WHAT'S NEXT?

I WANT
TO RUN

How To Get Elected

Thinking about running for public office can feel equal parts exciting and overwhelming. Whether you’re driven by a local issue, a sense of responsibility to your community, or the lack of women at the table, your instinct is valid. You don’t need a political background to start. You need clarity, support, and a practical understanding of how to get elected.
 
Launching a campaign isn’t one big leap. It’s a series of clear, manageable decisions. From defining why you want to run, choosing your level of government, working with a political party or building a team, and getting on the ballot, each step builds momentum.
 
Our training breaks down the key steps of campaigning, so running for election feels possible, not mysterious.

Practical Skills for Running a Campaign

Inspirational Video

Women run a lot of things...it's time more of us run for public office.

Women are natural leaders, balancing careers, families, and communities. Imagine channeling those skills to create impactful change in the political arena.

Get equipped with the skills to run for office

WHAT IS THE EQUIP: CANDIDATE TRAINING PROGRAM?

Women for Election, armed with a $5 million ‘Women in Public Office’ Commonwealth grant, is hitting the road (and dirt tracks) around Australia to bring our free EQUIP: Candidate Training Program to a town near you.

YOU can be a part of making local councils and parliaments more representative of the communities in which we live!

Do you volunteer for an organisation that serves your community?  Have you rallied friends and neighbours together to create a positive change for your town?

Then you’re already doing the job of a good political representative! It’s time to think what you would do if YOU were at the decision-making table contributing to future policy decisions for your community. Women for Election have trained nearly 3,000 women and non binary folk to take the next step on their community leadership journey. All of our alumni who’ve decided to run for Council, State Government, or Federal Parliament have won. And some of them have even been elected! That’s because we see running as winning – because you change the conversation in your electorate just by running. Plus, when others watch your experience you inspire them to see themselves as future political leaders.

Our EQUIP: Candidate Training Program includes tailored content for women living in regional/rural locations, women living with disability, young women, women and non binary folk from the queer community, multicultural women and First Nations women (presented with our partner, Turnstone Collective).

Stay tuned for one of our upcoming training sessions around the country by signing up to our newsletter HERE.

Our Women for Election trainers remove the mystery around the political process of nominating for community representation and getting elected. You’ll learn about the tools and techniques to enable you to nominate for public office, be the best candidate you can be, or assist another woman with her political campaign.

Our EQUIP: Candidate Training Program is a FREE, in-person workshop. All you need to bring is your curiosity and a ‘get elected’ attitude.

Once you’ve attended a Women for Election training event, you’ll have access to ongoing support via our new digital education platform, Campaign in Your Pocket™ and a specialised mentoring program.

A quick note on our Terminology: WFE has an inclusive definition of ‘women’. We aim to engage with, and give voice to, the diverse experience of those who may identify as women – including trans, cis and non-binary.

So You Want to Run?

How to Launch Your Political Campaign

Are you a woman thinking about running for public office?
Whether you’re inspired by a local issue, driven by a desire to represent your community, or simply ready to see more women in leadership, your voice matters. And yes, you absolutely can run.
Launching a political campaign can feel daunting, but with the right support and a clear strategy, it is entirely achievable.
Follow our 10 step guide to help shape your initial thinking and understand what it really takes to run. It applies no matter your political party, whether you are running with a major party, a minor party, or as an independent. This guide helps you turn that decision into clear, confident next steps.

Step 1: Define Your Why

 
Before anything else, get clear on why you want to run. What issues matter most to you? What change do you want to see? Your “why” will shape your campaign message, guide your decisions, and keep you grounded when things get tough.
 
Write it down. Say it out loud. Share it with others. This is your foundation.
 
Not sure where to start? Check out our CALIBRE tool.

Step 2: Choose Your Level of Government

 
Australia has three levels of government – local, state, and federal – each with different responsibilities. It’s important to consider where your passions and expertise align.
 
  • Local government (councils): Focuses on community services, planning, waste, parks, and local roads.
  • State and territory government: Manages health, education, transport, and policing.
  • Federal government: Oversees national issues like defence, immigration, taxation, and foreign affairs. Also works alongside state and territory governments on health and education.

Step 3: Understand the Rules

 
Each level of government has its own nomination process, eligibility criteria, and campaign regulations.
 
Visit the websites of the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), your state electoral commission, or local council for detailed information.

Step 4: Decide How You’ll Run – Party or Independent?

 
Running with a political party can offer structure, resources, and built-in support. You’ll need to be endorsed by the party and follow its platform and processes.
 
Running as an independent gives you full control over your message and campaign, but you’ll need to build everything from scratch – including your team, funding, and visibility.
 
Both paths are valid. Choose the one that aligns best with your values and goals.

Step 5: Build Your Team

 
No one runs a campaign alone. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and bring diverse skills to the table. Key roles include:
 
  • Campaign Manager: Oversees strategy, logistics, and day-to-day operations.
  • Communications Lead: Manages messaging, media, and social media.
  • Volunteer Coordinator: Recruits and supports campaign volunteers.
  • Fundraising Lead: Organises donations, events, and compliance.
For more ideas, check out our Behind Every Candidate blog post. Even a small team can make a big impact. Tap into your networks – friends, colleagues, community groups – and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Step 6: Develop Your Message

 
Your campaign message should be clear, authentic, and focused. What do you stand for? What will you fight for? What makes you different?
 
Create a short, compelling pitch – often called a “stump speech” – that you can use in conversations, interviews, and events. Make sure it speaks to the needs and hopes of your community.

Step 7: Engage Your Community

 
Start building relationships early. Attend local events, listen to concerns, and introduce yourself as a candidate. Use every opportunity to connect – online and offline.
 
Key engagement strategies include:
 
  • Door knocking and phone calls
  • Community forums and listening sessions
  • Social media outreach
  • Local media interviews and op-eds
Authenticity matters. Be present, be curious, and be responsive.

Step 8: Fundraise

 
Campaigns cost money – for printing, advertising, events, and more. Set a realistic budget and start fundraising early.
 
Options include:
 
  • Crowdfunding
  • Hosting fundraising events
  • Seeking donations from supporters
  • Applying for public funding (if eligible)
Be transparent and follow all legal requirements for donations and disclosures.

Step 9: Get on the Ballot

 
Once you’ve met the eligibility criteria and gathered any required nominations or signatures, submit your paperwork to the relevant electoral commission. This is your official entry into the race.
 
Make sure everything is accurate and submitted on time – missing a deadline can mean missing your chance to run.

Step 10: Campaign with Courage

 
Once your campaign is live, it’s time to hit the ground running. Stay focused on your message, connect with voters, and keep your team energised.
 
Remember: campaigns are marathons, not sprints. Take care of your wellbeing, celebrate small wins, and stay true to your values.
 
. . .
 
Sound like a lot? Women for Election is here to help. Register for our flagship EQUIP Candidate Training Workshop where we cover off on the above in greater detail, and provide you with the practical skills and know-how required to run.

What's next?

Join Our Next EQUIP Candidate Training Program

Learn the tools and techniques to enable you to run for office, be the best candidate you can be, or assist another woman with her political campaign.  

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Calculate your CALLIBRE

We’re embracing a future of CALIBRE, also known as: Community Aligned Leadership in Brave Representation of Everyone!
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Masterclass: Sharpen Your Skills

Take your campaign know-how to the next level. Our Masterclasses offer practical, expert-led sessions on key topics like messaging, fundraising, and media, designed to fit your schedule and support your political journey – whether you’re just starting or already running.

Check them out

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Understanding Pre-Selection

Like many of us, you are probably in the dark about how the party pre-selection process actually works in Australian politics. It’s not a well-understood process for anyone who isn’t a member of a political party – and even for those in a party it can still be steeped in mystery. 

Pre-selection is the process by which a registered political party chooses who will be their endorsed election candidate in any given federal, state or council electorate. In Australia, pre-selection processes vary between states and parties. Pre-selection is often seen as the campaign you run before you run your election campaign!

On Thursday 13th of October, Women for Election ran a Masterclass on the pre-selection process. We were very fortunate to have two experts join us, one from inside the Australian Labor Party and the other from inside the Liberal Party of NSW, to discuss and contrast how pre-selection works in their parties.

Jennifer Light has been the National Assistant Secretary at the Australian Labor Party
since the start of 2021 and she ran the ‘Target Seats’ unit during the 2022 Federal Election.
First joining the Labor Party as a university student at Sydney University, Jennifer has been
active in various parts of the ALP, and she’s held several different positions within the party.

Jacqui Munro is the recently elected President of the NSW Liberal Women’s Council and
Women’s Vice-President of the Liberal Party of Australia (NSW Division). She has worked for
political heavyweights including Malcolm Turnbull, Gladys Berejiklian and Dr Kerryn Phelps.
In 2019 Jacqui ran for Federal Parliament to advocate for environmental protection, small
business and mental health. At that time she was the NSW Liberal Party’s youngest woman candidate.

Jennifer and Jacqui provided us with insights into the pre-selection process for each of their
parties and how you can position yourself best within it. This was a rare opportunity to hear
from “insiders” on a process that is frequently shrouded in secrecy and ask them questions to
help our participants on their political journey.

At Women for Election, we know that one of the biggest barriers to women getting elected can be the candidate selection process. An additional barrier to women not even considering running for political office in the first place is a general lack of knowledge around processes such as pre-selection.

What we learnt is that, often, local party members get to know potential pre-selection candidates who are usually from the same branch or state, and then cast their vote.

In many cases, voting panels consist of local members and state and central delegates to avoid accusations of “branch stacking”, or having members favour particular candidates over the general interests of the party.

Jennifer spoke about three core principles for pre-selection for the ALP:

  1. Join the party
  2. Get involved
    • Volunteer on a fellow Labor candidate’s campaign
    • Join the local Labor Party branch
    • Follow state branches on Facebook
    • Seek roles within the party, such as policy committees
  3. Build mentors and supporters within the party
    • Attend women’s networking breakfasts and events
    • Organise meetings with local, state and federal MPs
    • Get involved in your local area

Jacqui noted that Liberal Party members are usually pre-selected from their geographical suburb branches. From these branches, members can be allocated for pre-selection at the state or federal conference. Local government conferences are allocated in the same way.

Branch members get a vote according to their geography. Every member related to the seat in the suburban area gets a vote, as long as they have been a member for at least two years.


“Liberals need to get back in their communities and use the time in opposition to explore
novel forms of engagement, encourage more people into party activities and offer greater
policy depth and breadth.”

Jennifer noted how the ALP’s structures and mechanisms for pre-selection are changing to allow for more local women, particularly those from culturally diverse communities, to run in seats that are winnable.

Until Kristina Keneally’s failed run in Fowler, Labor’s pre-selection practises had remained mostly out of the spotlight. For background, Keneally was installed as the party’s candidate in that seat, despite living on Sydney’s affluent northern beaches. This deal was done to avoid a fight with her colleague in the Labor right faction, Senator Deborah O’Neill, over pre-selection for a winnable spot on the NSW Senate ticket.

Backed by Labor power-brokers, the deal upset the plans of Tu Le, a Vietnamese Australian lawyer from western Sydney who had the backing of retiring Labor Fowler MP Chris Hayes and planned to run for pre-selection. The decision was widely criticised because Keneally was not from the area and did not reflect the seat’s high level of ethnic diversity.

Both Jennifer and Jacqui spoke about the need for more transparency when it comes to candidate pre-selection, especially in seats with culturally diverse populations and party membership.

Jennifer and Jacqui discussed the importance of both major parties needing to listen to local community voices. It is incumbent on the major parties to ensure a place for people from different backgrounds in our parliament.

Both our speakers noted that the time of “parachuting politics” is over. We all reflected on the fact that the last federal election proved that there is a hunger for political participation across Australia’s diverse communities. But it’s clear that that hunger is not always being met with adequate opportunities for representation. Which is exactly why Women for Election exists! To inspire and equip women, of all backgrounds and lived experience, to see themselves as future political leaders through dedicated candidate training opportunities.

Women for Election would like to thank Jacqui and Jennifer for this incredibly insightful and engaging event.

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"The course gave me increased confidence to step forward as a candidate. I would recommend it to other women seeking to make a difference on behalf of their communities.”

- Kellie Sloane, Leader of the NSW Liberal Party