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 Frankston's adopted budget raises the average general rate and municipal charge 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 + municipal charge: +2.75%The budget's rate-cap table gives a capped average rate of $1,877.84, up from a base of $1,827.61. The 2.75% cap was set under the Fair Go Rates System run by the Essential Services Commission.
- How your rates are calculated
- Capital Improved Value × 0.00194478 (general rate, 'other land')CIV is the market value of land plus buildings. Other classes pay a different rate in the dollar (2026–27 budget): commercial, industrial and vacant residential land 0.00243098; retirement village land 0.00145859; farm land 0.00155582; vacant land in the Frankston city centre (FMAC) and on the Nepean Highway, and derelict land, 0.00583434. Every rate in the dollar is 4.36% lower than in 2025–26, because total property values rose.Differential rates →
- Municipal charge (2026–27)
- $193.40 per rateable propertyUp from $188.25 in 2025–26. It is inside the rate cap.
- Waste service charge (2026–27)
- Standard four-bin pack: $510.50 (80 L rubbish) or $608.40 (120 L rubbish)Both include 240 L recycling, an 80 L glass bin and a 240 L FOGO bin; packs with a 120 L FOGO bin ($457.40 and $555.30) are for multi-unit developments. These are 4.4% and 2.8% lower than in 2025–26. Services without FOGO rose: $397.30 (80 L) and $499.20 (120 L). Waste charges aren't covered by the rate cap.Waste service charge →
- When it's due
- First instalment by 30 September 2026Annual notices were issued in the first week of September 2026, and the notice is also your first instalment notice (no reminder is sent). The council's pages we checked don't list the later instalment dates; its bill-smoothing page schedules payments through to 31 May 2027. Check your notice. You can pay by 9-month direct debit, BPAY, online, by phone or at a customer service centre.How to pay →
- Interest on overdue rates
- 10% per yearThe council's payment page says interest is fixed under the Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983 at 10% a year, charged from the date the rates were due.
- Pensioner concession
- Up to $322.70 in 2026–27Made up of 50% off your council rates up to $272.70, plus $50 off the state levy on the same notice. For your principal place of residence, if you hold an eligible pensioner or DVA card. You need to apply to the council.Rates concession →
- Financial hardship
- Payment plans (weekly, fortnightly or monthly)The council also points ratepayers to free financial counselling from Good Shepherd on 1300 765 595.Hardship support →
- 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. Some council rates pages still call it the Fire Services Property Levy, the levy it replaced.About the ESVF →
All 2026–27 rates figures come from the budget adopted on 11 May 2026 (section 4.1.1). Check your own notice or the council's rates pages for your figures.
Sources — check it yourself
- Frankston City Council — Budget 2026–27, section 4.1.1 Rates and charges (PDF) · 2026–27
- Frankston City Council — Minutes, Council Meeting 11 May 2026, item 12.4 Adoption of Budget 2026–2027 (PDF) · May 2026
- Frankston City Council — Differential rates · Sep 2026
- Frankston City Council — Waste service charge · Sep 2026
- Frankston City Council — How to pay your rates · Sep 2026
- Frankston City Council — Bill smoothing payment plan · Sep 2026
- Frankston City Council — Rates concession · Sep 2026
- Frankston City Council — Financial hardship · Sep 2026
- Essential Services Commission — Annual council rate caps (2026–27: 2.75%) · 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.