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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 Brimbank's budget raises the average general rate and the municipal charge by 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 bins, 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%The budget's capped average rate goes from $1,901 to $1,954 per property. This equals the 2.75% cap set under the Fair Go Rates System run by the Essential Services Commission.
How your rates are calculated
Capital Improved Value × rate in the dollar2026–27 general rates: 0.18085% of CIV for homes, flats and units; 0.38180% for commercial and industrial property; 0.37716% for vacant land. Each is up 2.85% on 2025–26. Other rates apply to commercial/industrial vacant land, retirement villages, farms, and cultural and recreational land.
Municipal charge (2026–27)
$88.98 per rateable propertyUp from $86.52. A flat charge on every property, whatever its value. It is inside the rate cap.
Waste charge — 'Environmental Charge' (2026–27)
$383.70 for a 140-litre general rubbish bin$234.32 for 80 litres, $683.96 for 240 litres (240 L not available as a new service); each includes a 240-litre recycling bin. Up 3.85% on 2025–26. The optional food and garden organics bin costs $103.30 (140 L) or $115.49 (240 L) a year. Waste charges aren't covered by the rate cap.
Public Amenities Cleansing Levy (2026–27)
$99.78Charged to all rateable occupancies for street sweeping and rubbish collection from public places. The council says it only recovers the cost of the service.
When it's due
4 instalments: 30 Sep, 30 Nov, 28 Feb, 31 MayPay online, by BPAY (biller code 93948), by phone, by direct debit, or in person at a customer service centre or Australia Post.Ways to pay →
Interest on overdue rates
Penalty interest rate — currently 10% a yearSet under the Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983. The council's rates page says interest may be charged on late payments but doesn't state the rate, so check your notice.
Pensioner concession
Apply through the Victorian Government's Municipal Rates ConcessionThe council links to the state application form. The concession amount isn't stated on the council's page.Concessions & hardship →
Financial hardship
Hardship applications and payment plansSeparate forms for homes and for commercial or industrial property; approved applicants complete a yearly review. You can also apply for a payment plan. The council adopted an updated Financial Hardship Policy in September 2026, in line with new Ministerial Guidelines.
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. Queries go to the state's ESVF line, 1300 819 033.About the ESVF →

The council's 'How rates are calculated' page still describes 2025–26: a 3.00% cap and the 2025–26 rates in the dollar. The 2026–27 figures above come from the adopted Annual Action Plan and Budget 2026/2027 (§1.1 Rates and charges). The council has also said it asked the State Government to review the ESVF. 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.