Victorian councillors have shared their experiences as part of the 2025 VLGA Victorian Councillor Census, with the scope of this year’s survey expanded to capture key data gaps, particularly in relation to understanding the cumulative impact of incivility, growing personal pressures and constrained council resources.
Now in its second year, the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) Census tracks councillor demographics, attitudes and the key challenges to local governance over time. To ensure consistency, and the anonymity of respondents, the VLGA again commissioned QDOS Research to manage and collect the data.
VLGA CEO, Kathryn Arndt said the Census allows the Association to deepen its understanding of the role and provide a stronger evidence base to inform advocacy, policy and program development.
“The Census findings provide tangible insights, oversight and direction to inform our program of work and ensure the events and programs we deliver reflect the lived experience of councillors,” said Ms Arndt.
“The success of last year’s census has reinforced the important role it plays in influencing and leading important conversations across the Local Government sector.”
She said one of the most significant findings of this year’s Census was the level of incivility being experienced across the sector.
Bullying and non-sexual harassment from the public was reportedly experienced by 25% of male councillors and more than 50% of women councillors.
The Census also revealed women councillors are twice as likely to receive higher hostility than male councillors, said Ms Arndt.
The findings also highlighted that the rules and regulations imposed by other levels of government, and limited financial resources, were the two key barriers councillors reported as constraining councils power to achieve outcomes.
“This latest data will be used by the VLGA and government to inform policy and sector related discussions in order to enhance the outcomes councillors deliver for the communities they represent, as well as improve the working landscape for elected representatives.”
The 2025 Census also explored the differences in experiences between first term and returning councillors. Capturing this distinction was of particular significance, given that 57% of councillors elected in the 2024 Victorian Local Government Election were first-time councillors, Ms Arndt said.
Other key findings from the 2025 VLGA Victorian Councillor Census included:
- The average age of a councillor is 54;
- 74% of councillors are employed and either work full time, part time or run their own business, in addition to undertaking councillor responsibilities;
- Councillors spent on average 39 hours a week on council-related activities in the first year of this term.
Ms Arndt said the Census had been well-received by the local government sector in Victoria.
“More than half of the councillors elected in Victoria participated in the 2025 Census, with a total of 329 responses received,” said Ms Arndt.
“This strong engagement rate reflects the value councillors place on having their voices heard and the role it plays in shaping the sector moving forward.
To read the full report click here.
