Publications

These documents explain key processes for local councils and relevant reports by the Office of Local Government.

Gazetted Instruments

• Community Engagement Charter (PDF, 254.6 KB)
• Behavioural Standards for Council Members (PDF, 155.9 KB).
• Determination of the amount of gift and benefit reporting under ss72A and 119A of the Local Government Act 1999 (PDF, 144.9 KB).
• Determination of the form of returns for the register of interests for members and officers (PDF, 248.8 KB).
• Determination of the designated day for the adoption of council behavioural management policies (PDF, 145.1 KB).
• Specified Registered Industrial Associations (PDF, 304.1 KB)
• Section 270 Review Application Fee  (PDF, 523.4 KB)
• Schedule of Representation Reviews (PDF, 109.7 KB)
• Representation Reviews - Notice to Vary Relevant Period for District Council of Coober Pedy (PDF, 81.2 KB)

Prescribed Documents

• 2025 Model Financial Statements (PDF, 3.5 MB)
• Better Practice Model - Internal Financial Controls (PDF, 1.5 MB)
• LGA Training Standards for Council Members

State/Local Government Economic Partnership Accord

• State/Local Government Economic Partnership Accord (PDF, 1.1 MB) - Signed 13 November 2025

Guidance papers

• Guidance Paper No. 1 - Appointing a Chief Executive Officer (PDF, 290.9 KB)
• Guidance Paper No. 3 - Subsidiaries - Ministerial Approval (PDF, 338.8 KB)
• Guidance Paper No. 5 - Community Land Revocation (PDF, 308.0 KB)

Previous Codes of Conduct

• Code of Conduct for Council Members (PDF 206KB) - repealed on 17 November 2022 and replaced by the Behavioural Standards for Council Members.
• Code of Conduct for Council Employees (PDF 41KB) - repealed on 17 November 2022.

Discussion papers

• Explanatory Paper - Local Government (Rate Oversight) Amendment Bill 2018 (PDF, 466.2 KB) and Local Government (Rate Oversight) Amendment Bill 2018
• Explanatory Paper - Local Government (Boundary Adjustment) Amendment Act 2017 (PDF, 328.2 KB)
• Explanatory Paper - Local Government (Boundary Adjustment) Amendment Bill 2016 (PDF, 636.9 KB)
• Council Members' Personal Interests - Discussion Paper (PDF, 175.3 KB)
• Local Government in South Australia: Improving Governance - Discussion Paper (PDF, 250.7 KB)

Reports

• Community Engagement Handbook (PDF, 1.3 MB) provides councils with a model framework for effective planning and implementation of processes
• Community Engagement Showcase (PDF, 966.8 KB) highlights leading practice examples of councils engaging their communities
• Local Government Boundary Reform Board Final Report - September 1998 (PDF, 1.8 MB)

Review of local government elections

• Review of 2014 Local Government Elections - Discussion Paper and Table (PDF, 212.9 KB)
• November 2011 - Report on Local Government Elections 2010 (PDF, 96.4 KB)
• March 2008 - Independent Review of Local Government Elections (PDF, 551.7 KB)
• February 2001 - Report on Local Government Elections 2000 (PDF, 325.1 KB)