Local Government Mutual Services
Local Government Mutual Services operates member-owned self-insurance schemes — liability, workers' compensation, and assets — for Queensland local government councils, governed under trust with LGAQ and managed by JLT Public Sector.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersNewstead, Australia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Local Government Mutual Services does
Local Government Mutual Services (LGMS) is a member-owned mutual self-insurance organisation established in 1994 by the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ), which acts as trustee. It operates three interconnected schemes covering public liability (LGM Liability, est. 1994), workers' compensation (LGW Workcare, est. 1998), and council assets (LGM Assets, est. 2015). LGMS serves all Queensland local government councils — city, regional, and shire — providing liability, asset, and workers' compensation coverage alongside risk management services including WHS, claims management, safety audits, and enterprise risk management programs.
The technical platform rests on two proprietary capabilities: catastrophe modelling using geocoded location data that provides state- and industry-wide risk understanding, and a Risk Maturity Assessment Framework used to benchmark member council risk management capabilities. Operational scheme management — including claims handling, risk management, insurance placement, and fund administration — is delivered by JLT Public Sector, a division of Marsh & McLennan Companies. The mutual holds a group workers' compensation self-insurance licence under the Queensland Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act.
LGMS operates as a not-for-profit mutual. Member contributions are determined by individual risk profiles and coverage needs rather than commercial underwriting, and surpluses are returned to members. To date, returns exceed $35 million, with $4.45 million distributed in 2024. Marketing and member engagement are conducted via direct relationship management, WHS forums, content marketing through news and case studies, LinkedIn, and a dedicated member portal. The organisation has 11–50 employees and is headquartered in Newstead, Queensland.
Local Government Mutual Services firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Local Government Mutual Services
- Legal name
- Local Government Mutual Services
- Website
- https://lgms.net.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Local Government Mutual Services operates member-owned self-insurance schemes — liability, workers' compensation, and assets — for Queensland local government councils, governed under trust with LGAQ and managed by JLT Public Sector.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Local Government Mutual Services industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Sector Mutual Insurance
- NAICS
- Other Insurance Funds (52519), Direct Property and Casualty Insurance Carriers (524126), Claims Adjusting (524291)
- SIC
- Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Self-Insured Workers’ Compensation Programs (FSAJAEAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Management Liability (D&O/EPL/Fiduciary) (FSAJAGAD)
Keywords
Where Local Government Mutual Services is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Newstead
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Markets served
Local Government Mutual Services business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Local Government Mutual Services product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Local Government Mutual Services (LGMS) operates member-owned mutual self-insurance schemes providing public liability, asset, and workers' compensation coverage exclusively for Queensland local government councils. The organization delivers three interconnected schemes: LGM Liability for legal liability exposures, LGM Assets for council property and asset protection, and LGW Workcare for workers' compensation, complemented by risk management, WHS, claims management, and safety audit services.
Product overview
LGMS operates as a member-owned mutual organization established by the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) in 1994, offering three interconnected self-insurance schemes: LGM Liability (established 1994) covering legal liability exposures, LGM Assets (established 2015) covering council property and assets, and LGW Workcare (established 1998) covering workers' compensation. The organization provides member services including workplace health and safety, claims management, risk management systems and advisory services. These schemes collectively enable Queensland local governments to manage liability, asset, and workers' compensation risks through collective bargaining power and mutual ownership, returning over $35 million in surpluses to members.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- LGM Liability Mutual self-insurance scheme providing public liability, professional indemnity, councillor and officers liability, employment practices liability, cyber liability, and casual hirers liability coverage for Queensland local government members.
- LGM Assets Mutual self-insurance scheme providing property protection (Industrial Special Risks), motor vehicle, machinery breakdown, marine hull, personal accident (group and voluntary workers), and business travel coverage for council assets.
- LGW Workcare Workers' compensation self-insurance scheme for Queensland councils, providing statutory obligations compliance with 97% return to work rate and specialist claims management services.
- Member Services Comprehensive member services including workplace health and safety, injury management, claims management, risk management systems and advice, risk and safety audits, enterprise risk management programs, community group insurance programs, and asset surveys.
Quantifiable outcome
- $4.45 million in scheme surpluses distributed to LGM scheme members in 2024
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Local Government Mutual Services
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Local Government Mutual Services technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Local Government Mutual Services partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- JLT Public SectorcoreJLT Public Sector, a division of JLT Risk Solutions Pty Ltd (business of Marsh and McLennan Companies), serves as the appointed Scheme Manager. They provide comprehensive services including claims management, risk management, insurance placement, fund management, and consulting services as part of membership.
- Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ)coreLGAQ established LGMS and serves as Trustee on behalf of members. LGAQ appoints the Board and Committees, appoints the Scheme Manager, provides management oversight of schemes, and facilitates QAO audits, member engagement and license renewal processes.
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Local Government Mutual Services competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Statewide Mutual: Statewide Mutual is a member-owned mutual providing liability, property, and other insurance covers to NSW local government councils. Directly comparable to LGMS as a state-level local government mutual with similar scheme structure and member-owned governance.
- MAV Insurance: MAV Insurance is the insurance arm of the Municipal Association of Victoria, providing public sector insurance products to Victorian councils. Comparable as a state-association-governed mutual serving local government with similar schemes and council-membership model.
- LGIS (Local Government Insurance Services): LGIS is a WA-based mutual providing insurance and risk management services to Western Australian local governments. Directly comparable as a state-level mutual focused on local government risks with member-owned structure.
- CivicRisk Mutual: CivicRisk Mutual provides insurance and risk management services to NSW local government entities. Comparable as a state-level mutual serving local government with similar scheme-based coverage approach.
Broad incumbents
- Aon Australia: Aon is a global insurance brokerage with a public sector practice serving Australian local government and councils. Comparable as a broad incumbent competing in alternative insurance placement and risk advisory for the same council customer base.
- QBE Insurance Australia: QBE is a major Australian general insurer with local government and public sector product lines. Comparable as a broader commercial incumbent offering property, liability, and motor cover that competes with LGMS' mutual pools for council budgets.
- Allianz Australia: Allianz Australia is a major general insurer with public sector and local government offerings. Comparable as a broader commercial alternative to mutual schemes for property, motor, and liability coverage of council assets.
- Marsh (JLT Public Sector): Marsh, parent of JLT Public Sector, is LGMS' appointed Scheme Manager and a global insurance broker with deep public sector expertise. Comparable as the operational insurance partner and a broader incumbent providing insurance placement, claims, and risk management services to government clients.
- Arthur J. Gallagher Australia: Arthur J. Gallagher is a global insurance brokerage with an Australian public sector practice. Comparable as a broader incumbent broker providing insurance placement and risk advisory services to local government entities.
Others
- Honan Insurance Group: Honan is an Australian mid-market insurance brokerage with public sector and niche scheme expertise. Comparable as an enabling intermediary that could partner with or compete against LGMS for member council risk advisory and broking services.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Local Government Mutual Services social profiles
Digital presenceLocal Government Mutual Services financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Local Government Mutual Services leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Local Government Mutual Services subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Local Government Mutual Services funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Local Government Mutual Services M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Local Government Mutual Services
What does Local Government Mutual Services do?
Local Government Mutual Services (LGMS) operates member-owned mutual self-insurance schemes providing public liability, asset, and workers' compensation coverage exclusively for Queensland local government councils. The organization delivers three interconnected schemes: LGM Liability for legal liability exposures, LGM Assets for council property and asset protection, and LGW Workcare for workers' compensation, complemented by risk management, WHS, claims management, and safety audit services.
Is Local Government Mutual Services a public or private company?
Local Government Mutual Services is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Local Government Mutual Services founded?
Local Government Mutual Services was founded in 1994. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Local Government Mutual Services based?
Local Government Mutual Services is headquartered in Newstead, Australia, in the Oceania region.
Who are Local Government Mutual Services's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Statewide Mutual, MAV Insurance, LGIS (Local Government Insurance Services) and CivicRisk Mutual. Broad incumbents are Aon Australia, QBE Insurance Australia, Allianz Australia, Marsh (JLT Public Sector) and Arthur J. Gallagher Australia. Honan Insurance Group is listed as an others.
Does Local Government Mutual Services have an API?
No public API is recorded for Local Government Mutual Services.
What industry is Local Government Mutual Services in?
Local Government Mutual Services's product category is Public Sector Mutual Insurance. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAJAEAD, Self-Insured Workers’ Compensation Programs, with a secondary code of FSAJAGAD, Management Liability (D&O/EPL/Fiduciary). Its NAICS code is 52519 and its SIC code is 6411.