Brisbane's civic leader said he had no idea he had been nominated or shortlisted until contacted by the media.

He would not comment on whether he thought he was deserving.

"My focus is on getting on with the job and working to make Brisbane an even better place to live," Newman told brisbanetimes.com.au.

The competition website says it aims to raise the profile of mayors and "honour those who have served their communities well and who have made contributions to the well-being of cities nationally and internationally".

Past winners include Melbourne's former mayor John So (2006) and Cape Town's Helen Zille (2008).