The department will be closed from Monday 23 December 2024 and will reopen on Thursday 2 January 2025. We will respond to queries in the new year. Best wishes for a safe and happy festive season.
Information for local governments to help deliver good governance to the community.
The department provides advice and support to WA's 137 local governments and two Indian Ocean Territories.
We aim to improve the capacity of local governments to respond to community demands and expectations and improve levels of accountability and legislative compliance.
The resources and information in this section are provided to assist local councils to fulfil their legislative obligations and develop best practices.
Services to improve the capacity of local governments to respond to community demands and expectations, levels of accountability and legislative compliance
Supporting and enforcing effective regulation of the local government sector within WA.
The department administers a number of acts of parliament covering a range of issues, and develops and amends acts and regulations within its responsibility.
Local Government Financial Assistance Grants, funded by the Commonwealth Government, are distributed among 137 local governments in Western Australia each year.
LG Alert
The Local Government Amendment Act 2023 included new requirements for the publication of the results of performance reviews of local government chief executive officers (CEOs) and a series of public registers of important information. These reforms deliver on the reform themes of greater transparency and accountability.
Local Government Amendment Act 2024 advances a range of major reforms to the local government sector
The Governor has declared that the Celebration Day for the Anniversary of the Birthday of the Reigning Sovereign (King’s Birthday public holiday) will be observed in 2025 on Monday 29 September.
Re-designing local government financial ratios and indicators for the new Local Government Financial Index.
Remembrance Day is a day of special significance, commemorating the loss of Australian lives in all wars, conflicts and peace operations.
New regulations for local government employees’ long service leave are now in place, providing a raft of improvements for workers across Western Australia.
Local governments to enable temporary accommodation approvals for people camping including caravans and tiny homes on wheels.
Significant reforms to local government move forward with the introduction of the Local Government Amendment Bill 2024 today.
Local governments will benefit from increased support and training resources to help tackle cyber security issues, thanks to a new pilot program.
Local governments in WA are encouraged to have their placemaking initiatives recognised by entering this year’s Minister for Local Government’s Place Innovation Awards.
The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) has released updated Model Financial Statements (MFS) guidance material for 2023-24 for all classes of local governments.
Release of the Local Government Child Safety Self-assessment helps strengthens child safe practices
Feedback to inform new standardised local government meeting procedures will now close on Friday 7 June 2024.
Section 6.26 of the Local Government Act 1995 provides that certain categories of land are not rateable, meaning that a rate bill may not be issued in relation to that land.
New Local Government (Long Service Leave) Regulations 2024 now replace the Local Government (Long Service Leave) Regulations of 1977.
Local government councils must approve, by absolute majority, appointments to the position of chief executive officer (CEO) and their employment contracts.
Guidance material on council and committee meetings has been updated to better support the establishment and operation of committees in accordance with the Local Government Act 1995.
A 3-month consultation period is now open to inform the development of new regulations and guidance materials to standardise local government council and meeting procedures in WA.
Please join us for our first local government reform webinar for this year.
Local government financial and accounting officers are invited to provide feedback on the model financial statements and guidance material we provided for 2022-23.
The department supports the local government sector in the provision of good governance and compliance by monitoring, promoting and enforcing compliance with legislation.
Providing transparency and giving local governments and the public certainty about the department's approach to managing complaints.
The MyCouncil website is a place where you can find out how local governments are raising, spending and managing their money.
An online portal to prepare and submit the 2023 Compliance Audit Return (CAR).
Investigating complaints relating to minor or serious breaches of the Local Government Act 1995 and its subsidiary legislation.
Local government contract information from the current audit firms.
The department administers the Caravan Parks and Camping Grounds Act 1995 (the Act).
A key strategic priority for DLGSC is to develop a supportive environment and provide local governments with the tools to build a transparent, robust, and innovative sector.
On 27 June 2019, changes to the Local Government Act 1995 were passed by Parliament which require all council members to undertake training within the first 12 months of being elected.
Being a council member is a big commitment. This induction course has been developed to assist your understanding of what your obligations and commitments will be if you are elected.
Access free placemaking training through Town Team Movement until July 2024, available for all local government staff and elected members.
Information on how the council election system works.
Information on how rates are set.
The department monitors and provides advice to assist local governments with making their local laws.
Information and guidance materials on parking for people with disability.
The department provides executive support to both the WA Local Government Grants Commission and the Local Government Advisory Board.
A regional subsidiary is designed to be a convenient way for local governments to pool their resources and cooperate more closely with neighbouring districts.
There are no upcoming events.