The department provides support and advisory services to 139 local governments, including 2 Indian Ocean Territories.
Our services aim to improve the capacity of local governments to respond to community demands and expectations, levels of accountability and legislative compliance.
There are 2 support services available to local government officers and council members — a general advisory line and a financial policy and accounting help desk. Members of the public with concerns involving their local government should attempt to resolve them directly with their local government.
Find out more about resolving a concern with your local government
Email lghotline@dlgsc.wa.gov.auTelephone 1300 762 5118:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday
To allow for an informed response, it is preferred that complex enquiries are made by email in the first instance.
Questions related to long service leave should be directed to the responsible area of the relevant local government, or if a member, to WALGA's Employee Relations service.
Financial and accounting support for WA’s local government sector.
Guidelines to help local governments work efficiently and effectively.
A guide to meetings for elected members to support their effective participation in council and committee meetings.
However, these do not specifically apply to grant programs and other audit certifications.
Local governments are reminded that the appropriate auditor for such certifications can usually be found in the respective grant agreements and guidelines published by the relevant authorities.
Some grant programs, such as those provided by the Federal Government, require the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) to undertake grant acquittals and complete audit certifications. This is relevant to any agreement where the term ‘state auditor’ is used.
Other authorities only require an audit, which may give the local government discretion to appoint the auditor.
Local governments may request Auditor General and OAG contract auditors for audits and certifications, subject to OAG approval.
Contract auditors are required to satisfy independence and other requirements prior to undertaking grant and other audit work for local governments