Our work

The Office of Local Government (OLG) is responsible for strengthening the local government sector, regulating local councils, and advising the NSW Government on local government matters.

We support the state’s 128 councils with the delivery of services to local communities. As we work collaboratively with the sector, we focus on:

  • sustainability
  • performance
  • integrity
  • transparency
  • accountability.

If a council is not performing, we have legal powers to intervene.

Our strategic direction

The OLG Strategic Plan 2022–26 (PDF, 1.3 MB) provides a clear roadmap for the Office of Local Government. It defines our short- and long-term vision, priority goals and the strategies that will help us achieve them.

The OLG is committed to effective collaboration with local councils, county councils, joint organisations and peak sector bodies to help inform the Government’s policy and regulatory frameworks.

Our aim is to strike the right mix of monitoring, intervention, capability improvement and engagement activities.

Cyclists ride past Towradgi Beach Park playground, near Wollongong NSW. Credit: NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure / Dee Kramer

Strategic groups

Sector development

The role of this group is to:

  • develop the sector’s capability and capacity to serve the people of NSW
  • educate the sector on legislative, regulatory and policy responsibilities and accountabilities
  • administer an array of projects and programs that boost sector capability. 
Sector performance

Strengthening our ability to:

  • monitor, measure, and support the performance of councils
  • intervene when challenges arise
  • enforce compliance with regulatory requirements
  • investigate wrongdoing or misconduct within the sector
Service delivery

Programs and activities, with a focus on: 

  • finance, ICT and business services
  • governance and risk
  • how we engage with our stakeholders
Corporate services

Responsible for our:

  • parliamentary and government services
  • legal services and counsel
  • finance advisory services
  • communications and media

Annual reports and corporate documents

The Office of Local Government produces corporate publications to help inform the community about our work.

Information about the Office of Local Government's operation since 2019-20 can be found at the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure annual reports.

Prior to 24 February 2014, the Office of Local Government was a division of the Department of Premier and Cabinet and reported as part of that agency.

Office of Local Government Annual reports
Department of Premier and Cabinet Annual reports
Corporate documents
Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government

The prestigious Minister’s Awards for Women in Local Government celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of women in NSW councils.

Careers with us

View our current vacancies on the I Work for NSW website

Contact us

Contact OLG for inquiries, support, or more information.

Access to information

Apply to access the information we hold

Information and support

An agency of the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, we are subject to the oversight of the NSW Ombudsman. For information on when and how you can make a complaint about your council or the OLG, visit www.ombo.nsw.gov.au