Overview
All Legislators
-
Unavailable Weekly Pay
-
Decline Future Growth
Local Government Legislators
-
1,200 workers Employment Size
-
Very high skill Skill level rating
-
60% Full-Time Full-Time Share
-
51 hours Average full-time
-
56 years Average age
-
46% female Gender Share
Local Government Legislators represent the interests of people in a constituency as their elected member of a local government authority.
Also known as: Alderman or Councillor.
Specialisations: Mayor.
You can work as a Local Government Legislator without formal qualifications, however, they may be useful. Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university are both common study pathways.
Tasks
- Develops local government policy, and formulates, amends and repeals legislation and by-laws.
- Helps constituents with a range of problems.
- Introduces proposals for government action and represents public and electoral interests.
- Issues policy directions to government departments and exercises control over local government authorities.
- Attends community functions and meetings of local groups to provide service to the community, gauge public opinion and provide information on government plans.
- May present petitions on behalf of concerned groups.
Prospects
The number of Local Government Legislators grew strongly over 5 years:
from 1,100 in 2011 to 1,200 in 2016.
Caution: These estimates do not take account of the impact of COVID-19. They may not reflect the current jobs market and should be used and interpreted with caution.
- Size: This is a very small occupation.
- Location: Local Government Legislators work in many parts of Australia. Queensland has a large share of workers.
- Industries: Most work in Public Administration and Safety; Health Care and Social Assistance; and Education and Training.
- Full-time: More than half work full-time (60%, similar to the average of 66%), but there are many opportunities to work part-time.
- Hours: Full-time workers spend around 51 hours per week at work (compared to the average of 44 hours).
- Age: The average age is 56 years (compared to the average of 40 years). Many workers are 45 years or older (78%).
- Gender: 46% of workers are female (compared to the average of 48%).
Main Industries
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Industries are based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC 06).
States and Territories
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian States and Territories, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Education Level
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Pathways
You can work as a Local Government Legislator without formal qualifications, however, they may be useful. Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university are both common study pathways.
Before starting a course, check it will provide you with the skills and qualifications you need. Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Business Services VET training pathways.
Skills & Knowledge
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Filter Skills & Knowledge
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.

O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 11-1031.00 - Legislators.
Work Environment
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Filter Work Environment
Demands
The physical and social demands workers face most often are shown below.
Values
Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.

O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 11-1031.00 - Legislators.
All Legislators
-
Unavailable Weekly Pay
-
Decline Future Growth
Local Government Legislators
-
1,200 workers Employment Size
-
Very high skill Skill level rating
-
60% Full-Time Full-Time Share
-
51 hours Average full-time
-
56 years Average age
-
46% female Gender Share
Local Government Legislators represent the interests of people in a constituency as their elected member of a local government authority.
Also known as: Alderman or Councillor.
Specialisations: Mayor.
You can work as a Local Government Legislator without formal qualifications, however, they may be useful. Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university are both common study pathways.
Tasks
- Develops local government policy, and formulates, amends and repeals legislation and by-laws.
- Helps constituents with a range of problems.
- Introduces proposals for government action and represents public and electoral interests.
- Issues policy directions to government departments and exercises control over local government authorities.
- Attends community functions and meetings of local groups to provide service to the community, gauge public opinion and provide information on government plans.
- May present petitions on behalf of concerned groups.
The number of Local Government Legislators grew strongly over 5 years:
from 1,100 in 2011 to 1,200 in 2016.
Caution: These estimates do not take account of the impact of COVID-19. They may not reflect the current jobs market and should be used and interpreted with caution.
- Size: This is a very small occupation.
- Location: Local Government Legislators work in many parts of Australia. Queensland has a large share of workers.
- Industries: Most work in Public Administration and Safety; Health Care and Social Assistance; and Education and Training.
- Full-time: More than half work full-time (60%, similar to the average of 66%), but there are many opportunities to work part-time.
- Hours: Full-time workers spend around 51 hours per week at work (compared to the average of 44 hours).
- Age: The average age is 56 years (compared to the average of 40 years). Many workers are 45 years or older (78%).
- Gender: 46% of workers are female (compared to the average of 48%).
Main Industries
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Industries are based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC 06).
States and Territories
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian States and Territories, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Education Level
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
You can work as a Local Government Legislator without formal qualifications, however, they may be useful. Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university are both common study pathways.
Before starting a course, check it will provide you with the skills and qualifications you need. Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Business Services VET training pathways.
We're working on this content
Filter Skills & Knowledge
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.

O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 11-1031.00 - Legislators.
We're working on this content.
Filter Work Environment
Demands
The physical and social demands workers face most often are shown below.
Values
Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.

O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 11-1031.00 - Legislators.