Aim <p>Community engagement plays a crucial role in preventing and managing <i>Aedes</i>-borne mosquito disease outbreaks, such as dengue. There is limited research on the engagement approaches used in high-income country contexts with existing research suggesting a preference for top-down vector control relying on one-way communication to engage and mobilize at-risk communities. The reasons behind why authorities use certain engagement approaches over others are underexplored. This study explores the community engagement approaches used in <i>Aedes</i> mosquito management in Townsville, Australia, and the factors influencing the choice of these approaches.</p> Methods <p>The study used a case study design employing two qualitative methodologies: semi-structured key informant interviews (<i>N</i> = 15) and a review of key documents (<i>N</i> = 13). Both inductive and deductive approaches were used to thematically analyse the data.</p> Results <p>A range of approaches were used to engage the community in <i>Aedes</i> mosquito management. From mass media campaigns and door-to-door inspections, to engaging the community in <i>Wolbachia</i> mosquito-releases, and helping authorities with indoor spraying during outbreak response. The factors influencing the choice of these approaches included legal obligations and regulatory compliance, vector control norms, leadership beliefs, human and financial resourcing.</p> Conclusions <p>This study provides new insights into why authorities adopt specific community engagement approaches in <i>Aedes</i> mosquito management, within a high-income country context. It identifies barriers to enhancing community engagement and suggests strategies for addressing them in future planning. These findings are particularly relevant given the increasing <i>Aedes</i> mosquito risk in similar high-income country settings.</p>