Councillors and mayors across Queensland are set to receive a pay rise of up to 3 per cent.

The state’s Local Government Remuneration Commission (LGRC) believes the increase will help attract and retain talented candidates, particularly in regional areas. 

The pay rise, which will take effect from 1 July 2025, applies to all local councils except Brisbane City, where pay levels are decided separately by an independent tribunal.  

The LGRC’s 2024 annual report (PDF) outlined the adjustments, noting the need to address growing responsibilities faced by local leaders. 

The increases vary by council size and workload. Officials in major urban councils like the Gold Coast, Moreton Bay, and Sunshine Coast will receive a 2.5 per cent boost, while those in smaller councils, including Barcoo Shire and Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire, will see a 3 per cent rise.  

For councils in the highest category, such as the Gold Coast City Council, the mayor’s annual salary will increase to $286,239, with councillors earning $170,819. 

By contrast, mayors in smaller councils like Richmond Shire and Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire will earn $122,975. 

The report acknowledges a persistent disparity between urban and rural council salaries but noted that higher increases for smaller councils are part of efforts to narrow the gap.  

The LGRC’s decision factored in financial sustainability and inflationary pressures, with officials citing the importance of ensuring council wage growth does not overburden local budgets.

The Commission also considered the challenges of environmental and social governance, alongside community expectations for robust local leadership.  

A recurring theme in the report was the desire to draw more diverse candidates into local government roles. 

The LGRC says that regional councils often face difficulty attracting candidates for what are increasingly complex and demanding positions.  

Brisbane City Council was excluded from the current determinations as its remuneration is reviewed under a separate process, next scheduled for 2026. 

The LGRC noted that no requests had been received to expand its role into areas such as setting guidelines for councillor advisors.  

Looking ahead, the LGRC has indicated it will continue refining the remuneration framework and addressing concerns about pay equity. 

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