Perth School Board Elections - Bylaws & Process

Education Western Australia 3 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026 Flag of Western Australia

Perth, Western Australia public school boards follow procedures set by the WA Department of Education and relevant state law; local principals and regional offices administer elections and nominations for parent and community representatives. For procedural guidance, schools should follow Department of Education rules and published templates when organising timelines, calling nominations, conducting ballots and declaring results [1].

Prepare the election

A clear timeline, published nomination instructions and an accessible ballot process produce fair elections. Typical preparation items include notice to the school community, nomination paperwork, a nomination period, a ballot period (if required), counting rules and formal declaration of results.

  • Set dates for nomination open and close, and for voting (if required).
  • Publish nomination instructions and eligibility criteria to parents and staff.
  • Record nominations, candidate statements and any conflicts of interest.
  • Decide on ballot method (paper, electronic where permitted) and counting rules.
Start public notice and nomination windows early in the school term to maximise participation.

Conducting nominations and voting

Nomination forms and supporting documents should be available from the school office or the Department of Education guidance pages. Where more candidates than vacancies are nominated, a secret ballot is typically held among eligible voters (parents, staff or community members as defined by the school board constitution).

  • Provide a nomination form and clear submission method (in person or by email to the school office).
  • Keep nomination and voting periods to defined dates and publish them to the school community.
  • Ensure secret ballot procedures if required and keep secure records of results and declarations.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement and penalties for breaches relating to school board elections are governed by Departmental policy and state legislation where applicable. Specific monetary fines or prescribed penalties for school board election breaches are not stated on the Department of Education guidance page; see the School Education Act and the Department resources for the controlling instruments [2].

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation (first/repeat/continuing offences): not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: removal or suspension from a board, requirement to re-run an election or administrative directions may apply; specific orders are not specified on the cited page.
  • Enforcer and complaints: local school principal and regional Department of Education office; contact details on the Department website.
  • Appeals and review: review routes are not specified on the cited page; candidates and voters should contact their regional office promptly to seek review or direction.
If you suspect a serious breach, report it to the school principal and the Department regional office without delay.

Applications & Forms

The Department of Education publishes guidance and templates for school board processes, including nomination information and sample forms; any specific form numbers or fees are not specified on the general guidance page and are usually provided by the school or regional office when an election is called [1].

  • Nomination form: provided by the school or regional office; fee: typically none unless stated by the school (not specified on the cited page).
  • Submission: usually to the school office or returning officer by the published deadline.
  • Deadlines: set by the school and published in the election notice.

How-To

  1. Plan timeline and seek Department guidance where needed.
  2. Publish nomination notice and distribute nomination forms to eligible voters.
  3. Receive and record nominations, confirm eligibility of nominees.
  4. If ballots are required, run a secure secret ballot and count according to published rules.
  5. Declare results in writing, publish outcomes to the school community and update board membership records.
  6. Report any disputes to the principal and the Department regional office promptly.
Keep written records of nominations, ballots and the declaration to support transparency and any review.

FAQ

Who runs school board elections in Perth public schools?
The principal and school executive organise the election locally, with guidance and templates from the WA Department of Education; regional offices provide oversight and support.
Do nominees pay a fee to stand for a school board?
No standard fee is specified on the Department guidance page; schools normally provide nomination forms free of charge.
How can I challenge an election result?
Raise concerns with the school principal and the Department regional office as soon as possible; specific appeal time limits are not specified on the general guidance page.

Key Takeaways

  • Use Department templates and regional office advice to ensure consistent, lawful procedures.
  • Publish clear timelines and keep secure records of nominations and counts.
  • Report disputes quickly to the school principal and Department regional office for review.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] WA Department of Education - School boards
  2. [2] School Education Act 1999 - Western Australian Legislation

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