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 Casey's budget raises average 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. 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.
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. Casey has no municipal charge, so the cap applies to general rates alone.
- How your rates are calculated
- Capital Improved Value × 0.0021537786One uniform rate in the dollar for all land (no differential rates for business or farm land). It is 1.8% lower than in 2025–26 because property values across Casey rose. The council's own example: a property valued at $400,000 pays $861.51 in general rates, before waste charges, the state levy and any concession.How rates are calculated →
- Waste charge (2026–27)
- Frozen: $468 (120-litre rubbish bin) or $423 (80-litre), incl. FOGOUnchanged from 2025–26. Councillors voted to freeze it, drawing an extra $4.4 million from the council's waste reserve. Homes that get their FOGO bin in November 2026 are charged for it from 1 January 2027, so their 2026–27 notice shows $426.50 (120-litre) or $381.50 (80-litre). Waste charges aren't covered by the rate cap.
- When it's due
- 4 instalments (30 Sep, 30 Nov, 28 Feb 2027, 31 May 2027), or in full by 15 Feb 2027You can also set up weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments through the council's Payble platform. The 9-instalment direct debit option ended on 1 July 2026.Payment options →
- Interest on overdue rates
- Penalty interest rate — currently 10% a year (Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983); check your noticeCasey's rates pages we checked don't state the rate. The 2026–27 budget expects about $2 million in penalty interest.
- Pensioner concession
- Apply to the council with the state's Municipal Rates Concession formFor your principal place of residence, if you hold a Pensioner Concession Card or a DVA Gold Card (TPI or War Widow). Once approved, you don't need to reapply each year. The council's page doesn't state the dollar amount. Eligible pensioners also get a $50 rebate on the state's ESVF levy.Concessions →
- Financial hardship
- Payment plans or extensions under the council's hardship policyThe Rate Payment and Financial Hardship Policy (approved in 2017) allows payment arrangements and, in some cases, a deferral of up to three years. Deferred rates keep accruing interest.Hardship policy →
- 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. The council has said it believes the increased levy puts unfair pressure on ratepayers, and that councils are legally required to collect it.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 →
The figures above come from the adopted Budget Report 2026/27 (section 4.1.1) and the council's rates and waste pages. The budget's rates tables say they were calculated on preliminary valuations. Check your own notice or the council's rates pages for your figures.
Sources — check it yourself
- City of Casey — Budget Report 2026/27, section 4.1.1 Rates and charges (PDF) · 2026–27
- City of Casey — How we calculate your rates · Sep 2026
- City of Casey — Pay your rates notice · Sep 2026
- City of Casey — Kerbside bin changes (FOGO charge from 1 Jan 2027) · Sep 2026
- City of Casey — Concessions on your rates · Sep 2026
- City of Casey — Rate Payment and Financial Hardship Policy · Sep 2026
- City of Casey — Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) · Sep 2026
- Essential Services Commission — Annual council rate caps (2026–27: 2.75%) · Sep 2026
- Supreme Court of Victoria — Penalty interest rates · Sep 2026
- State Revenue Office — Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund · Sep 2026
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.