2026 comprehensive determination
The Tribunal has made a new comprehensive Determination setting the value of the allowance for mayors, deputy mayors and councillors. The Determination takes effect from 1 July 2026.
Values of base allowances from
1 July 2026
The base allowances payable to mayors, deputy mayors and councillors from 1 July 2026 are set out in the table below.
Base allowance ($ per annum)
| Councillor | Deputy mayor | Mayor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category A | 35,000 | 45,807 | 103,400 |
| Category B | 38,500 | 50,388 | 124,080 |
| Category C | 45,500 | 59,549 | 146,640 |
| Category D | 49,000 | 64,130 | 157,920 |
| Category E | 65,193 | 151,441 | 302,881 |
The allowance category to which each council has been assigned is set out below.
Transitional arrangements
Transitional arrangements are in place for deputy mayors or former deputy mayors of councils in Category B, C or D whose term as deputy mayor commenced in, or encompassed any part of, the period of 1 July 2026 to 31 August 2026 (both dates inclusive). From 1 July 2026 until the expiry of the relevant term only, the value of the base allowance for a deputy mayor that these arrangements apply to are set out in the table below. Please refer to the Allowance payable to Mayors, Deputy Mayors and Councillors (Victoria) Determination No. 01/2026 for further information.
Transitional value of the base allowance for some deputy mayors of councils in Categories B to D, from 1 July 2026 until the end of their term ($ per annum)
| Category B | 59,152 |
| Category C | 73,159 |
| Category D | 73,159 |
Council allowance categories
The allowance category to which each Council has been assigned is set out below.
Remote area travel allowance
The remote area travel allowance is payable for each day that a mayor, deputy mayor or councillor spends travelling to, or returning from, an Eligible Location that is more than 50 kilometres from the location that they normally reside in, based on the shortest possible practicable road distance.
The term Eligible Location means the location or locations specified for the conduct of ordinary, special or committee meetings of the council, or any municipal or community functions which have been authorised by council resolution for that councillor to attend.
If a councillor is required to undertake travel on more than one day in order to attend a particular event at an Eligible Location, then the remote area travel allowance may be claimed for each day that travel is undertaken.
From 1 July 2026, if the shortest possible practicable road distance between the Eligible Location and the location that the councillor normally resides in is more than:
- 50 kilometres and no more than 100 kilometres, the amount they are entitled to be paid per day is $50.60.
- 100 kilometres, the amount they are entitled to be paid per day is $101.20.
Each mayor, deputy mayor or councillor can receive no more than $6,325 in remote area travel allowance in any one financial year.
Determination in effect
On 18 August 2026, in accordance with section 23A of the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal and Improving Parliamentary Standards Act 2019 (Vic), the Tribunal made the Allowance payable to Mayors, Deputy Mayors and Councillors (Victoria) Determination No. 01/2026.
The Determination applies to every mayor, deputy mayor and councillor in all 79 councils in Victoria.
The Determination sets a base allowance for each councillor, the value of which varies according to the role (mayor, deputy mayor or councillor) and the allowance category to which the council has been assigned.
The Determination also provides for a remote area travel allowance, and sets eligibility criteria for claiming it.
Previous determinations
Find information about previous determinations and the allowances for mayors, deputy mayors and councillors prior to 1 July 2026.
Updated