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Rates & fees

Rates & fees

Victoria caps how much a council can raise its average rates each year. For 2026–27 the cap, set by the Minister for Local Government and published by the Essential Services Commission, is 2.75%; Mansfield's adopted Budget raises the average general rate and the municipal charge by 2.65%. The cap limits the council's average rate rise, not your individual bill, and it covers general rates and the municipal charge only — the waste charges and the state's Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund on the same notice are outside it.

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
2.65% (the state cap is 2.75%)General rates are budgeted at about $12.12 million and the municipal charge at about $2.96 million, across 8,409 rateable assessments; total rates and charges, including waste charges, about $19.04 million. The budget's base average rate is $1,793.92.
How your general rate is worked out
Capital improved value (CIV) × rate in the dollar, by land category2026–27 rates declared by the council on 30 June 2026, in cents per dollar of CIV: residential 0.1716; commercial 0.2709; vacant land 0.3429; rural residential 0.1475; farmland 0.1046 (the budget document and rates flyer show 0.1715 for residential). So a residential property valued at $500,000 pays about $858 in general rates, before the municipal charge. Valuer-General Victoria revalues every property each year.
Municipal charge
$362 per rateable property (2026–27)Up from $353. Where a single farm enterprise runs across several properties, only one municipal charge is payable; apply to the council.
Why your bill can change by more or less than 2.65%
Your property value relative to othersThe rise applies to the council's average rate. The council adjusts its differential rates each year to keep each sector's share of total rates stable; within a sector, if your property's value rose more than average at revaluation, your general rates rise by more.
Waste charges (2026–27, outside the rate cap)
Unchanged from 2025–26Rubbish $163.70 (80 L), $245.55 (120 L) or $491.10 (240 L); recycling $131.70; green FOGO bin $102.00; community waste charge $76.70 on every rateable property.
Due dates
Four instalments: 30 September, 30 November, 28 February, 31 MayDeclared in the adopted budget. You can also pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly, or arrange direct debit. Assessment numbers and BPAY references changed with a council system update — use the ones on notices issued since January 2026.Ways to pay →
Interest on late payments
10% a yearThe council says interest accrues daily from each instalment's due date at the rate fixed under the Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983, currently 10% a year. Check your notice.
Help if you're struggling to pay
Payment plans and hardship assistanceUnder the council's Rates and Charges Financial Hardship Policy the council may defer part of your rates, agree a special payment arrangement or waive interest. Eligible pensioner concession card holders get a rebate of up to $272.70 on council rates (2026–27) and $50 off the ESVF.
Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF)
A state charge collected on your rates noticeReplaced the Fire Services Property Levy from 1 July 2025. The council collects it and pays it to the state; it is not council revenue and is not covered by the rate cap. The council has stated its opposition to the ESVF.
Disagree with your valuation?
Object within two months of your annual noticeLodge through the state's Rating Valuation Objections Portal. For Mt Buller properties, the council says objections must now be made in writing directly to the council.Object to a valuation →

The rate cap limits the council's average rate rise, not each household's bill. Figures here are from the council's 2026–27 Budget and the rates declared when it was adopted at the 30 June 2026 Council Meeting, and from its rates pages (checked September 2026); confirm against your notice.

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.