Government Legislation & Publications: New South Wales

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visitors are kindly advised that this website includes images, sounds and names of people who have passed.

All users should be aware that some topics or historical content may be culturally sensitive, offensive or distressing, and that some images may contain nudity or are of people not yet identified. Certain words, terms or descriptions may reflect the author's/creator's attitude or that of the period in which they were written, but are now considered inappropriate in today's context.

Key to library resources

Access anywhere with a library card In the Library (or anywhere with a Library card for NSW residents)
Available to access in the library Only in the Library
Publicly available online Publicly available

Historical Ordinances

Local Government Act 1919 (NSW) Ordinances - historic editions

Numerous ordinances were made under the Local Government Act 1919 (NSW).  

The following lists will help you identify the Ordinance you are after:

About the Local Government Act 1919 (NSW)

Bluett's Local Government Handbook

The State Library holds copies of each edition since first published in 1920.  This handbook is invaluable for historic research:

What are Ordinances?

Ordinances was the term previously used for laws passed by subordinate legislatures, especially by the ACT and Northern Territory legislatures before self-government. 

Reprints of the Local Government Act 1919 (NSW)