The Inspector will only consider complaints that relate to breaches, offences or non-compliance with the Local Government Act 1995 and supporting regulations.
The following table is not exhaustive, so please consider the additional information in this section.
| What the Inspector can look into: | What the Inspector can't look into: |
Matters such as: ✔ misuse of position by a councillor ✔ conflict of interest ✔ failure to disclose a gift ✔ disclosure of confidential information ✔ providing false or misleading information about a complaint | Matters such as: ✗ planning and building permits ✗ services such as waste collection ✗ parking infringements ✗ rates charges |
It is important to note that complaints that are frivolous, vexatious, trivial, misconceived or without substance will not satisfy the initial assessment.
Please remember only certain types of matters about local governments, council members, council staff or local government elections can be investigated.
Complaints related to the following can't be accepted by the Inspector:
- Disputes between individuals
- Private organisations such as:
- building and construction companies
- banking, credit, insurance or superannuation
- electricity water or gas
- rental agreements
- Members of Parliament
- WA Police
- WA government agencies
- Universities and TAFEs
- Australian government bodies such as:
- Centrelink
- Australian Taxation Office
- Services Australia
- Australia Post
- Decisions made by courts and tribunals
Other agencies or authorities may be more appropriate to help you with your complaint. Find the right agency or authority in the table below:
| If your complaint is about: | Make your complaint to: |
| Decision making or actions of a local government in providing services to the public where you are personally impacted. | Ombudsman WA |
| Serious misconduct by either a council member or an employee of a local government. | Corruption and Crime Commission |
| Minor misconduct by an employee of a local government. | Public Sector Commission |
| An election conducted by the Western Australian Electoral Commission. | Western Australian Electoral Commission |
Council Decisions
The Inspector is unable to accept complaints based solely on disagreement with a council decision.
Complaints can only be considered if there are concerns about how the decision was made, for example, if proper procedures were not followed or there was a conflict of interest.
The Inspector’s role is to assess whether the decision was made in a lawful way, not to overturn or alter the decision itself.
