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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 Boroondara's budget raises general rates by exactly that much. The cap applies to the average across all properties, so your own bill can rise or fall by more, depending on how your property's value changed. Waste charges are not covered by the cap.

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
General rates: +2.75% (the state cap)The budget raises $197.15 million in general rates, up 2.75% on the annualised 2025–26 amount. This equals the cap set by the Minister for Local Government under the Fair Go Rates System. Boroondara has no municipal charge and no differential rates: homes and businesses pay the same rate in the dollar.
How your general rates are calculated
Capital Improved Value × 0.0013348019The same rate applies to residential and non-residential land. The council's example: a property with a CIV of $1,650,000 pays $2,202.42 in general rates, before other charges. The Valuer-General revalues properties every year.How rates are calculated →
Waste charge (depends on your general waste bin)
80-litre $339 · 120-litre $615 · 240-litre $1,4892026–27 charges. The 80-litre charge is also the minimum for each residential property. A 240-litre bin is only for households of 4 or more people ($1,215 as a concession for a specific medical condition). Every rateable property also pays a $154 Waste Environment Levy. The council expects waste charges to rise by 6.6% on average, which it says reflects the state landfill levy.Waste charges →
When it's due
4 instalments (30 Sep 2026, 30 Nov 2026, 28 Feb 2027, 31 May 2027), or in full by 15 Feb 2027Or 10 monthly direct debits from 31 August 2026 to 31 May 2027 (registration closed 22 August). Paying in full by 31 August 2026 earned a 2% discount on council rates and charges.Payment options →
Interest on overdue rates
Penalty interest rate — currently 10% a year (Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983); check your noticeThe council's pay page doesn't state the rate. The 2026–27 budget says that for ratepayers eligible for the state pensioner rebate, the rate is the lower of the council's investment earning rate (4.48% at 31 March 2026) or the state rate. You can apply for a payment plan online.Payment plans & hardship →
Pensioner rebate
State Municipal Rates Concession — apply to the councilFor Pensioner Concession Card or DVA Gold Card (War Widow or TPI) holders. The form comes from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. The council's page doesn't state the 2026–27 amount.How to apply →
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. It isn't council revenue and isn't covered by the rate cap. ESVF support line: 1300 819 033.About the ESVF →

Figures come from the adopted 2026–27 budget (section 8.1, Rates and charges) and the council's rates pages. The council's 'what your rates pay for' page says that of every $100 it spends, $35.16 goes to capital works and priority projects and $15.69 to environment and waste. Rates notices go out in August.

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.