Local government legislation

The Department administers legislation to provide for the good governance of all Queensland local governments. It ensures local governments are accountable, effective, efficient and sustainable.

Key legislation

Local Government Act 2009 and Local Government Regulation 2012
This Act provides for the way in which a local government is constituted and the nature and extent of its responsibilities and powers and a system of local government in Queensland that is accountable, effective, efficient and sustainable.

City of Brisbane Act 2010 and City of Brisbane Regulation 2012
This Act provides for the way in which Brisbane City Council is constituted and the unique nature and extent of its responsibilities and powers and a system of local government in Brisbane that is accountable, effective, efficient and sustainable.

Local Government Electoral Act 2011 and Local Government Electoral Regulation 2023
This Act provides for the transparent and equitable conduct of elections of councillors of Queensland's local governments. The Act also ensures and reinforces integrity in Queensland’s local governments.

Key resources

Download fact sheets about local government legislation:

Significant changes to legislation

2023	The Local Government (Councillor Conduct) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2023 (November 2023) Read more about councillor conduct complaints system reforms.
2023	The Local Government Electoral Regulation 2023 (June 2023) Read more about the new Local Government Electoral Regulation 2023, which repeals and replaces the Local Government Electoral Regulation 2012.
2023	The Local Government Electoral and Other Legislation (Expenditure Caps) Amendment Act 2023 ( May 2023) Read more about Expenditure caps.
2021	Further extension of temporary COVID-safe measuresPublic Health and Other Legislation (Further Extension of Expiring Provisions) Amendment Act 2021 In September 2021, the Public Health and Other Legislation (Further Extension of Expiring Provisions) Amendment Act 2021 extended temporary COVID-safe measures relating to by-elections, local government meetings and investigations being conducted by the Office of the Independent Assessor until 30 April 2022.
2021	Extension of temporary COVID-safe measures COVID-19 Emergency Response and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2021 In April 2021, the COVID-19 Emergency Response and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2021 extended temporary COVID-safe measures allowing councils to set rates and charges outside of budget meetings and to hold meetings by audio or video link. New COVID-safe measures relating to by-elections called on or before 30 September 2021 were also established.
2020	Amendments to the vacancies process COVID-19 Emergency Response and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2020
2020	Clarifying management of councillor interests Electoral and Other Legislation (Accountability, Integrity and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2020 (July 2020) and Local Government Legislation (Integrity) Amendment Regulation 2020 (August 2020) Read the detailed information paper (PDF, 962KB).
2020	Temporary changes for meetings and elections Local Government Electoral (2020 Quadrennial Election) Regulation 2020 (March 2020) Read the summary of the temporary changes (PDF, 491KB).
2019	Implementing Belcarra Stage 2 Local Government Electoral (Implementing Stage 2 of Belcarra) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2019 and Local Government Legislation (Implementing Stage 2 of Belcarra) Amendment Regulation 2019 (November 2019) Read the detailed information paper (PDF, 192KB).
2019	National Competition Policy and overdue rates Local Government Legislation Amendment Regulation 2019 (July 2019) Read the explanatory note.
2018	New councillor complaints system Local Government (Councillor Complaints) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2018 (May 2018) and Local Government Legislation (Councillor Complaints and Other Matters) Amendment Regulation 2018 (November 2018)
2018	Implementing Belcarra Stage 1 Local Government Electoral (Implementing Stage 1 of Belcarra) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2018 (May 2018)
2017	Election donation disclosures Local Government Electoral (Transparency and Accountability in Local Government) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2017 (May 2017) and Local Government Electoral (Transparency and Accountability in Local Government) Amendment Regulation 2017 (July 2017).
2016	Employee superannuation arrangements Revenue and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2016 (December 2016).
2015	Fraud management Local Government Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2015 (October 2015).
2015	Electronic voting Local Government Electoral Amendment (No. 1) Regulation 2015 (October 2015).

Last updated: 28 Nov 2023