Darebin (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 Darebin's budget raises the average general rate by that much. The cap applies to the average across all properties, so your own bill can rise or fall by more, depending on your property's new valuation. Darebin charges different rates for different types of property, and your bins and public waste services are paid for through separate waste charges that aren't 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: Average general rate: +2.75% (the state cap)The capped average rate is $1,880.31, up from a base of $1,829.98 (budget section 4.1.1(l)). General rates are budgeted to raise $143.2 million from 76,134 assessments. The budget lists no municipal charge.
How your general rates are calculated: Homes: Capital Improved Value × 0.00176097Darebin uses differential rates. 2026–27 rates in the dollar: residential 0.00176097; business 0.00308171; mixed use 0.00246537; vacant residential land 0.00528293; vacant business and vacant retail land 0.00704391; cultural and recreation 0.00154085. The council's own example: a home valued at $600,000 pays $1,056.58 in general rates, before other charges.How rates are calculated →
Waste charges: Kerbside waste service charge: $397.19 in 2026–27Per property receiving the council's kerbside collection, up 11.36% from $356.66 (budget s. 4.1.1(i)). All properties also pay a public waste rate, charged on property value (0.00007715 per dollar of CIV in 2026–27). The council says the waste charge increase is less than $1 a week for most households with kerbside collection. Larger or extra bins are charged on top (see Waste & recycling).Budget (PDF) →
When it's due: 4 instalments: 30 Sep, 30 Nov, 28 Feb, 31 MayOr the next working day. Direct debit can also be set up as a 10-month plan (15 September to 15 June). Annual rate notices are issued in August.Payment options →
Interest on overdue rates: 10% per yearThe council's pay-your-rates page gives the rate fixed under the Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983. It has a Rates Financial Hardship Policy for ratepayers in financial hardship, for their principal place of residence (phone 03 8470 8880).Financial assistance →
Pensioner rebate: Up to $272.70 in 2026–27, plus $50 off the ESVFState Government rebates for Pensioner Concession Card or eligible DVA Gold Card holders, on your principal place of residence. The council says it also applies its own concession automatically to eligible pensioners as at 1 July.Pensioner rebates →
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 from 1 July 2025. It isn't council revenue and isn't covered by the rate cap.About the ESVF →

In the adopted budget, total rates and charges rise 5.46%, to $175.1 million; waste charges (kerbside and public) rise 16.13%, to $31.4 million. Figures come from the adopted 2026–27 budget (section 4.1.1) and the council's rates pages.

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.