CEO Remuneration – August 2026
The City of Onkaparinga’s CEO salary increase after a five-month probationary period understandably raises questions, particularly at a time when many households are feeling the pressure of rising living costs and a council rate increase. This page explains why the decision was made, how CEO remuneration is determined, and addresses common misperceptions that our mayor and CEO are one and the same person.
1. Has a decision been made?
The independent review into the CEO’s 6-month probationary period found Sharon Mason “met expectations”, with positive performance against set key performance indicators. This, combined with increases to salary bands for all SA Council CEOs, made by the state government’s Remuneration Tribunal, prompted the salary review.
2. What did Council decide?
Council decided the CEO successfully completed her probation period.
Council decided to increase the Chief Executive Officer's salary to $420,000 per annum.
The $420,000 salary is within the Band 1 remuneration range determined by the State Government’s South Australian Remuneration Tribunal.
The increase was the recommendation of the CEO Performance Management Committee, supported and informed by independent advice.
3. How was the decision made?
There were two meetings on 11 August, involving all elected members.
First, the CEO Performance Management Committee, which comprises all elected members and the Mayor, met for approximately one hour to review the CEO's probation and consider the proposed remuneration.
Immediately afterwards, a Special Council Meeting was held to formally consider and decide on the committee's recommendation.
The Special Council Meeting lasted approximately four minutes because the detailed discussion and consideration had already taken place during the preceding committee meeting.
4. How are council CEO salaries determined in South Australia?
Council does not set the salary bands for council CEOs.
The state government’s South Australian Remuneration Tribunal independently determines the remuneration bands for council CEOs, including the minimum and maximum amounts that apply to each band.
The bands take into account factors such as the size, complexity and responsibilities of each council.
Council then determines the CEO's salary within the applicable remuneration range.
5. Did the state Tribunal adjust the salary bands for 2026?
Yes.
In 2025, the Tribunal invited submissions from all councils about possible changes to the remuneration bands.
The City of Onkaparinga’s submission did not propose any change to its Council Band or Remuneration Range allocation and considered the Remuneration Framework to be appropriate.
In 2026, the Tribunal determined that the upper limits of the remuneration ranges would increase by:
- a one-off increase of 4 per cent to the 2025 levels, to provide greater flexibility for councils with CEOs subject to contracted performance increases; and
- a further 4 per cent increase as part of the Tribunal’s 2026 annual review.
The combined effect is an 8.16 per cent increase to the upper limits of the remuneration bands compared with the 2025 levels.
For the City of Onkaparinga, this increased the Band 1 upper limit from $419,580 to $453,858.
Council considered the CEO’s remuneration and, on 11 August 2026, determined that the CEO’s salary would be $420,000 per annum.
The increase was the recommendation of the CEO Performance Management Committee, supported and informed by independent advice.
6. Has the mayor's salary increased?
No. The mayor and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) are separate roles.
The salary increase announced by Council applies to the CEO, not the mayor.
The mayor role does not attract a salary, it is an allowance set by the state government’s Remuneration Tribunal.
Further information
The resolution from the Special Council Meeting is publicly available through Council's meeting agendas, minutes and records.
Full details of the South Australian Remuneration Tribunal's determination are also available on the Tribunal's website.