Victorian Councillor Census returns for 2025

The VLGA is pleased to announce the Victorian Councillor Census is returning in 2025.

First launched by the VLGA in 2024, this annual Census captures and tracks councillor demographics, attitudes, and the key challenges to local governance over time.  

It was the first time a Census of this kind had been conducted in the sector in more than a decade.

Last year’s Census has been used by the VLGA and other tiers of government to inform program and policy development and to ensure the voice of councillors are heard.

We are calling on all councillors across Victoria to have their say on the issues impacting the local government sector.

To ensure consistency, and the anonymity of respondents, the VLGA has commissioned QDOS Research to collect the data again. 

VLGA CEO Kathryn Arndt said the Census will once again focus on addressing the opportunities and barriers for councillors, their motivations for standing and any issues or challenges impacting their role. 

“Both federal and state government in Australia should be concerned by the results of the last year’s Census. At a local level of government, many elected representatives have experienced and are experiencing trauma, and disappointingly we are expecting this year’s Census to show the situation has not improved.”

“The Census provided us with tangible data to support what we had been hearing anecdotally from elected representatives for years. It led to robust conversations with other tiers of government and helped inform our program of work and allowed us to respond directly to the issues being raised by councillors,” she said.

The 2025 VLGA Victorian Councillor Census will be emailed to all Victorian councillors from October 6 and can be completed until the end of October. The identity of all those who respond to the Census is confidential - with responses collected through a de-identified process.

The Census is part of the VLGA’s continuing commitment to support councillors on their journey to be successful community representatives in their municipalities.

More information about the Census will be released in the coming weeks. Keep an eye out on the VLGA’s social media channels or reach out directly to the VLGA to find out more.