About Your Rates
Council rates are a property-based tax. Therefore, the rates you pay are based on the value of the property you own. The Capital Improvement Value of the property is multiplied by the rate in the dollar set by the Council.
Watch the video below to find out what rate capping is and how rates are calculated.
For the period 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023 the rates are:
| Rating Category |
Calculation |
Explanation |
| General Rate |
0.002622 cents in the $
e.g. CIV $100,000 x 0.002622
= $262.20 rates |
Applies to urban residences. |
| Vacant Land Rate |
0.004719 cents in the $
e.g. CIV $100,000 x 0.004719
= $471.90 rates |
Higher than the general rate to encourage development. |
| Farm Rate |
0.002097 cents in the $
e.g. CIV $100,000 x 0.002097
= $209.70 rates |
20 per cent lower than the general rate. Criteria includes size of property (minimum 2 hectares) and major use. |
| Commercial and Industrial Rate |
0.003408 cents in the $
e.g. CIV $100,000 x 0.003408
= $340.80 rates |
Land is used predominantly for a commercial or industrial purpose. |
| Urban Living Rate |
0.002359 cents in the $
e.g. CIV $100,000 x 0.002359
= $235.90 rates |
10 per cent lower than the general rate. |
| Residential Development Land Rate |
0.003408 cents in the $
e.g. CIV $100,000 x 0.003408
= $340.80 rates |
Higher than the general rate to encourage development of subdivided land. |
Councils have significant powers to enforce the payment of rates and charges. The Local Government Act 1989 empowers Councils to charge penalty interest for late payment of rates and charges (s.177) to recover outstanding monies as a debt (s.180).
If your rates are not paid by the appropriate due dates then interest is charged at the rate of 10 per cent per annum on any amount outstanding. If you are paying by instalments then interest will be charged on the late instalment from the date that the instalment was due.
If you are unable to pay your rates either by lump sum or by four instalments you need to contact Council's Revenue Office to arrange a weekly, fortnightly or monthly arrangement to suit your budget.
If you change your residential or mailing address you must advise Council's Revenue Office in writing as soon as practicable. You must also notify the Australian Electoral Office of your change of address as Council uses these details when it prepares the Voter's Roll.
If you sell your property, a Notice of Disposition must be lodged within one month of the date of the settlement. If you have engaged a Solicitor or a Conveyancing Agent, then they will normally attend to this on your behalf.