The main responsibilities of the county municipality included the running of eight upper secondary schools with about 4,500 pupils.

The Governor was the representative of the King and Government of Norway in the county, functioning as the connection between the state and the municipalities.

The Aust-Agder county council (Norwegian: Fylkestinget) is made up of 35 representatives that were elected every four years.

The council essentially acted as a Parliament or legislative body for the county and it met several times each year.

The council is divided into standing committees and an executive board (fylkesutvalg) which meet considerably more often.