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
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.
Regulation 33A of the Local Government (Financial Management) Regulations now requires local governments to undertake a review of their 2023-24 annual budget no earlier than 31 December 2023 and no later than 29 February 2024.
Local governments must organise for new council members to undertake mandatory training.
Local governments, community members, animal rehoming services, vet practices and other stakeholders are encouraged to have their say on proposed new Dog and Cat Regulations before public consultation closes on 5pm 20 November 2023.
Remembrance Day is a day of special significance, commemorating the loss of Australian lives in all wars, conflicts and peace operations.
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 2024 on Monday 23 September.
Please join us for our monthly reform webinar.
A State Funeral Service for the Honourable William (Bill) George Hayden AC will take place at 9.00 am AWST on Friday 3 November 2023 at St Mary’s Church, Elizabeth Street, Ipswich, Queensland.
Local governments will need to prepare for their first Council meeting post election.
From 1 September 2023, local governments are required to disclose information about each transaction made on a credit card, debit card or other purchasing cards.
The State Government has brought in the next set of local government regulation amendments with the Local Government Regulation Amendment Regulations (No. 3) 2023.
DLGSC has engaged the Town Team Movement to deliver free placemaking training for the whole local government sector in WA.
Section 6.4 of the Local Government Act 1995 sets out the obligations of local governments with regards to their annual financial reporting.
The next local government reform webinar is scheduled for Friday 22 September.
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.