See payment options above.
Overview
The Diploma of Local Government (Planning) has been developed through extensive consultation with the Local Government sector. This vocational training pathway is designed to provide practical knowledge and technical skills and is fully contextualised for Local Government in Western Australia.
The program is delivered by professionals with extensive expertise in their respective fields. By learning from our passionate subject matter experts, participants can use this program as a stepping stone towards further study or a higher education degree.
This 18-month Diploma program is specifically designed for Local Government Officers who have worked in an administrative, technical or supporting role related to Town Planning for the past few years and now wish to advance their career by obtaining a formal nationally recognised qualification.
The program equips participants with the skills and tools necessary to understand Local Government legislation including planning schemes and instruments, interpret relevant compliance requirements, contribute to policy and procedure development, engage effectively with the community, and work efficiently across teams and departments. Officers will learn to navigate the complex structure of Local Government frameworks and apply governance principles to ensure compliance in their roles.
The specialisation in Town Planning will prepare Officers to undertake minor planning assessments and develop an understanding on how Local Governments manage the protection of heritage and cultural assets.
The qualification has been developed according to the requirements of the Local Government Training Package (LGA) and has been approved for delivery by the Training Accreditation Council (TAC).
Course Information
- Completion of Year 12 or equivalent or the completion of the Certificate III in Local Government or similar.
- Currently employed at a WA Local Government in an administrative support role ideally in the Planning Team.
- The recommended timeframe to complete the Diploma of Local Government is 18 months. However, participants have the flexibility to complete the program in as little as 12 months or extend it to 24 months, depending on class availability.
- This program is delivered through a variety of learning methods including weekly virtual classroom sessions (Zoom), online resources, self-paced research, class preparation and regular mentoring support.
- The three (3) Town Planning units start off with a 2-day workshop at WALGA in West Leederville before continuing with weekly classroom session.
- The program is not available as a self-paced option.
- On successful completion of this course and if you have been found to be competent in relation to each of the Units of Competency you will be issued with an AQF Qualification LGA50120 Diploma of Local Government.
Training Program Outline
- LGACOR001 Work in local government (Core)
- LGAPLA001 Interpret and apply development planning legislation, schemes and instrument
- LGAPLA002 Perform minor development assessments
- LGAPLA005 Protect heritage and cultural assets
- BSBXCM501 Lead communication in the workplace (Core)
- BSBOPS505 Manage organisational customer service (Core)
- LGAREG003 Manage conflict situations in a regulatory environment
- PSPLEG003 - Promote compliance with legislation in the public sector
- LGACOR005 - Represent council in the community
- LGACOR008 - Provide advice to council
- BSBOPS504 Manage business risk (Core)
- BSBWHS521 Ensure a safe workplace for a work area (Core)
Training Program Cost
The cost of the Diploma program includes all training sessions (face to face at WALGA and via ZOOM), training resources, individual student support and assessment fees.
| LGA50120 Diploma of Local Government (Planning) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Option 1 | Payment made by the Local Government upfront – 1 Purchase Order must be submitted on enrolment | $12,000.00 |
| Option 2 | Payments made by the Local Government over 3 equal instalments – Purchase Orders for each instalment must be submitted on enrolment | 3 payments of $4,500.00 (total $13,500.00) |
| Option 3 | Payment made by student – WALGA Training will limit student payments to a maximum of $1,500.00 per payment | $12,000.00 |
| Option 4 | Town Planning Specialisation Stream Units ONLY
OR Payment made by student – WALGA Training will limit student payments to a maximum of $1,500.00 per payment | $4,500.00 |
Note: Nationally Recognised Training is GST free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trainers and Assessors provide support to learners throughout their study term during class time and through follow-up emails or chats on designated training days. Additionally, the WALGA Training support team is available to answer questions, issue regular progress reports to both students and supervisors, and address any arising issues to ensure successful program completion.
Upcoming Course Dates
| Dates | Delivery Method | Duration | Fees | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, 5 February 2026 (Registrations close on Wednesday, 27 January 2026) | Virtual | N/A |
See payment options above. |
Register here |
