Nominations

Calling Traditional Owners to stand as candidates in the Treaty Elections!

Do you want to represent First Peoples proudly and make sure Treaty delivers for our communities? Stand as a candidate in the Treaty Elections! 

The Treaty Elections are First Peoples’ opportunity to choose who we want to deliver Treaty. These elections will decide the next generation of leaders who will sit on the Assembly and shape the future of Treaty for Victoria.

If you’re thinking about putting your hand up to stand as a candidate, check out our Candidate Information Guide below for everything you need to know about eligibility and the elections process.

Candidate Information Guide (.pdf)


Candidate nominations open on Monday 16 February 2026 and will close at 5pm on Monday 2 March 2026.

Nomination Form (Google form)
Nomination Form (Word doc) 


Templates for creating election materials such as posters and fliers can be found below, but please read the Candidate Information Guide for details about all the support available to you as well as your obligations.

The role of an elected Assembly Member

Members are the representatives for their Communities.

They play a critical role in linking the powers of the Gellung Warl to Community, making sure that the decisions taken by the Assembly reflect the priorities and aspirations of Community, and working with Community to harness those powers to improve outcomes on the ground.

Members are expected to yarn with community in their region and make sure the Assembly discussions and decisions are informed by Community views, ideas and aspirations. They are also required to attend and actively participate in Assembly meetings. Ultimately, Assembly Members must make the decisions and vote about how Gellung Warl will put Statewide Treaty to work.

Members are paid a stipend – a type of allowance – for their time. They receive operational support from Assembly staff to carry out their work.

Here are some documents that will help you understand the role, how to nominate, and how the Elections will unfold.

The role of Assembly Members (.pdf)
Candidate Information Guide (.pdf)

Attend a Candidate Information Session

Find a candidate info session near you or join online!`

Sign up for a Candidate Info session

Support is available for candidates

The Assembly offers candidates a budget of $750 that can be used for printing campaign materials or social media advertising. 

Candidates can also access design templates to create a visually engaging campaign, including a flyer, a poster, and a social media graphic.

Design Templates:

Candidates must populate these templates themselves. The Candidate Support Officer can help arrange printing and have useful election materials – like brochures and enrolment forms – delivered to you.

All of these details and more are explained in the Candidate Information Guide. Please make sure you read this to understand what support is available to you and how to access it.

Candidate Information Guide (.pdf)

For questions regarding the support available to candidates, contact the Assembly:
Phone: 1800 TREATY (87 32 89)

Candidate Support Officer

e: [email protected]

Independent Election Administrator

To ensure the smooth running and integrity of the Elections, the Treaty Authority has engaged an independent Election administrator.

So for all other questions relating to the Election or standing as a candidate, you can contact the independent election administrator:

Returning Officer

Gavin Ryan
e: [email protected]
m: 0403 336 829

Further details

Election Timeline

What’s happening?When is it happening?
Enrol to vote in this electionAny time until close of voting (12 April 2026)
Notice of Election issuedMonday 2 February 2026
Candidate information session – North-East RegionTuesday 10 February 2026 at 6.30pm
Candidate information session – North-West RegionTuesday 10 February 2026 at 7.30pm
Candidate information session – South-East RegionWednesday 11 February 2026 at 6.30pm
Candidate information session – South-West RegionWednesday 11 February 2026 at 7.30pm
Candidate information session – Metro-RegionThursday 12 February 2026 at 6.30pm
Council to publish candidate support informationFriday 13 February 2026
Candidate nominations openMonday 16 February 2026 at 9.00am
Candidate campaign materials support opensTuesday 17 February 2026 at 9.00am
Candidate information session – alternate session for candidates from any regionThursday 26 February 2026 at 7.00pm
Candidate nominations closeMonday 2 March 2026 at 5.00pm
Candidate statements due to be submitted and uploaded to websiteThursday 5 March 2026
Announcement and publication of candidatesMonday 9 March 2026 at 5.00pm
Ballot draw (online) for all regionsTuesday 10 March 2026 from 11.00am
Meet the candidate events10, 11, and 12 March 2026
Voting opening daySaturday 21 March 2026 8.00am  (online votes open)
First day of in-person pollingSaturday 21 March2026
Last day to request a postal voteSaturday 28 March 2026
Candidate campaign materials support closesFriday 3 April 2026 at 5.00pm
Last day of in-person pollingSaturday 11 April 2026
Voting Closing (all voting closes) and postal votes to be sentSunday 12 April 2026 at 6:00pm
Scrutineer Training Session 1 (online)Tuesday 21 April 2026 at 7pm
Scrutineer Training Session 2 (online)Thursday 16 April 2026 at 7pm
Postal votes must be receivedTuesday 21 April 2026 at 6.00pm
Votes countedWednesday 22 April 2026
Candidates informed of results by transitional Electoral OfficerBy Thursday 23 April 2026 at 5.00pm
Results announced by the transitional Electoral OfficerAs soon as practicable after the votes have been counted (must be before 30 April 2026)

Candidate Information Sessions

RegionDate and location
North East RegionTuesday 10 February 2026 at 6.30pm
North West RegionTuesday 10 February 2026 at 7.30pm
South East RegionWednesday 11 February 2026 at 6.30pm
South West RegionWednesday 11 February 2026 at 7.30pm
Metro RegionThursday 12 February 2026 at 6.30pm

Information for Candidates

Important Election Documents