Council Elections update: sector preparation is underway
Council Elections have been deferred until April 2027. Read the media release announcing the new dates.
LGA is preparing updated resources to assist councils during the election caretaker period, including an updated Model Caretaker Policy, guidance for the holding of public candidate meetings, and updated election sign (and enforcement) guidelines.
Marketing collateral will also be delivered to councils in March, ahead of the 2026 council elections marketing campaign going live in late March. The collateral will include physical assets such as corflutes, posters, banners and brochures, along with a suite of digital assets, for councils to promote the election and encourage nominations to councils in their communities.
Education program to build capacity and confidence
To ensure a smooth and well-supported election cycle, LGA has developed an education program with tools and training to support council election preparation, candidate education, and mandatory training.
Developed in partnership with the Electoral Commission of South Australia and LG Professionals SA, the program focuses on strengthening understanding of roles, responsibilities and expectations within local government.
Key elements include:
- updated governance policies, resources and training for council staff to support election planning and processes
- a new online learning program for potential candidates
- high-quality, candidate education sessions for councils
- three mandatory council member induction sessions offered at no cost, hosted in regional hubs
- online resources to support the ongoing development of council members.