Before deciding whether to nominate for election it is vital that intending candidates fully understand the roles and responsibilities prescribed for councillors. These roles and responsibilities are detailed in the Local Government Act 2009 and in the online publication A guide to the Local Government Act 2009 for mayors and councillors.

Local government principles establish that the primary accountability of a local government is to its community, and decisions must be made for the benefit of the entire local government area.

Councillors who represent a division must also ensure decisions benefit the whole area and not just the interests of the division they represent.

Mayors and councillors are required to comply with the Integrity Act 2009 and the Queensland Contact with Lobbyists Code and are expected to ensure contact with lobbyists is conducted in accordance with public expectations of transparency, integrity and honesty.