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Rates & fees

Rates & fees

Rates pay for most council services. In Victoria, the state sets a yearly cap on how much a council can raise its average rates. For 2026–27 the cap is 2.75%, and Bayside's budget raises average rates by exactly that much. The cap applies to the average across all properties, so your own bill can rise or fall by more. It moves with your property's value compared with everyone else's, your waste service, and the state levy printed on the same notice.

New to these terms? Read them in plain English
Pensioner rebate
A discount on rates for eligible pensioners.
See the full explainer, with formulas →

Rates at a glance

2026–27 rate rise
Average general rates + municipal charge: +2.75%From $2,078.22 to $2,135.37 for the average ratepayer (+$57.15). This equals the 2.75% cap set by the Minister for Local Government on 22 December 2025, under the Fair Go Rates System run by the Essential Services Commission.
How your rates are calculated
Capital Improved Value × 0.00106125The 2026–27 rate in the dollar is the same for residential, commercial and industrial land. CIV is the market value of the land plus buildings, from the general revaluation dated 1 January 2026.
Municipal charge (2026–27)
$178.23 per rateable propertyA flat charge on every property, whatever its value. It is inside the rate cap.
Waste service charge (2026–27)
$423.31 for the default 140-litre general waste bin$321.72 for 80 litres, $524.90 for 240 litres; up 2.86% on 2025–26. Waste charges aren't covered by the rate cap. Properties without a council bin pay a $93.30 contribution toward street sweeping, public bins and beach cleaning. The optional food and green waste bin is a separate one-off charge and isn't on the notice.
When it's due
4 instalments (30 Sep, 30 Nov, 28 Feb, 31 May), or in full by 15 FebOr 9 monthly direct debits from 1 October to 1 June. A merchant fee of up to 0.708% applies to card payments.Payment options →
Interest on overdue rates
10% per yearThe rate fixed under the Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983, which has been 10% since 1 February 2017. Bayside's rates page gives 10% for 2025–26. It doesn't yet state a 2026–27 figure.
Pensioner concession
Up to $272.70 off in 2026–27For your principal place of residence, if you hold a Pensioner Concession Card or a DVA Gold Card (TPI). You need to apply to the council.Concessions & hardship →
Financial hardship
Deferral options under the council's hardship policyOptions include a 12-month deferral with no penalty interest, or a long-term deferral repaid when the property is sold. Short arrangements of less than 3 months don't need a full application. The council decides within 10 business days.
Also on your notice: ESVF
Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund — a state levyThe council collects it for the Victorian Government. It replaced the Fire Services Property Levy in 2025. It isn't council revenue and isn't covered by the rate cap.About the ESVF →

The council's 'How rates are set and spent' page still describes 2025–26: a 3% cap, with general rates and the municipal charge frozen that year. The 2026–27 figures above come from the adopted 2026–27 budget. The budget also includes an incentive for early payment, worth about $0.35 million in total. The per-property amount isn't stated on the pages we checked, so see your notice. Check your own notice or the council's rates pages for your figures.

Sources — check it yourself

Figures are current as at the dates shown and may change — always confirm with the linked source. See the notice at the bottom of the page for full details and how to report a correction.