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Local Councillor salary in Australia
The median full-time salary for a local councillor is $52,000 per annum, before tax, up $10,800 since 2018.
DerivedIndicative estimate, not yet verified against official Jobs and Skills Australia / ABS data · Estimate
- Councillor pay is set by a remuneration tribunal or panel in each state and territory rather than by negotiation, so it varies with the size of the council and with the role you hold, since a mayor or chair is paid more than an ordinary councillor.
- Many councillors treat it as a part-time income alongside another job, and allowances for travel, technology or childcare sit on top in some councils.
- Check your state body's current determination rather than relying on a national figure.
The median salary rose by $10,800 between 2018 and 2024; the dashed line shows a projection to 2028 based on the real ABS Wage Price Index growth rate, not a role-specific forecast.
Roles that pay more than local councillor
The largest typical pay rise is $182,000 a year, moving into Member of Parliament.
- Member of Parliament+$182,000/yr
- Social Worker+$60,900/yr
- Community Development Officer+$43,900/yr
How to negotiate a higher local councillor salary
- Know the market rate before you ask. The median full-time local councillor salary is $52,000; use that, not a guess, as your anchor, and adjust for your experience and employer.
- Lead with what's scarce, not just tenure. Skills like Community engagement and Policy analysis and advice tend to command a premium over general local councillor experience, name them specifically when you ask.
- Bring a real alternative to the table. Member of Parliament pays a typical $182,000 a year more and draws on similar skills, even mentioning you're weighing it up is a legitimate data point in a pay conversation.
- Time it deliberately. Reviews, the end of a project you delivered, or taking on responsibility beyond your job description are stronger moments to ask than an arbitrary date on the calendar.
- Ask for a number, not a raise. "Based on the market rate and [specific contribution], I'd like to move to X" gets a clearer answer than "I think I deserve more."
Local Councillor salary questions
How much do local councillors earn in Australia?
The median full-time salary for a local councillor is $52,000 a year before tax. Seniority, specialisation, sector and the award or agreement you're employed under all move it.
Is local councillor pay rising or falling?
The median local councillor salary is up $10,800 since 2018. Figures from 2025 onward on this page are a projection, not a measured result.
What pays more than local councillor?
Member of Parliament pays a typical $182,000 a year more and draws on similar skills to local councillor.
Related salaries
- Community Development Officer salary
- Member of Parliament salary
- Union Organiser salary
- Liaison Officer salary
- Social Worker salary
- Housing Officer salary
Pay advice
- How to ask for a pay rise, and back it up with real numbersWhat national wage growth looks like right now, how to work out a figure for your own role, wording you can adapt for the conversation, and what to do if the answer is no.
- The average salary in Australia (2026)Full-time adults in Australia averaged $2,083.70 a week in May 2026. Several measures get called the average salary, and this explains which one fits your situation.
- Overtime pay, time in lieu and what your award saysOvertime rates come from your award or agreement, not one national rule. How rates work, what happens on a salary, and how time off in lieu works.