On 1 January 2026, the Inspector commenced formal operations following proclamation of the changes to the Local Government Act 1995 (the Act).
The Inspector is an independent statutory officer with clear powers to investigate, monitor, and enforce local government compliance.
Supported by a team of inspectorate officers, the Inspector plays a critical role in safeguarding integrity and accountability across local governments.
Key compliance measures introduced
- Appointment of the Local Government Inspector as an independent statutory officer.
- New powers to appoint specialist monitors for early intervention.
- Replacement of the Standards Panel with legal adjudicators for faster decisions.
- Strengthened investigatory powers and higher penalties for serious or systemic non-compliance.
- Updated financial penalties to enhance deterrence.
What the Inspector does
Under the Act, the Inspector is empowered to:
- Intervene early to prevent escalation of governance failures.
- Provide pathways for resolution to avoid full-scale intervention.
- Ensure greater accountability and effective decision-making.
- Deliver education and information to promote compliance and improve conduct.
- Promote community confidence and trust.
The Inspector’s functions are distinct from the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS). While LGIRS focuses on policy and sector support, the Inspector provides independent regulatory oversight, compliance monitoring, and timely enforcement action when necessary.
The Inspector’s graduated regulatory approach incorporates complementary functions to the Department in building capability through insight and guidance.
Why it matters
Local governments are entrusted with significant powers and resources. They are integral to the cultural, economic, and social fabric of our communities. Ensuring they operate with integrity, transparency, and accountability is essential for good governance and public confidence.
The Inspector’s approach is guided by principles of proportionality, independence, fairness, and transparency. Education and collaboration are central to our work, but where conduct falls short of statutory obligations and public expectations, timely and decisive regulatory action is necessary.
Learn more
The regulatory approach document sets out the principles that underpin the Inspector’s priorities and explains how they are applied in practice. It reflects a forward-looking model of oversight that is proportionate, independent, and consistent with a modern regulatory environment.
Download the Local Government Inspector's Local Government Regulatory Approach to understand how we work with local governments, LGIRS, and sector stakeholders to uphold good governance and build trust in local democratic institutions:
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