not pose a health or safety hazard
• Signs must not be defamatory or offensive
• Signs must comply with the all local, state and federal electoral legislation (see legislative extracts on printing and publishing from the LG Act above)
• Signs must be removed 48 hours after an election period
• Building permits are required for all large signs on private land and must comply with Australian Standards
• Use of the City’s name or logo on any signs is strictly forbidden

A copy of the policy is downloadable below.