Information for Candidates
Code of Conduct
Section 5.103(1) of the Local Government Act 1995 requires that every local government is to prepare or adopt a Code to be observed by Elected Members, committee members, candidates and employees.
The Code of Conduct for Councillors, committee members and candidates provides consistent guidelines for an acceptable standard of professional conduct.
Candidates are reminded that the Code of Conduct applies throughout the election period.
Candidate Induction
Amendments to Part 4 of the Local Government Act 1995 enacted by Parliament in June 2019 requires all persons seeking to nominate for council to complete an induction.
You may not be eligible to stand for election if you have not completed the induction.
The induction is available on the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries website.
The Western Australian Local Government Association and local governments, including the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale also host information sessions in the lead up to elections. While prospective candidates are encouraged to attend one or more of these sessions, to be eligible to nominate you will be required to complete the induction available on the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries website. The information sessions do not replace the need to complete the induction.
Information Sessions
WALGA, together with the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS) and the WA Electoral Commission (WAEC), hosted a candidate information webinar ahead of nominations opening on 28 August.
Prospective candidates can watch a recording of the webinar here.
The Shire hosted an in-person Candidate Information Session Wednesday, 27 August. The session contained some insights from Shire President Rob Coales about his experience as an Elected Member, followed by presentations from WALGA, Shire CEO Paul Martin, and the WAEC.
The WAEC Candidate Information presentation can be viewed here.
Eligibility for becoming a Council Member
To nominate to become a Council Member you must:
- Be 18 years of age or older;
- Not be disqualified from being an Elected Member under a provision of the Local Government Act 1995;
- Be an elector of the Ward (if you are only an elector because you are a nominee of a company then you are not eligible to stand as a candidate);
- Have a term that ends on Election Day, if you are a current Council Member.
Nomination
Nominations for the 2025 Local Government Elections open Thursday, 28 August 2025 and close 4pm, Thursday 4 September 2025.
The following vacancies exist for the October 2025 election:
- North West Ward – one Councillor (4 year term)
- North Ward – two Councillors (1 x 4 year term, 1 x 2 year term)
- South Ward – one Councillor (4 year term)
Prior to nominating, potential candidates should read the Western Australian Electoral Commission’s Guide for Candidates and be familiar with eligibility, nomination, disclosure of gifts and compulsory induction requirements.
Nominations are to be lodged in person with the Shire’s Returning Officer. The Returning Officer is appointed by the Western Australian Electoral Commission and is responsible for the conduct and processes associated with the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale’s election. The Returning Officer is able to provide further information for prospective candidates including guides and forms for candidates and scrutineers.
The Shire's appointed Returning Officer for the 2025 election is Kathryn Reid. They can be contacted via:
Further Information
Election Signage
For information on the rules that apply to the placement of election signs on private and public property within the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale, please refer to the Election Signage Council Policy.
Gifts Related to Candidature
For information on the rules that apply to declaring political donations and gifts related to candidature or to make a disclosure please refer to form here.