Welcome to the Guide to Local Government

Local government is the tier of government that touches people most closely. In Victoria, there are 79 councils, representing around 5 million people.

To help Victorians understand more about local councils and their role, we have put together this Guide. It provides information about how councils work, how they make decisions, what their key functions are, how they are funded, and much more. The Guide is a great way for Victorians to learn more about this vital part of our government as well as coming to understand how much their council is doing in their local community every day.

While the Guide to Local Government aims to provide general assistance, it is only a guide. Information in the Guide may not take account of all circumstances and you should check with your council for details about arrangements in your area. Also, the guide should not be regarded as representing professional or legal advice, and you should seek your own professional or legal advice before acting on any matter.

We will continue to build the information available in the Guide, as a free online resource, and welcome your feedback. Did the Guide give you the information you were looking for? Was the information easy to find? Please email us your suggestions.

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