ABC managing director David Anderson has declined to accept a pay rise, saying it would be inappropriate given he only recently took on the role and the squeeze on the broadcaster's budget.

Mr Anderson turned down the 2 per cent pay rise awarded to him by the Remuneration Tribunal, an independent body that oversees the salaries of top bureaucrats and politicians.

ABC managing director David Anderson has turned down a payrise. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

"This was a personal decision by Mr Anderson, who said considering he was only appointed to the position of MD in May 2019, he did not think it appropriate to accept the pay increase after being in the role permanently for less than two months," an ABC spokesman said.

"Mr Anderson also said that as the ABC goes about managing further budget cuts, declining the increase is the right thing for him to do as the managing director of the organisation."