The Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council has five elected representatives who are responsible for formulating council policies, corporate plan, operational plan, adopting council budget and making decisions to achieve council goals.

The shire is undivided for electoral purposes. Each councillor represents the overall public interest of the whole area, although council has adopted a portfolio management system.

The mayor and councillors are elected by all voters in the shire. Elections are conducted every four years. The last election was held in April 2016, the next one will be held in April 2020.

Councillors provide the most direct form of representation to the community. Each brings an individual perspective to the decisions council must make on behalf of the community. Background information on each of the councillors as well as details for each councillor is provided on the Elected Representatives page.

Acceptance of the duties and responsibilities of the Mayor and councillors are signified by their declaration of office. This declaration requires the elected members to fulfil the duties of office by acting faithfully and impartially to the best of their judgment and ability and to agree to uphold the council code of conduct. In addition councillors are required to complete a set of forms on councillor interest.

To represent the community effectively councillors are required to attend ordinary monthly council meetings and any other special meeting and to vote on all matters that require a decision or abstain from taking part in the discussions and voting on issues where they have conflict of interest. The role of the councillors and the Mayor is set out in the Local Government Act 2009.

Council authority is exercised as a whole, with decisions being made by the council in the best interest of the community. In this regard the Act provides guidance to the Mayor and councillors on what their roles and responsibilities are and the code of conduct expected of them to observe. The code of conduct provides for penalties ranging from reprimand to disqualification from office. All these are intended to safeguard against the misuse, abuse and miscarriage of power and authority by the elected members.

Ordinary council meeting takes place once a month; unless an alternative date has been agreed to. Meetings are generally held in the council chambers in Napranum.