Local Government Legislators
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
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.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Local Government Legislator. Although most workers have a university or Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification.
Tasks
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Develops local government policy, and formulates, amends and repeals legislation and by-laws.
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Helps constituents with a range of problems.
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Introduces proposals for government action and represents public and electoral interests.
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Issues policy directions to government departments and exercises control over local government authorities.
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Attends community functions and meetings of local groups to provide service to the community, gauge public opinion and provide information on government plans.
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May present petitions on behalf of concerned groups.
Characteristics
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University
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Enterprising
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Helping
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Sedentary
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Legislators, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 60% of people employed as Local Government Legislators work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 6 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 51 hours per week in their main job. This is 7 hours more than the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Local Government Legislators work in the Public administration and safety industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Local Government Legislators | All Jobs Average |
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NSW | 20.8 | 31.6 |
VIC | 19.5 | 25.6 |
QLD | 31.5 | 20.0 |
SA | 8.8 | 7.0 |
WA | 11.9 | 10.8 |
TAS | 5.2 | 2.0 |
NT | 1.7 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.5 | 1.9 |
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Around 61% of Local Government Legislators live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Queensland and Tasmania have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
The region with the largest share of workers is Queensland - Outback.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Local Government Legislators is 56 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 65 years and over.
Females make up 46% of the workforce. This is similar to the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Local Government Legislators | All Jobs Average |
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15-19 | 0.0 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 1.2 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 7.8 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 13.1 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 22.4 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 13.1 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 16.5 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 25.9 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 56 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Local Government Legislator. Although most workers have a university or Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification.
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.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Local Government Legislators | All Jobs Average |
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Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 18.0 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 27.0 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 16.6 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 13.4 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 10.6 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 3.8 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 10.5 | 12.5 |
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.
Skills and Knowledge
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Interests and demands
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Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.