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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 Kingston'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.
See the full explainer, with formulas →

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 $2,034.60, up from a base of $1,980.30. 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 × 0.00182783 (general land)CIV is the market value of land plus buildings. The Valuer-General values every property each year. Other classes pay a different rate in the dollar: extractive and landfill land +300%, and farm land −20%, retirement village land −10% and heritage land −10% (2026–27 budget).
Municipal charge (2026–27)
$100 per rateable propertyUnchanged from 2025–26. It is inside the rate cap.
Waste service charge (2026–27)
Depends on your bins — e.g. $453 for 120 L landfill + 240 L recycling + 240 L greenKingston charges by 'waste choice'. Examples: $376 with an 80 L landfill bin and a 240 L green bin; $339 for 120 L landfill and recycling with no green bin. Most options rose about 12.7%–13.1% on 2025–26. Waste charges aren't covered by the rate cap.
When it's due
4 instalments (30 Sep, 30 Nov, 28 Feb, 31 May), or in full by 15 Feb 2027If you don't pay the first instalment by 30 September, you are automatically moved to the single full payment. You can also pay by 10 monthly direct debits or through Payble (weekly, fortnightly or monthly).Pay your rates →
Interest on overdue rates
10% per yearThe council's payment page says 10% interest applies to overdue rates. That matches the rate fixed under the Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983.
Pensioner concession
Up to $272.70 (state) plus $130.49 (council) in 2026–27For your principal place of residence, if you hold an eligible concession card. Eligible pensioners also get $50 off the ESVF. You need to apply to the council.Pension rebates →
Financial hardship
Payment plans, deferrals and a one-off hardship rebateNo interest is charged during an approved hardship arrangement. The council's rates page says the one-off rebate covers the 2.75% rise for 2026–27. Its hardship page still describes the 3% rise of 2025–26.Hardship support →
Also on your notice: ESVF
Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund — a state levyThe council collects it for the Victorian Government. In 2026–27 the fixed part is $139 for residential and $282 for commercial, industrial and primary production properties, plus a share based on your property's value. It isn't council revenue and isn't covered by the rate cap.About the ESVF →

All 2026–27 figures come from the budget adopted on 26 May 2026. Check your own notice or the council's rates pages for your figures.

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.