The council area, previously an Aboriginal reserve held by the Queensland Government, was transferred on 21 October 1985 to the trusteeship of the council under a Deed of Grant in Trust. On 24 April 2002, the council’s name was changed from Poruma Council to Poruma Island Council.
On October 21, 1985, the council area, which had been an Aboriginal reserve under Queensland Government control, was transferred to the council's trusteeship. On April 24, 2002, the council’s name changed from Poruma Council to Poruma Island Council.