The short answer

Kingston City Council Opens Candidate Nominations for Melaleuca Ward By-Election

Candidate nominations for the Kingston City Council Melaleuca Ward postal by-election opened on Monday 15 June 2026. Eligible residents who want to represent their local community must lodge their nomination in person at the election office at 1230 Nepean Highway, Cheltenham, by appointment during business hours. The nomination period closes at 12 noon on Tuesday 23 June 2026, and late nominations will not be accepted. Prospective candidates must pay a $250 nomination fee and can pre-complete their nomination form online using the VEC's Candidate Helper tool at candidatehelper.vec.vic.gov.au to save time before their appointment.

This guide explains the federal position first. State, territory and local elections can use different rules, dates and ballot systems, so the commission named on your election material is the final operational source.

The useful question is not only “what is the rule?” but also “who administers it, which document controls it, and when might it change?” That distinction prevents an accurate general explanation from becoming wrong advice in a particular election, chamber or policy setting.

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Why a by-election is being held

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Councillor Tess Law from Kingston City Council, creating a vacancy in the Melaleuca Ward. Under Victorian local government legislation, when a councillor resigns, the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) is responsible for conducting a by-election to fill the vacant position. The Melaleuca Ward covers suburbs in Melbourne's south-east including parts of Parkdale, Mordialloc, and Aspendale.

This is a postal-only election, meaning all voting will be conducted by mail rather than at physical voting centres. The VEC will mail ballot packs to all voters enrolled in Melaleuca Ward from Monday 13 July 2026, with voting closing at 6 pm on Friday 31 July 2026.

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How to nominate as a candidate

Candidate nominations are open from Monday 15 June 2026 and close at 12 noon on Tuesday 23 June 2026. To nominate, prospective candidates must meet several eligibility requirements: they must be an Australian citizen, be enrolled on the voters roll for Kingston City Council, be eligible to become a councillor if elected, and have completed the mandatory candidate training before lodging their nomination.

The nomination process requires lodging a completed nomination form in person with the Election Manager, Sally Joy, together with a $250 nomination fee. Nominations must be lodged by appointment during business hours. 'If you want to represent your local community, I encourage you to nominate,' Election Manager Sally Joy said. 'You'll need to lodge your nomination in person during the nomination period.'

To streamline the process, the VEC has made a Candidate Helper tool available online at candidatehelper.vec.vic.gov.au. This tool allows prospective candidates to pre-complete their nomination form before attending their appointment. After using the Candidate Helper, candidates should print the pre-completed form and bring it to their lodgement appointment along with the nomination fee.

The Victorian Government's Local Government Candidate Training is a free online course that covers the role of a councillor, meeting procedures, conflict of interest obligations and the planning and financial responsibilities of local government. The training must be completed within two years of election day, and candidates must provide their certificate of completion when lodging their nomination. The course typically takes several hours to complete, so prospective candidates should not leave it until the last day of the nomination period.

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Making a nomination appointment

Prospective candidates must call to make an appointment before lodging their nomination. From Monday 15 June 2026, appointments can be made by calling 03 9678 1093. The VEC's published notice of election provides a second contact number (8620 1316) for nomination appointments.

The election office is located at 1230 Nepean Highway, Cheltenham and will be open on weekdays from Monday 15 June through to Friday 31 July 2026. Candidates must lodge their nomination during the office's business hours and by the strict deadline of 12 noon on Tuesday 23 June 2026. The VEC has made clear that late nominations will not be accepted under any circumstances.

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Candidate information session and resources

A candidate information session was hosted online using Microsoft Teams at 6 pm on Wednesday 10 June 2026, ahead of the nomination period opening. This session provided prospective candidates with guidance on the nomination process, campaigning rules, and electoral requirements.

Candidate information kits containing nomination forms and other electoral information are available directly from the Election Manager by calling 03 9678 1093. These kits also cover important topics such as authorising campaign material, appointing scrutineers, and political donation disclosure obligations under Victorian law.

For voters with accessibility needs, large print and braille ballot papers are available, with registrations closing at 5 pm on Tuesday 16 June 2026. Voters who are blind or have low vision can register by calling 03 8620 1314 during business hours or by emailing BrailleAndLargePrint@vec.vic.gov.au.

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Key dates for voters

While this article focuses on the candidate nomination phase, voters should be aware of the following important dates for the overall by-election process. The deadline to enrol to vote in this by-election was 4 pm on Wednesday 20 May 2026. Only voters who were correctly enrolled in Melaleuca Ward by that date are eligible to participate.

Ballot packs will be mailed to all enrolled voters from Monday 13 July 2026. Voting is compulsory for all voters who were on the roll at 4 pm on Wednesday 20 May 2026. This includes both state-enrolled voters and council-enrolled voters such as non-resident owner ratepayers. Voting closes at 6 pm on Friday 31 July 2026, and voters who do not vote may be fined.

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What comes next

After nominations close at 12 noon on Tuesday 23 June 2026, the VEC will announce the full list of candidates who have successfully nominated. Readers should watch for the VEC's candidate announcement, which is expected shortly after the nomination deadline. A subsequent article on OzPolitics will cover the full candidate list once announced.

Following the candidate announcement, ballot packs will be prepared and mailed to enrolled voters from Monday 13 July 2026. Voters will then complete their ballot papers and return them by post or hand deliver them to the election office before the 6 pm Friday 31 July 2026 deadline.

Common questions

Before you rely on the answer

Who is eligible to nominate as a candidate for the Kingston by-election?

To nominate, you must be an Australian citizen, be enrolled on the voters roll for Kingston City Council, be eligible to become a councillor if elected, and have completed the mandatory candidate training before lodging your nomination. You must also lodge your nomination in person at the election office with a $250 nomination fee.

What is the deadline for candidate nominations?

Nominations close at 12 noon on Tuesday 23 June 2026. Late nominations will not be accepted. Prospective candidates must make an appointment by calling 03 9678 1093 and lodge their nomination in person at 1230 Nepean Highway, Cheltenham during business hours before the deadline.

Can I pre-complete my nomination form online?

Yes. The VEC provides a Candidate Helper tool at candidatehelper.vec.vic.gov.au where prospective candidates can pre-complete their nomination form. After using the tool, print the pre-completed form and bring it to your in-person lodgement appointment along with the $250 nomination fee.

Why is a by-election being held in Melaleuca Ward?

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Councillor Tess Law from Kingston City Council, creating a vacancy in the Melaleuca Ward. Under Victorian legislation, a by-election is required to fill the vacant councillor position.

What if I miss the nomination deadline?

If you miss the 12 noon 23 June 2026 nomination deadline, you cannot stand as a candidate for this by-election under the Local Government Act 2020. There is no provision for late nominations. The VEC advises prospective candidates to lodge their nomination as early as possible within the nomination period, and to contact the Election Manager before the deadline if they encounter difficulties. The candidate helper service at candidatehelper.vec.vic.gov.au and the VEC candidate helpline on 131 832 can assist with questions about eligibility, the nomination form and the required training certificate throughout the nomination period.

Source spine

Primary material used for this guide

Review trigger: Original VEC media release published 15 June 2026. No material changes detected as of 19 July 2026 review date. The candidate nomination period proceeded as scheduled and 13 candidates were subsequently announced on 25 June 2026.

Archive note: This is Article 1 of a 3-part series on the Kingston City Council Melaleuca Ward postal by-election. Article 2 covers the candidate announcement (published 25 June 2026). Article 3 covers ballot packs being mailed (published 13 July 2026). All facts drawn from official Victorian Electoral Commission sources.

Primary links are provided without affiliate or tracking parameters. Confirm that the source still applies to the bill, sitting date, jurisdiction or reporting period before relying on it.