Cardinia Shire (VIC) council rates — what you pay and when

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 Cardinia's budget raises average general rates by exactly that much, without applying for a higher cap. The cap applies to the average across all properties, so your own bill can rise or fall by more. It depends on your property's value compared with everyone else's, its rating category, 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: +2.75%In line with the 2.75% cap set by the Minister for Local Government under the Fair Go Rates System, run by the Essential Services Commission. Cardinia has no municipal charge, so the cap applies to general rates alone.
How your rates are calculated: Capital Improved Value × the rate for your property's categoryResidential land outside the Urban Growth Corridor (and retirement villages) pays the base rate, 0.0020885 per dollar of value. Urban residential land in the growth corridor pays 107% of the base rate (0.0022347), farm land 65% (0.0013575) and urban vacant land 210% (0.0043858). Budget 2026–27, section 4.1.1(b), which lists all 11 categories.Budget 2026–27 (PDF) →
New rating categories from 2026–27: 11 categories, up from 7The updated Revenue and Rating Plan, endorsed in June 2026, separates commercial and industrial land, adds rural (non-urban) vacant land, commercial and industrial categories, lowers the farm rate from 75% to 65% of the base rate and raises the urban vacant land rate from 200% to 210%. The council says the residential and urban residential percentages are unchanged, and the change doesn't alter the total the council collects. The review followed a community panel of ratepayers.About the change →
Bin charge (2026–27): $388.60 standard (120-litre rubbish + recycling) or $358.60 (80-litre rubbish + recycling)Up $4.10 on 2025–26. The optional food and garden waste bin is extra: $108.70 (120-litre) or $138.70 (240-litre). Properties without a council bin service pay a litter and waste amenity charge of $170.30 instead. Waste charges aren't covered by the rate cap.
When it's due: 4 instalments or one lump sum, on dates set by the Minister in the Government GazetteYour notice shows the dates. The council also offers direct debit through FlexiRates (weekly, fortnightly, monthly or quarterly), BPAY, Australia Post and its MyCardinia eNotices portal.
Interest on overdue rates: Penalty interest rate — currently 10% a year (Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983); check your noticeThe council's Revenue and Rating Plan says it charges interest at the rate fixed under that Act. The 2026–27 budget expects $934,000 in interest on rates and charges.
Concessions: State pensioner concession, plus a $50 JobSeeker waiverPensioner Concession Card and DVA Gold Card holders can claim the state concession on their principal place of residence at any time in the rating year; once approved, you don't need to reapply while eligible. The council also offers a $50 waiver on a principal place of residence to ratepayers receiving JobSeeker (apply each year). The council's documents we could read don't state the pensioner concession amount.
Financial hardship: Payment plans or deferral under the council's hardship policyThe Rates and Charges Recovery and Financial Hardship Policy sets out payment plans. The Revenue and Rating Plan says no interest is charged during an approved deferral.
Also on your notice: ESVF: Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund — a state levyThe council collects it for the Victorian Government. It isn't council revenue and isn't covered by the rate cap. Pensioner Concession Card and DVA Gold Card holders get a $50 concession on it for their principal place of residence.About the ESVF →
Disagree with your valuation?: Object within 2 months of receiving your rates noticeValuer-General Victoria sets the valuations. Objections are lodged online.Lodge an objection →

Figures come from the council's Budget 2026–27 (the June 2026 document, section 4.1.1), whose rate-in-the-dollar tables are 'based on average annualised rates'. That document's introduction still calls it the draft budget. The council's engagement page says the budget and the updated Revenue and Rating Plan were endorsed at the June 2026 council meeting. The council's rates pages refused our requests, so check your own notice for your figures and due dates.

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.