Professional Training Program
In 2006 the APA developed a Local Government Authorised Persons Professional Framework and training package with grant funding from the Local Government Research and Development Scheme.

This Framework has grown out of a widely recognised need to increase the level of professionalism, performance standards, skill and knowledge base of authorised persons employed across Local Government.

The Framework represents an integrated approach to learning that aims to increase the professionalism and effectiveness of the compliance function within Councils.

It also represents an opportunity to increase the level of consistency by which authorised officers are appointed and developed across Local Government.

The Program comprises a series of short courses usually of one day duration. Participants can complete assessments following each short course to obtain a Certificate IV in Local Government (Regulatory Services). Alternatively participants may attend individual short courses to update knowledge and skills without completing any assessments. From the initial 50 plus expressions of interest we received, over 20 participants both from the metropolitan and regional councils have enrolled in the qualification. Feedback from the short course participants has been very positive.

Enrolments are now open for this year including the animal management short courses. If you, or one of your fellow staff, are interested in a short course or completing the Certificate IV please contact Charles Muscat on 82078329 or 8207 8322,  email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You can also visit the TAFE SA website www.tafe.sa.edu.au or download a copy of the course content here. Please note that councils who enrol a staff member in the complete Certificate IV in Local Government (Regulatory Services) may be eligible for Commonwealth Apprenticeship Incentive payments of $4000. I encourage your council’s support of this important initiative.

Local Government Authorised Persons Professional Framework
Like many functions in Local Government, the role of an Authorised Person has increased greatly in its complexity. Councils often experience difficulty in appointing personnel suitably experienced for the role of Authorised Person. Over time it is expected that this issue will become even more critical for Local Government with the retirement of ‘more mature’ Authorised Persons.

An Authorised Person can be appointed by a Council under a diverse range of acts including the Local Government Act, Dog and Cat Management Act, Expiation Of Offences Act, Building Code of Australia (BCA), Fire and Emergency Services Act, Environment Protection Act just to mention a few. In fact, an Authorised Person can be appointed under some 20 pieces of Legislation.

The Framework has grown out of a widely recognised need to increase the level of professionalism, performance standards, skill and knowledge base of Authorised Persons employed across Local Government. The implementation of the Framework will assist Councils in building professionalism and effectiveness in the compliance function. This Framework is also an opportunity to increase the level of consistency by which Authorised Persons are appointed and developed across Local Government.

This project was an initiative of the LG Authorised Persons’ Association (APA), with funding from the Local Government Research and Development Scheme. Peter Graves and Wendy Taylor from Strategon developed the Framework with considerable assistance from the APA, LGA, many people from across Local Government, TAFE SA, the Dog & Cat Management Board and the Country Fire Service (CFS).

The Local Government Authorised Persons’ Association initiated this project to promote a shared understanding in Local Government of the Authorised Person role and to promote the use of professional standards that can be applied across an array of human resource management practices. Our aim is to ensure that the Framework leads to the improved professionalism and effectiveness in the compliance function within Councils.

Although the focus of the Framework has been the development of Authorised Persons it has been designed to consider the needs of others responsible or involved in the compliance function including; managers, team leaders, contractors, allied professions eg planning and building, customer service and administration staff.

Each Council is encouraged to adopt the Framework within their Council’s human resource management practices and commit to the development of those involved in the field.

“The Local Government Authorised Persons Professional Framework is a comprehensive and practical resource that represents a significant opportunity to advance the compliance function in Local Government. The Framework will assist Councils to increase the level of professionalism, performance standards, skill and knowledge base of an Authorised Person, management and other related staff. This Framework is also an opportunity to increase the level of consistency by which authorised officers are appointed and developed across Local Government. Given the level of interaction that the compliance function has with the community, ensuring a professional and effective service can not be underestimated. The community’s perceptions of council can often be formed on the basis of their interactions with the compliance area. I encourage all Councils to implement the Framework and commit to the continued development of their compliance service”.

Wendy Campana
Executive Director
Local Government Association SA
Learn more about the Professional Framework