Finance with impact – your skills, your community

The financial sustainability challenge for councils

Councils across Australia are custodians of public money, managing community funds to deliver essential services and infrastructure. Councils manage around 33% of Australia’s public infrastructure, yet raise just 3.6% of total national taxation revenue. Many rely heavily on federal Financial Assistance Grants, which have declined significantly in real terms over the past three decades.

Together with rising costs, ageing infrastructure, and growing responsibilities, councils are increasingly being asked to “do more with less.” Some councils are facing a financial sustainability challenge, described by the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) as a “financial sustainability emergency.”

In this environment, sound financial management is critical to ensuring essential community services continue. Councils’ finance teams play a vital role in safeguarding the effective use of public funds and ensuring long-term sustainability.

Use your finance skills to shape local communities

Finance professionals play a central role in supporting councils to balance budgets, manage infrastructure investments, and allocate funds responsibly. Whether working as accountants, analysts, finance officers, or CFOs, these professionals help councils deliver value to their communities.

Unlike the private sector’s focus on profit, local government finance is about transparency, accountability, and delivering services that matter to real people. Every dollar managed by council finance teams supports community outcomes.

A growing demand for finance skills

According to the Future Skills Organisation 2025 Workforce Plan, Australia faces a national shortfall of around 250,000 skilled workers in finance, technology, and business roles by 2030. The finance sector alone could see a shortage of approximately 64,000 professionals.

Local councils are feeling this shortage acutely, particularly in rural and regional areas. ALGA reports that 9 in 10 councils are struggling with skills shortages, including in their finance and business support teams.

This makes now an ideal time for finance professionals to consider local government roles, where their skills are increasingly valued.

Why finance professionals should consider Local Government

• Variety: Work ranges from operational finance and revenue management to long-term planning and asset management.
• Strategic Influence: Finance teams advise senior leaders and councillors.
• Purpose: Public sector finance focuses on community outcomes, not for profits.
• Security and Progression: Councils offer stable roles and career growth.

Finance professionals in councils are responsible for public money, balancing operational needs with long-term community sustainability.

Building a future-ready finance workforce

Councils are not just looking for experienced finance staff, they are actively working to develop their future workforce through training and entry-level programs.

Cadetships

Paid cadetships provide university students studying finance, business, or accounting with part-time work in councils, alongside their studies. Cadets gain real-world experience, mentorship, and clear career pathways post-graduation.

Traineeships

Traineeships combine paid work with nationally-recognised vocational qualifications, such as:

• Certificate II, III, or IV in Financial Services
• Certificate III or IV in Accounts Administration
• Diploma of Local Government (Rates)

These programs provide a practical entry point for school leavers, career changers, or those looking for a career in finance in local government.

State programs supporting finance roles

Across Australia, targeted workforce development initiatives are helping councils build capability in key areas such as business administration and finance. These programs provide funding and support to recruit apprentices, trainees, and cadets into skills-shortage roles, while enabling participants to complete recognised qualifications.

By combining practical, on-the-job experience with formal training, these initiatives strengthen local government workforces, create sustainable career pathways, and help ensure councils have the skills they need to deliver for their communities.

Financial sustainability starts with people

As councils grapple with financial sustainability pressures, the importance of skilled finance professionals has never been clearer. From experienced accountants to new trainees, finance teams are essential to managing public funds, maintaining critical services, and supporting community wellbeing.

For finance professionals seeking work that combines professional challenge with real-world impact, local government offers a meaningful career path – one where you can become a guardian of public money while supporting the communities that rely on it.

Discover more about a local government finance career and explore current opportunities here.

Sources:

• Australian Local Government Association: Local Government Financial Sustainability
• Future Skills Organisation: 2025 Workforce Plan Executive Summary
• Careers at Council: Entry Level Opportunities