Australian Bureau of Statistics
Celebrating the International Year of Statistics 2013

Local Government Finance News


COLLECTIONS

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) collects and publishes annual Local Government Finance data, including the amount and purpose of local government expenditure. These annual financial data are collected from the Department of Local Government or Grants Commission in each state or territory. The ABS also undertakes a quarterly sample survey of councils.

Annual

The Local Government Statistical Unit (LGSU) of the ABS is currently processing the 2011-12 Annual Data returns supplied by the Department of Local Government/Grants Commission of each state or territory. The financial and function data on these forms are edited and the output used by the ABS to compile Government Finance Statistics (GFS).

Total General Government expenses for the local government sector in Australia were $29.3 billion in 2010-11. The major contributors were expenditure on Transport and communications (22.6%), Housing and community amenities (22%), General public services (19.1%) and Recreation and culture (14.9%).

	2009-10 $m	2010-11 $m
General public services	5 118	5 611
Public order and safety	662	769
Education	155	144
Health	300	332
Social security and welfare	1 599	1 684
Housing and community amenities	6 892	6 451
Recreation and culture	4 107	4 359
Fuel and energy	12	15
Agriculture, forestry and fishing	30	29
Mining, manufacturing and construction	301	356
Transport and communications	5 827	6 640
Other economic affairs	976	1 016
Public debt transactions	453	578
Other	1 078	1 336
Total	27 509	29 323

More financial and function data are published in Government Finance Statistics, Australia (cat. no. 5512.0).

Quarterly

The ABS conducts a quarterly survey of financial information, from a selected sample of councils each quarter. Data for the December quarter were due earlier this month and is currently being processed by the LGSU. Reminders for the next round of quarterly survey data will be despatched in March. Responses are required by 9 April 2013. Early attention to the survey forms enabling a timely return to the ABS will ensure that the financial activity of local government is accurately represented in Australia's National Accounts.

The ABS thanks councils for their cooperation in providing timely and high quality data for these collections. The information provided is used in making important policy decisions concerning the sector and it is important that accurate and timely information is returned by councils to build this data set.


VISITS TO DEPARTMENTS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND GRANTS COMMISSIONS

Each year, the LGSU endeavours to meet with state/territory Grants Commissions or Departments of Local Government to review the recently completed annual collection and to commence preparations for the next cycle. These meetings are to be scheduled in accordance with the forward work program of the LGSU, and usually occur between March and June each year.


CONTACT

For further information or inquiries about Local Government Statistics, contact the Local Government Statistical Unit on (07) 3222 6425 or email t_t.statistics@abs.gov.au.