Under Section 11 of the Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995, a state is not entitled to receive its grants unless the state's local government grants commission has held public hearings in connection with the recommendations and permitted or required local governing bodies in the state, or associations of those bodies, to make submissions to it in connection with the recommendations

In accordance with the Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995 requirement to hold public hearings the Commission holds advertised annual hearings at which councils and the general public can attend. All councils are invited to participate in the consultation process and attend regional hearings.

In parallel with the annual hearings, the Commission also conducts a rolling program of council visits, where approximately one third of all councils are invited to participate in a visit each year. This program is aimed at the Commission visiting every council at least once every three years. Councils not due for a visit by the Commission, or declining the Commission's visit invitation, are invited to attend a hearing with the Commission.

The Commission will be conducting its 2025 Hearings and Visits in March.​ Members of the public wishing to attend any specific council's hearing or visit will be given the opportunity to pre-register their attendance.​

For details on the outcome and decisions made by the Commission following previous Hearings and Visits, please refer to the relevant sections of the Commission's Annual Reports.