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
From 1 July 2023 there will be changes to the delivery of the inter-library loans service in Western Australia.
Local governments have obligations to provide valuations for financial reporting purposes.
Changes to wards
National Sorry Day, 26 May 2023 and National Reconciliation Week, 27 May to 3 June 2023
The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) has released the Model Financial Statements (MFS) guidance material/templates that includes tiered and reduced financial reporting for local governments aligned with the State Government’s reform agenda.
The Local Government Amendment Bill 2023 has passed through Parliament delivering tranche one of the most significant changes to the local government sector across Western Australia in more than 25 years.
A free forum for people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds considering standing for local council.
Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 May 2023
ANZAC Day is a day of special significance to all Australians, particularly for our serving military personnel and returned veterans.
The first tranche of reforms to the Local Government Act 1995 is progressing through Parliament.
To give our local government stakeholders the best possible communications experience, DLGSC has developed a short survey about LG Alerts and our other methods of talking to you.
Local Government Minister, the Hon John Carey MLA has presented the Local Government Amendment Bill 2023 to the WA Parliament.
Local governments should already be planning towards the adoption of their budget by council on 31 August.
A Local Government (COVID-19 Response) Amendment Order 2022 (the Order) was made by the Minister for Local Government and published in the Government Gazette on 24 June 2022.
The Local Government Act 1995 and Local Government (Audit) Regulations 1996 provide for the Auditor General to conduct annual financial statement and performance audits of local governments.
Patricia Au, Senior Manager of the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) is inviting local government stakeholders to a virtual roundtable discussion.
Local governments to review and improve on system issues to protect against cyber threats in accordance with the Office of the Auditor General report – Information Systems Audit Report 2022 – Local Government Entities.
In accordance with regulation 14 of the Local Government (Audit) Regulations 1996, local governments are required to carry out a compliance audit return for the period of 1 January to 31 December of each year.
Funeral Service for His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (1927 - 2022)
The Local Government Advisory Hotline service provides local government officers and elected members with support and advice related to the Local Government Act 1995.
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 2022 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.
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.