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Local Government Councils determine service provision according to local needs and the requirements of the various State, Territory and Local Government Acts. As local community needs become more complex, Councils are increasingly providing services beyond those traditionally associated with Local Government. Examples of current Local Government functions and services include:
- engineering (public works design, construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, footpaths, drainage, cleaning, waste collection and management)
- recreation (golf courses, swimming pools, sports courts, recreation centres, halls, kiosks, camping grounds and caravan parks)
- health (water sampling, food sampling, immunisation, toilets, noise control, meat inspection and animal control)
- community services (child care, elderly care and accommodation, refuge facilities, meals on wheels, counselling and welfare)
- building (inspection, licensing, certification and enforcement)
- planning and development approval
- administration (of aerodromes, quarries, cemeteries, parking stations and street parking)
- cultural/educational (libraries, art galleries and museums)
- water and sewerage, in some States
- commercial compliance (abattoirs, sale-yards, markets and group purchasing schemes).
 Unlike local government in many other OECD countries, Australian Local Governments do not have primary responsibility for services such as health (hospitals), education, policing and public housing. These services are provided by state and territory government and non-profit and charitable organisations.
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