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Overview

The Local Government sector (what we call local councils or shires) may have once been mainly involved in 'roads, rates and rubbish removal', but they now provide local leadership in community, economic and infrastructure development.  

They offer an increasing range of social services and functions that may once have been performed by the states or Australian government.

What does this industry cover?

  • Administration
  • Planning
  • Waste & land management
  • Health and environment
  • Regulatory services
  • Operational works
  • Community services

Industry Information

There are over 562 councils & shires across Australia, the majority of which are regional or rural. The local government sector employs approximately 192,500 persons across Australia in some 400 different occupations.

Local governments are often significant employers and require a diverse workforce that encompasses a wide range of occupations. Therefore working at your local council can offer diverse and rewarding job opportunities.

Employment and wage data for this industry

Apprenticeships Employment Size

This is a small industry for Australian Apprenticeship commencements. In the year to September 2018, commencements were: 97

Source: VOCSTATS, extracted on 28/03/2019. AATIS analysis.

Commencements Change

Commencements in the year to September 2018 in this industry have increased, compared with the previous year.

Source: VOCSTATS, extracted on 28/03/2019. AATIS analysis.

Apprentice Employment Outcomes

For Australian Apprentice graduates from this industry, employment outcomes are high.

Source: NCVER National Student Outcomes Survey, 2017, unpublished. AATIS analysis.

Industry Employment Size

This is a medium to large sized industry compared with other Australian industries.

Source: Department of Jobs and Small Business, 2018. AATIS analysis.

Industry Employment Change

Over the past 5 years, change in employment in this industry has increased.

Source: Department of Jobs and Small Business, 2018. AATIS analysis.

Industry Wage

The average wage of all employees in this industry is medium to high.

Source: Department of Jobs and Small Business, 2018. AATIS analysis.

Key Occupations

Local Government Environmental Administration Officer

Local Government Operations Worker

Local Government Regulatory Officer

Coordinator Road Maintenance Worker

This industry is positioned in the following groups

Industry Group

Government, Schools, Public Safety & Corrections

Work Types

Helping & Advising

Organising & Clerical

Practical & Manual

Ready to see where Local Governments can take you?

Career Pathways

The Local Government has career pathways from Certificate II through to Diploma. Look at the Job Pathways Chart to see what is of interest.

Job Pathways Charts

MyGain - YouTube Channel

Watch videos on apprentices in various industries and their rewarding experiences while completing an apprenticeship.

MyGain

Support Services

Apprenticeship Network Provider Finder

Apprenticeship Network providers can give information about starting an apprenticeship or traineeship, eligibility questions, and they also handle the paperwork and ongoing administration of apprentices and trainees.

Group Training Organisations Finder

Group Training Organisations employ apprentices and trainees and then host them out to employers. These organisations can provide great information about starting a career through Australian Apprenticeships.

Work Type Explorer

Search for Job and Training Descriptions by selecting from seven work type descriptions. For more details, take yourself through the Career Interest Explorer.

Further Research

Information

Industry information is published by peak level associations, government and major employers.  Accessing industry association sites, including member lists, is a good way of building up an understanding of an industry.  Visiting employer websites and looking for careers or employment menus helps identify how employers recruit and the skills they are recruiting.

Use Google to search for the associations and organisations listed below. 

Industry

  • Local Government Association NSW (LGNSW)
  • Local Government Association NT (LGANT)
  • Local Government Association QLD (LGAQ) 
  • Local Government Association SA (LGASA) 
  • Local Government Association Tasmania (LGAT)
  • Local Government Association WA (WALGA)
  • Municipal Association of Victoria  (MAV) 
  • Australian Local Government Association (ALGA)

Other useful links

  • Skills IQ

Career SItes