Lexi Webster
Australia has a federal system of government, with power shared between the federal government and state governments. There are three levels of government in Australia: federal, state or territory, and local. Each level of government has its own responsibilities, although sometimes these responsibilities are shared. Local governments, often called councils, municipalities or shires, consist of two groups: elected members and council staff. They are responsible for local matters such as town planning, rubbish collection, water and sewage, dog registration, and local roads.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of local government bodies | Over 500 |
| Local government bodies called | Councils, municipalities or shires |
| Average number of elected members per council | 9 |
| Chair or head of the council | Mayor or president |
| Local laws made by | Local councils |
| Local councils collect taxes from | All local property owners |
| Local councils receive money from | Federal and state governments |
| Money spent on | Town planning, rubbish collection, water and sewage, dog registration and local roads |
| Main tasks | Regulate and manage services and activities |
| Examples of responsibilities | Traffic lights, dog and cat registration, local roads, footpaths, cycle ways, street signage and lighting, waste management |
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What You'll Learn
Local government bodies
Australia has a federal system of government, with power shared between the federal, state, and local governments. There are over 500 local government bodies across Australia, which are often called councils, municipalities, or shires. Each local government area varies in size and character. For example, the Sydney area is divided into about 35 cities, municipalities, or shires, each with its own local council, while larger country centres like Bathurst or Albury have city or municipal councils.
Local councils make and enforce local laws (by-laws) for their region or district. They are responsible for providing various services to their communities, including local roads, footpaths, cycle ways, street signage and lighting, waste management, town planning, water and sewage, and regulating services and activities like traffic lights and dog and cat registration.
Local governments are funded by collecting taxes (rates) from local property owners and receiving money from federal and state governments. This allows them to manage and spend on local matters, ensuring the particular needs of their communities are met.
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$17.95
Local laws and regulations
Australia has a federal system of government, with power shared between the federal, state, and local governments. There are over 500 local government bodies across Australia, often referred to as councils, municipalities, or shires. Each council has a leader, usually called the mayor or president, and a group of elected members, typically referred to as councillors or aldermen.
Local governments are responsible for creating and enforcing local laws and regulations, known as by-laws, that address specific issues within their respective regions or districts. These by-laws cover a range of topics, including local infrastructure, waste management, and local services. For instance, local governments are in charge of managing local roads, footpaths, cycle ways, street signage, and lighting. They also handle waste management, including rubbish collection and recycling.
One of the key roles of local governments is to regulate and manage local services and activities. This includes overseeing traffic lights and registering dogs and cats. Additionally, they are responsible for town planning and water and sewage management. Local governments collect taxes, known as rates, from local property owners and receive funding from federal and state governments to finance these local initiatives.
While the federal and state governments share responsibilities in certain areas, local governments have the autonomy to address the unique needs of their communities through their by-laws. This allows for a more tailored approach to governance, ensuring that local matters are given dedicated attention and solutions. The creation of local councils by state governments further emphasizes the importance of catering to the specific needs of different cities or communities across Australia.
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Local services
Australia has a federal system of government, with power shared between the federal, state, and local governments. There are over 500 local government bodies across Australia, often called councils, municipalities, or shires. Each local government area varies in size and character. For instance, the Sydney area is divided into about 35 cities, municipalities, or shires, each with its own local council.
Local councils are responsible for making and enforcing local laws (by-laws) for their region or district. They are also in charge of collecting taxes (rates) from all local property owners and receiving money from the federal and state governments to spend on local matters. These include town planning, rubbish collection, water and sewage management, dog registration, and local roads. They are also responsible for regulating and managing services and activities, such as traffic lights and animal registration.
The decision-making body of the local government is typically called the city council or shire council. Councils consist of elected members, usually called councillors or aldermen, and are led by a mayor or president. These members normally serve four-year terms and work alongside council staff.
Overall, local governments in Australia are responsible for providing a range of services to their local communities, ensuring that the particular needs of their regions are met.
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Local taxes
Australia has a federal system of government, with power shared between the federal, state, and local governments. Each level of government has its own responsibilities, with local governments serving the needs of their local communities. Local councils make local laws (by-laws) for their region or district.
Local governments in Australia are typically funded largely by taxes on land value, also known as council rates, on residential, industrial, and commercial properties. Municipal rates are the sole source of local government tax revenue. Local governments also regulate and manage services and activities, such as traffic lights and dog and cat registration.
In addition to land taxes, local governments may also receive funding from other sources, such as federal or state governments. The federal government collects GST revenue and then distributes it to the states under a formula determined by the Commonwealth Grants Commission.
While local governments have some autonomy in taxation and funding, they operate within the broader framework of the Australian Constitution and the relevant state constitution. The states are responsible for everything not listed as a federal responsibility, and there may be areas where both levels are involved.
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Local elections
The country has over 500 local government bodies, often referred to as councils, municipalities, or shires. These bodies consist of two main groups: elected members and council staff. The elected members typically serve four-year terms, and on average, each council has nine elected members, known as councillors or aldermen. The chair or head of the council is usually addressed as the mayor or president.
The local election process in Australia is overseen by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). The AEC is responsible for organising, conducting, and supervising federal elections, ensuring that all eligible citizens can participate in the electoral process. Enrolment on the electoral roll is mandatory for all Australian citizens aged 18 and above. The AEC also sets electoral boundaries and manages the Commonwealth electoral roll.
Campaigning is an integral part of local elections, as it provides candidates and parties with an opportunity to showcase their policies and platforms, allowing voters to make informed decisions. In Australia, the preselection process, where parties choose their candidates, is a significant factor in local elections. While elections are not the platform for specific policy decisions, they are a contest for power between parties.
Voting in local elections follows a preferential voting system, also known as alternative voting or instant-runoff voting. Each voter ranks the candidates in order of preference, and if no candidate receives an overall majority, the candidate with the lowest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed according to the voters' next preference. This process continues until one candidate achieves a majority.
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Frequently asked questions
The three levels of government in Australia are the federal government, state and territory governments, and local councils.
The federal government is responsible for areas that affect the whole nation, such as foreign affairs, social security, trade, immigration, currency, and defence.
The state and territory governments are responsible for matters such as justice, consumer affairs, health, education, roads, public transport, police, and emergency services.
Local governments are responsible for managing services and activities that cater to the needs of their local communities. This includes local infrastructure such as roads, footpaths, cycle ways, street lighting and signage, waste management, building regulations, land subdivisions, public health, and recreation facilities.
