Nominate to Become a Councillor

Key dates for nominations

  • Nominations open: Thursday, 28 August
  • Nominations close: Thursday, 4 September at 4pm

How to nominate

Step 1: Confirm your eligibility

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 an MP or a member of another Council

  • Are financially insolvent

  • Are currently serving a prison sentence

  • Were convicted of a serious local government offence in the past five years

  • Were convicted of an offence with an indictable penalty of over five years' imprisonment

  • Were found liable for misusing local government funds/property in the last five years.

Step 2: Complete the Candidate Induction
It is compulsory to complete the Candidate Induction before you nominate.  The induction provides information on the role and responsibilities of being a council member, and the rules related to election campaigns.

When you register your completion of the induction, you will receive an confirmation email with a reference number and date of completion. You must include the reference number and completion date on your nomination form. 

Commence Candidate Induction
Step 3: Complete and submit your nomination application
Nomination applications must be submitted to the City's Returning Officer between 28 August 2025 and 4 September 2025 (closing at 4pm).

A valid nomination application includes:
  • A completed nomination form
  • A candidate profile
  • Deposit of $100
  • A photograph no larger than passport sized and taken in the last six months (optional).

Candidates may also provide a written statement in English, of up to 2,000 characters (including spaces) with their nomination paper (optional).

It is recommended that candidates use the Nomination Builder to complete their nomination form and construct their candidate profile.

Launch Nomination Builder

Important notes

  • All nomination applications must be signed by the candidate in front of a witness.

  • The Returning Officer might ask for changes to your nomination. Please ensure to leave ample time for potential revisions before the nomination window closes.

More information and contact

Returning Officer

Returning Officers are appointed by the WAEC to oversee the election, including the nominations phase. They're typically the first port of call for any questions relating to the election.

Details of the City of Cockburn's Returning Officer will be made available on this page when known. We expect this to be early to mid-August.

Further reading

Visit the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries website for detailed information on becoming a Councillor, including:
  • The role of a Council member
  • What happens when you become a Council member
  • Electoral gifts and crowdfunding.

Contact

Address

City of Cockburn
Whadjuk Boodjar
9 Coleville Crescent,
Spearwood 6163

PO Box 1215, Bibra Lake DC,
Western Australia, 6965

Office opening hours:
8.30am to 4.30pm
Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)

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Cockburn Nyungar moort Beeliar boodja-k kaadadjiny. Koora, yeyi, benang baalap nidja boodja-k kaaradjiny.
Ngalak kaditj boodjar kep wer kaadidjiny kalyakool yoodaniny, wer koora wer yeyi ngalak Birdiya koota-djinanginy.

The City of Cockburn acknowledges the Nyungar people of Beeliar Boodjar. Long ago, now and in the future they care for Country.
We acknowledge a continuing connection to Land, Waters and Culture and pay our respects to Elders, past and present.