Government Elections

Local Government Elections

In New South Wales, local government elections (or Council elections) are normally held every four years. At these elections, you have the opportunity to vote for local candidates to become Councillors. The elected Councillors then normally serve Bellingen Shire Council for a four-year term.

When is the next election?

The most recent Local Government election was on Saturday 14 September 2024, and elections generally occur every four years.

Voting in the election

Voting is compulsory in Australia and enables you to choose who represents you in federal, state and local governments. You only need to enrol once with the Australian Electoral Commission to vote for all three levels of government.

If you are a resident in the Bellingen Shire Council area, you can check if your enrolment details are up to date with the Australian Electoral Commission.

For information on Enrolment, visit the NSW Electoral Commission website.

The webpage includes information on checking and updating enrolment details, how to enrol, who can enrol, and voter FAQs. 

 

Key information and dates

Key information and dates

Electoral Roll: Information is available through the NSW Electoral Commission website.

Non-residential enrolment for local government elections: Information is available through the NSW Electoral Commission website.

Results: can be found on the NSW Local Government Elections page.

More information will be available closer to the date of the next election.

 

The 2024 Local Government Election

On 14 September 2024, Bellingen Shire Council held its local government election. The NSW Electoral Commission was contracted to conduct the election for Council.
 
Reporting Requirements
Clause 393A of the Local Government Regulation requires that within 6 months after the declaration of an election, the General Manager must provide the Minister with a written report and that the Report must be displayed on Council’s website. The Report was tabled as ITEM 8.4 at the Ordinary Council Meeting 16 July 2025. The report provides an overview of details such as:
  • The total cost of the election to Council, inclusive of Council staff time; outlays for venues, election officials and officers, IT support, etc. -$189,504.77
  • The number of voting booths;
  • The number of electors.
Details are available in the Report, available below.

State Government Elections

A state election must be held in New South Wales on the fourth Saturday in March every four years. During a state election, voters must elect representatives to all 93 seats in the Legislative Assembly (a 'general' election) and half the 42 seats in the Legislative Council (a 'periodic' election). 

When is the next election?

The most recent election was in March 2023. The next State Government election is expected to be held in March 2027.

 

Voting in the election

Voting is compulsory in Australia and enables you to choose who represents you in federal, state and local governments. You only need to enrol once with the Australian Electoral Commission to vote for all three levels of government.

For information on Enrolment, visit the NSW Electoral Commission website.

The webpage includes information on checking and updating enrolment details, how to enrol, who can enrol, and voter FAQs. 

 

Federal Government Elections

In Australia, the Federal Election is typically held every three years. In these elections you will have the opportunity to vote for candidates to represent you in the Australian Parliament.

When is the next election?

The most recent Federal Government election was held on Saturday 3 May, 2025. A full federal election is conducted approximately once every three years on a date determined by the Governor-General, upon request by the Government.

Voting in the election

Voting is compulsory in Australia and enables you to choose who represents you in federal, state and local governments. You only need to enrol once with the Australian Electoral Commission to vote for all three levels of government.

For information on enrolment, visit the NSW Electoral Commission website.

The webpage includes information on checking and updating enrolment details, how to enrol, who can enrol, and voter FAQs. 

 

Election signage

General Restrictions:
  • It is illegal to publicly display election posters that breach specific regulations during the regulated period.
  • Breaches can result in penalties of up to 100 penalty units for corporations or 20 penalty units (or 6 months imprisonment) for individuals.
Prohibited Locations:

Election posters cannot be displayed:

  • On or within any government-owned premises, including those controlled by the NSW Government or local councils.
  • On private property without the written consent of the owner.
  • Non-compliance may result in fines of up to 12.5 penalty units for corporations or 2.5 penalty units for individuals.
Exceptions – Where Posters Can Be Displayed:
  • On the outer wall or boundary of a polling place.
  • Within the grounds of a polling place on election day.
  • On vehicles in public areas.
  • Attached to tables or stalls in public areas on election day.

Note : The display of election posters also constitutes development for the purposes of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 . Subdivision 13 (Election signs) of Division 2 of Part 2 of State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 provides that the display of election posters is exempt development, subject to conditions, during the period commencing 5 weeks before and ending 1 week after the election day concerned.

For full details, refer to the Electoral Act 2017 – Section 184.

 

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