More than 300 candidates contest a Queensland general election. An average of four candidates run for each of the 89 districts.

Basically to qualify as a candidate for a State general election, you must:

• be an Australian citizen on the Queensland roll
• be nominated by six electors in the contested district, or be endorsed by a registered political party
• not be disqualified from nominating
• have paid a $250 deposit, in cash or by bank cheque. This deposit is refunded if the candidate gains more than four per cent of formal first preference votes.

The Parliament of Queensland Act 2001 contains a detailed list of issues a candidate must cover in order to run in a State general election.

How do I become a candidate?

The Electoral Commission’s Candidates' Guide will give you the information you need to become a candidate for the next State general election.

To run as an unendorsed candidate you must complete the Candidates' Nomination Form. You can lodge your form with the Returning Officer for the electoral district you want to contest, or deliver it to the Commission. Include your $250 deposit, in cash or by bank cheque, along with the form.

If you are a candidate endorsed by a registered political party, the party’s registered officer will organise the nomination form. You will be asked to sign your consent to the nomination.

Queensland Parliament has prepared a Code of Conduct for Parliamentarians, which contains important information for anyone considering becoming a candidate.

Prospective candidates are also requested to read the information contained in the Media Release by the Chairman of the Crime and Misconduct Commission on 17 August 2006 and also the brochure A message to all State Government Candidates, which was recently released by the Crime and Misconduct Commission.

Candidates’ Agents

A candidate may appoint an agent to take care of funding and financial disclosure issues, or can choose to be their own agent.  If no Appointment of Agent form is lodged, the candidate is deemed to be the agent.

Complete the Appointment of Agent form and send it to the Commission.

Scrutineers

Scrutineers are appointed by a candidate to observe the polling and counting procedures during an election. For more details on the role of the scrutineer, view the Guide for Scrutineers.