5.7 km2 and the largest by area is Central Darling Shire Council 53,492 km2. There are 129 local government areas in the state as of December 2022.

Local government authorities provide a wide range of services. The most important of these are the general services of administration, health, community amenities, recreation and culture, roads and debt servicing throughout the area controlled by the council. Councils also provide a range of trading activities, mainly in country areas