2. Financial analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic continued to affect the sector in 2021–22.

The sector’s financial performance only improved because government funding increased. It would have declined without this financial assistance. The growth in council expenses outpaced the increase in their own source revenue.

Councils’ balance sheets remain relatively strong.

Councils face challenges ahead due to the:

1. Audit outcomes

We gave clear audit opinions for financial reports and performance statements across the local government sector. Parliament and the community can confidently use these reports.

Financial reports and performance statements are reliable

The local government sector

The Victorian local government sector consists of 105 agencies, including 79 councils.