2026 Council election update:
The Electoral Commission of South Australia has requested that the 2026 local government elections, originally scheduled for November 2026, be postponed.
On 16 June 2026, the South Australian Government announced its intention to introduce legislation to defer the elections until April 2027.
Council will continue to monitor developments and provide further updates as information becomes available.
Local government elections:
Participating in your local council election is one of the most direct ways you can make a difference to everyday life in your community.
Councils are part of the democratic framework of Australia. The community elects their council members every four years. The next periodic Council Election is scheduled for November 2026.
Unlike State and Federal elections, it is not compulsory to vote in South Australian council elections and all voting is done by post. Enrolled voters receive a voting pack through the mail and return their votes in a reply – paid envelope.
The rules for elections are set out in the Local Government (Elections) Act 1999 - an act of the South Australian Parliament.
2026 Council elections timetable:
- Roll Close - 5pm, Friday 31 July 2026
- Nominations Open - Tuesday 25 August 2026
- Nominations Close - 12noon, Tuesday 8 September 2026
- Mail out of voting materials - Thursday 15 October 2026 - Wednesday 21 October 2026
- Close of voting - 5pm, Wednesday 11 November 2026
- Scrutiny and Count - 9am, Saturday 14 November 2026
This content is authorised by CEO Sharon Mason, Ramsay Pl, Noarlunga Centre SA 5168
The Elections Review Act commenced on 1 January 2026, in which, legislation was introduced whereby a person must be a State Elector to vote in council elections
The voters roll for council elections consists of two components – the state (House of Assembly) electoral roll, and the council supplementary roll.
Prior to the local government election in November 2026:
You may be eligible to vote if you are:
- a business owner or occupier in the council area
- a non-resident property owner in the council area
- an eligible nominee for a body corporate or group
Check the details below and complete the relevant form and return to Council by close of Roll, 5pm on 31 July 2026.
Property Owner/Occupant (individual)
If you are on the House of Assembly Roll for State Elections and:
- you are a sole owner of property in our council area but do not live in our Council area; or
- you are an occupier of property in our Council area but you don’t live at that property.
then you are entitled to an individual vote for a property you own or occupy in the City of Onkaparinga where you do not live.
Please complete and return Form 1 - Application for Enrolment on the Council Voters Roll (Natural Person)(PDF, 652KB)
Are you thinking of nominating for your local council? The next local government elections will be held in November 2026.
Refer to the Electoral Commission SA website for eligibility criteria.
The Local Government Association of Australia has prepared a training module for people wanting to learn about running for Council.
Modules include:
- Leadership qualities and skills checklist
- What is local government?
- Council roles
- Working together
- Leadership and behaviour
Access the modules: Nominate for Council eLearning
To find out which ward you live in, view the city wide interactive and individual ward maps.