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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 Greater Dandenong'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: the budget puts the average residential increase at 2.12% after revaluations. Homes also pay a Residential Garbage Levy, which depends on the bins you choose and isn'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
General rates: +2.75% (the state cap)The budget raises general rates to $157.97 million, the maximum allowed under the 2.75% cap set by the Minister for Local Government under the Fair Go Rates System. Greater Dandenong has no municipal charge.
How your general rates are calculated
Capital Improved Value × 0.0015067430 (houses, flats and units)Other rates in the dollar: 0.0025614632 for commercial, 0.0032394975 for industrial, 0.0022601146 for vacant residential land and 0.0011300573 for farms. For the median home, valued at $710,000, the budget gives general rates of $1,069.79 (up 2.12%).Understanding rates →
Residential Garbage Levy
$547 for the standard bin option (A); $425 to $524 for the othersSet by the bin option you choose (A to F), and includes $106 for the state waste levy. Up $31 (6%) on 2025–26 for option A. It pays for rubbish, recycling and garden waste collections and hard rubbish. Not covered by the rate cap. Vacant land is exempt. For the median home, general rates plus the option A levy come to $1,616.79, up 3.40%.Bin options and charges →
Keysborough South Maintenance Levy
$350 a year, Keysborough South estates onlyPays for maintaining the extra open space in those estates, under agreements made when they were developed. The budget expects it to raise $1.8 million.About the levy →
When it's due
4 instalments: 30 Sep 2026, 30 Nov 2026, 28 Feb 2027, 31 May 2027If a due date falls on a weekend or public holiday, payment is due the next business day. You can also register for flexible payments (weekly, fortnightly, monthly or quarterly direct debit) to spread payments until 31 May. There is no discount for paying early.Payment options →
Interest on overdue rates
Penalty interest rate — currently 10% a year (Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983); check your noticeThe budget says interest is charged on rates and charges not paid by the due date, without stating the rate. You can apply for a payment plan, and under the council's hardship policy it may defer or, in some cases, waive part of your rates.Payment plans & hardship →
Pensioner concessions
Victorian Government pensioner rates concession — apply to the councilFor eligible pensioner concession card holders and DVA Gold Card holders (war widow or TPI), on your home address. Health care card holders aren't eligible. A separate $50 concession applies to the ESVF.Concessions →
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.About the ESVF →

Figures come from the adopted 2026–27 budget (section 4.1.1, adopted 15 June 2026) and the council's rates and bin pages. The bin-option amounts on the council's page include the $106 state waste levy; the budget's table shows the council charge and the levy separately (for example $441 + $106 = $547 for option A).

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.