Local Government in Australia

Local government in Australia is the third and lowest tier of government, administered by the states and territories which in turn are beneath the Commonwealth or federal tier. Unlike New Zealand, the US or the UK, there is only one level of local government in all states, with no distinction such as counties and cities. Today, most local governments have equivalent powers within a state, and styles such as "shire" or "city" refer to the nature of the settlements they are based around.

The local governing body is generally referred to as a council (thus "Burwood Council" or "Casey City Council"), and the territories governed are collectively referred to as "local government areas"; however, terms such as "city" or "shire" also have a geographic interpretation. There are currently 565 local councils in Australia.

Despite the single level of local government in Australia, there exist a number of quite extensive areas with relatively low populations which are not a part of any local government area. Powers of local governments in these areas may be exercised by special purpose bodies established outside of the general legislation, as with Victoria's alpine resorts, or directly by state governments.

Local government in Australia is an exclusive "power of the states or territories" and therefore the precise nature of councils referred to as local government can differ between each state or territory. Despite this, they occupy a similar role in each state.

  • Local government areas of New South Wales
  • Local government in Victoria
  • Local government in Queensland (List)
  • Local government areas of Western Australia
  • Local government areas of South Australia
  • Local government areas of Tasmania
  • Local government areas of the Northern Territory
  • The remaining territories are not divided into territory and local government.
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Read more about Local Government In Australia:  Local Governments By Type and State, History, Types of Local Government, Constitutional Position of Local Government, Powers and Functions

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