A lifelong Highett local who works in food service and is a union member.
Victorian state election · Legislative Assembly
Bentleigh
A Legislative Assembly district in the Southern Metropolitan region. Election day is Saturday 28 November 2026.
Current member
Nick Staikos, Australian Labor Party
Candidates
Who's running
6 candidates have been announced or preselected for Bentleigh, listed by surname. The VEC draws ballot order and publishes the official list after nominations close at 12 noon on 9 November.
Candidate list: Tally Room 2026 seat guide, checked 5 Nov 2026. 5 of 6 candidates have a profile so far, written by this site from the sources listed with it.
Has lived in Bentleigh for more than 30 years and raised two children there; has worked in the public service.
Draft profile, not yet reviewed · sources (1)
Raising a family in Bentleigh, where the family has lived for more than 70 years; has more than 15 years' private-sector experience.
Draft profile, not yet reviewed · sources (1)
Labor member for Bentleigh, who held the seat at the 2022 election.
Draft profile, not yet reviewed · sources (2)
Recently retired, and running for the Citizens Party.
Draft profile, not yet reviewed · sources (1)
Voting
How to vote in Bentleigh
Two ballot papers
Lower house (Legislative Assembly): you choose the member for Bentleigh, from the candidates above.
Upper house (Legislative Council): you help elect the five members for the Southern Metropolitan Region.
When and where
- Early voting: Wednesday 18 to Friday 27 November
- Election day: Saturday 28 November
How-to-vote cards
Parties and candidates hand out cards showing the order they suggest. They're only suggestions: you can number the boxes in any order you choose. The VEC publishes every registered card on its website.
Filling in your ballot papers
Lower house: On the smaller lower house ballot paper, you need to number every box in the order of your choice.
Upper house: On the larger upper house ballot paper, you can choose to vote above the line or below the line. Whether you choose to vote above the line or below the line, you need to number at least one to five in your order of choice for your vote to count.
Use numbers only, no ticks or crosses. (Source: VEC)
Group voting tickets have been abolished for the upper house, so its ballot paper works differently from 2022. Check the VEC's guide even if you've voted before. (Source: Proportional Representation Society)
Instructions are quoted from the Victorian Electoral Commission, checked 5 Nov 2026.
Your state member
Contact Nick Staikos
- Electorate office
- 723 Centre Road, Bentleigh East, VIC, 3165
- Phone
- 03 9579 7222
- nick.staikos@parliament.vic.gov.au
- Online
- WebsiteFacebookX (Twitter)
Source: Parliament of Victoria, updated 22 Sept 2026.