The Office of Local Government publishes a range of guidelines, codes, practice notes and other guidance for local government.

These generally relate to functions that councils carry out under the Local Government Act, or under other legislation or policy for which the Minister for Local Government is responsible. 

These guidelines and guidance materials aim to support NSW councils to govern in a lawful, prudent, transparent and accountable manner as well as to provide strong and sustainable services to local communities.

OLG also provides guidance to councils through circulars from time to time on a range of matters.

Councils should contact relevant agencies for guidance to support councils to undertake functions under the policies and laws that agency is responsible for administering.

Mandatory and section 23A guidelines and codes

OLG publishes some mandatory guidelines and codes, as well as a range of guidelines that councils must take into consideration under section 23A of the Local Government Act 1993 to support councils comply with important laws. View these guidelines and codes below.

Guidelines and Codes
TopicPublication DateLG Act referenceGuidelines/Codes
Alcohol Free Zones2025Section 646Ministerial Guidelines on Alcohol Free Zones (PDF, 2.5 MB)
Capex Guidelines2010Section 23ACapital Expenditure Guidelines (PDF, 113 KB)
Code of Conduct
Conflict of Interest		2020Section 440Model Code of Conduct for Local Councils in NSW (PDF, 323 KB)
Companion Animals2020Section 23ACompanion Animals Guideline 1 – Registration Agents (PDF, 587 KB)
Companion Animals2015Section 23AGuideline on the exercise of functions under the Companion Animals Act (PDF, 1.6 MB)
Councillor Expenses and Facilities2009Section 252 and Section 23AGuidelines for the payment of expenses and the provision of facilities for Mayors and Councillors in NSW (PDF, 207 KB)
Credit Card2021Section 23AGuidelines on the Use and Management of Credit Cards (PDF, 213 KB)
Debt Management2018Section 23ADebt Management and Hardship Guidelines (PDF, 348 KB)
Development Applications2023Section 23AGuidelines on the withdrawal of development applications (PDF, 670 KB)
Elections – Council Administered2011Section 23AGuidelines for Council Administered Elections (PDF, 130 KB)
Formation of Corporations and Entities2022Section 358Formation of Corporations and Entities (Section 358) Guideline (PDF, 511 KB)
Integrated Planning and Reporting2021    Section 406Integrated Planning and Reporting Guidelines for local government in NSW (PDF, 791 KB)

Integrated Planning and Reporting Handbook for local councils in NSW (PDF, 8.7 KB)
Internal Audit2023Section 23AGuidelines for Risk Management and Internal Audit for Local Government in NSW (PDF, 933 KB)
Investments2010Section 23AInvestment Policy Guidelines (2010) (PDF, 212 KB)
Meetings2021Section 360Model Code of Meeting Practice for Local Councils in NSW (2021) (PDF, 426 KB)
Fireworks2017Section 23AGuidelines for Notification of an Intention to Use Fireworks (PDF, 22 KB)
Parking Agreements2016Sections 650(7) and 650A(8)Free Parking and Strata/Community Parking Area Agreements: Guidelines for Councils (PDF, 500 KB)
Public-Private Partnerships2022Section 400CGuidelines on the Procedures and Processes to be followed by Local Government in Public-Private Partnerships (PDF, 583 KB)
Rating – Special Variations2018Sections 508A and 508(2)Guidelines for the preparation of an application for a special variation to general income (PDF, 825 KB)
Rating – Minimum Rates2018Section 548Guidelines for the preparation of an application to increase minimum rates above the statutory limit (PDF, 481 KB)
Recruitment of senior council executives2022Section 23AGuidelines on the recruitment of senior council executives (PDF, 240 KB)
Staffing – Oversight of GM2022Section 23AGuidelines for the Appointment and Oversight of General Managers (PDF, 1.6 MB)
Stormwater Charge2006Section 23AStormwater Management Services Charge Guidelines (PDF, 291 KB)

Practice notes and other best practice guidance

OLG also publishes practice notes and other best practice guidance on a range of topics to support NSW councils to govern well and to carry out their functions in line with best practice approaches. View these practice notes and best practice guidance below.

TopicPublication datePractice notes/best practice guide
Asbestos2012Guide to Model Asbestos Policy for NSW Councils (PDF, 9.9 MB)
Collaboration and partnerships2007Collaboration and Partnerships between Councils:  A Guidance Paper (PDF, 256 KB)
Companion Animals (Rehoming Animals) Amendment Act 20222022Implementation of the Companion Animals (Rehoming Animals) Amendment Act 2022 – Factsheet (PDF, 100 KB)
Competitive Neutrality1997Pricing and Costing for Council Businesses – A Guide to Competitive Neutrality (PDF, 6.4 KB)
Cyber Security2024Cyber Security Guidelines – Local Government (PDF, 534 KB)
Events Management2011Developing a Council Community Events Policy: A Toolkit for NSW Councils (PDF, 166 KB)
Filming2025Local Government Filming Protocol (PDF, 421 KB)
Integrated Planning and Reporting2003Integrated Planning and Reporting Manual for local government in NSW (PDF, 1.8 MB)
Joint Organisations2018Joint Organisation Implementation Guidelines (PDF, 574 KB)
On-site Sewage Management2025Onsite Wastewater Management Guidelines (PDF, 7.8 KB)
Public Land Management2000Practice Note No.1 – Public Land Management (PDF, 90 KB)
Rating and Revenue Raising2007Council Rating and Revenue Raising Manual (PDF, 793 KB)
Share Bikes Management2018Shared Bicycle Management Guideline (PDF, 1.4 MB)
Street Vending1996Street Vending Guidelines (PDF, 382 KB)
Water Safety2017Practice Note No. 15 – Water Safety – Updated October 2017 (PDF, 6.4 MB)

Local Government Rank to Grade Guide

Aligning veterans’ defence force skills with council jobs

NSW councils are encouraged to make use of a free resource aimed at helping defence force veterans move into the civilian workforce.

The NSW Local Government – Rank to Grade Guide (PDF, 7.3 MB) has been developed to support veterans to apply for roles with local councils by mapping out how ranks within the Australian Defence Force (ADF) align to jobs within the NSW local Government sector.

The guide has been developed by the NSW Veterans Employment Program and Office of Local Government. As well as being a handy reference for job seekers, the guide is also designed to assist recruiters and staff within local councils to better understand how ADF ranks, skills and attributes match up against the local Government award/band levels.

Within the defence forces there are scores of trades and occupations with perfectly transferrable skillsets which would be an asset to teams across council workforces. While the guide helps veterans into a rewarding post-service career, it also provides councils with the opportunity to attract new skills.

Resources