The Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) has released the results of the first ever census to collect data on the experiences of Victorian councillors.
The Victorian Councillor Census provided invaluable insights into the overall experience of a councillor across the duration of their four-year term.
VLGA said the census looked to address the opportunities and barriers for councillors, their motivations for standing, any factors influencing their decision to stand or not stand for re-election and identified areas where councillors required additional support.
VLGA CEO, Kathryn Arndt, said this groundbreaking work would help inform, influence and lead important conversations across the local government sector.
“Up until now, we haven’t had any tangible data to support what we were hearing anecdotally from elected representatives,” she said.
“The census addresses a significant information gap and provides some great insights into how the sector can respond and be better placed to support and empower councillors to be successful in their roles in the future.”
The Victorian Councillor Census was conducted in collaboration with QDOS Research, which was responsible for collecting the data and ensuring the complete anonymity of respondents.
More than 300 councillors across Victoria responded to the census, with an average age of 57 years.
One of the most significant findings of the census was identifying the challenges and barriers currently preventing women and men from re-standing as councillors.
Key findings include:
- The primary motivators to become a councillor were community service and a desire to enact change
- 47 per cent of respondents had served as a councillor for between three and four years
- The average weekly hours spent on council related activities was 29.2 hours
- A large percentage did not have a clear understanding of the strategic nature of the role initially
- Remuneration was not seen as commensurate to the time demands of the job
- A significant number of councillors did not expect the level of hostility they encountered, especially from other councillors
- 41 per cent of women and 26 per cent of men regularly experienced threatening or intimidating behaviour from another councillor
- Bullying and harassment were identified as key factors for councillors, particularly women councillors, not standing for re-election
- 69 per cent agree that councillors should be entitled to claim childcare costs as part of performing council duties
- 73 per cent of those surveyed would recommend the role of councillor to others
Ms Arndt said the VLGA planned to conduct the census annually to capture and track councillor demographics, attitudes and key challenges for local council governance over time.
She said the data had also helped inform the VLGA’s program of work, including:
- The expansion of the Local Women Leading Change program to empower more women to nominate for council in 2028
- The development of an EAP Register to ensure councillors are aware of the health and wellbeing supports available to them and how to access them
- The development of a four-year Councillor Professional Development Program that directly aligns with the mandatory Victorian Government guidelines
- The expansion of the VLGA’s community leadership programs to encourage informed candidates in 2028 that represent the diversity of their community
- The formalisation of the VLGA’s advice network to provide councillors with expert governance and leadership advice
“The census is a critical tool that has already directly informed the VLGA’s sector advocacy and our program of work moving forward,” Ms Arndt said.
“It will also be used by government to inform policy and related sector discussions in order to enhance the outcomes councillors deliver for the communities they represent.”
Access the full VLGA Victorian Councillior Census report here.
