The local government areas of New South Wales in Australia have been subject to periodic restructuring by the Government of New South Wales, involving voluntary and involuntary amalgamation of areas. The state government currently classifies local governments into two categories: Areas and Cities. A city is an area that has received city status by proclamation of the Governor. Some areas retain designations they held under prior legislation, even though these titles no longer indicate a legal status. These are:

1. Municipalities (predominantly inner-city suburban areas and smaller rural towns)
2. Shires (predominantly rural or outer suburban areas).