Councillor Professional Development

For more than 30 years the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) has been a representative voice for its members, as well as a key provider of training and professional skills development.

Our training focuses on enhancing councillor capabilities and ensuring elected representatives are well equipped to represent their communities.

All of VLGA’s training and professional development programs have strong alignment with the new mandatory training requirements set out in the Local Government (Governance and Integrity) Regulations 2020.

Over the next four years, the VLGA will be rolling out a suite of training that directly aligns with the mandatory training requirements.

In 2025, we will be focusing on developing councillor skills in the following areas: 

• Renewing your commitment to work as a team
• CEO recruitment and performance management
• Effectively participating in council meetings 
• Preventing fraud and corruption
• Representing the diversity, interest and needs of the community
• Effective financial and risk management
• Effective strategic planning
• Effective communication
• Creating and maintaining a safe workplace
• Legislative responsibilities and working within the code of conduct
• The Victorian planning system  

Our programs are designed to inspire and support councils and councillors in good governance and set them up for success. By participating in the VLGA's Professional Development Program, we ensure councillors are proactive learners and are best placed to deliver great outcomes for the communities they represent.

The VLGA training programs increase both councillor confidence and competence in their role, help easily identify knowledge gaps and tailor learning opportunities and experiences to the direct learning needs of councillors. 

A full program prospectus will be released in early 2025 for councils to plan their ongoing councillor professional development, along with a Councillor Professional Development Policy which will guide councils across Victoria on how to implement the mandatory requirements in a way that best suits their councillors' learning needs. 

Please contact the VLGA on (03) 9349 7999 or vlga@vlga.org.au if you would like to discuss your council's requirements. Content and delivery methods may be customised to meet the needs of your council, but could include workshops, seminars, online modules and immersive events.