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 Maribyrnong's budget raises the average general rate and the municipal charge by 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 bins, 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 capped average rate goes from $2,559.32 (base) to $2,629.67 per property. This equals the 2.75% cap set under the Fair Go Rates System run by the Essential Services Commission.
- How your rates are calculated
- Capital Improved Value × rate in the dollar2026–27 rates in the dollar: 0.002658 for homes (and cultural and recreational land); 0.003588 for commercial; 0.004253 for industrial; 0.005316 for vacant residential land; 0.007974 for vacant commercial or industrial land. For a home valued at $750,000, general rates are $1,993.50 (the council's example).How rates are calculated →
- Municipal charge (2026–27)
- $20 per rateable propertyUnchanged from 2025–26. A flat charge on every property, whatever its value. It is inside the rate cap.
- Waste management service charge (2026–27)
- $292.30 (two-bin service) or $352.30 (three-bin service)Unchanged from 2025–26. Covers weekly rubbish and fortnightly recycling collection, and one hard waste collection a year; the three-bin charge includes the food and garden organics bin. Extra or larger bins cost more. Waste charges aren't covered by the rate cap.
- When it's due
- 4 instalments: 30 Sep, 30 Nov, 28 Feb, 31 MayOr pay in full by 30 September. Pay online through MyMaribyrnong or Post Billpay, by BPAY, by direct debit (twice monthly, monthly, quarterly or yearly), at Australia Post, by mail, or in person at 61 Napier Street, Footscray.Ways to pay →
- Interest on overdue rates
- 10% a year (penalty interest rate)The council charges interest on late payments at the rate fixed under the Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983, currently 10% a year.Late payments →
- Pensioner rebate
- Up to $559 a year for eligible pensionersMade up of up to $272.70 from the state's Municipal Rates Concession, up to $236.30 from the council, and $50 off the state's ESVF levy. It applies to your principal place of residence; apply to the council with the concession application form.Apply for the rebate →
- Financial hardship
- Hardship policy and interest-free payment plansApply in writing with your circumstances; the council can defer rates or waive interest in hardship cases. Phone 9688 0200 to talk first. The free National Debt Helpline is 1800 007 007.Financial hardship →
- 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. In the council's $750,000 home example it adds $268.75 (a $139 fixed part plus $129.75 based on value).About the ESVF →
Figures come from the Annual Budget 2026/27 (§4.1.1 Rates and charges), adopted at the Council Meeting on 16 June 2026, and match the council's rates pages. Check your own notice or the council's rates pages for your figures.
Sources — check it yourself
- Maribyrnong City Council — Adopted Budget 2026/27, §4.1.1 Rates and charges (PDF) · 2026–27
- Maribyrnong City Council — Council Meeting minutes, 16 June 2026, item 10.1 Adoption of Annual Budget 2026/2027 (PDF) · Jun 2026
- Maribyrnong City Council — How your rates and charges are calculated · Sep 2026
- Essential Services Commission — Annual council rate caps (2026–27: 2.75%) · Sep 2026
- Maribyrnong City Council — Pay your rates · Sep 2026
- Maribyrnong City Council — Late payments · Sep 2026
- Maribyrnong City Council — Apply for a pensioner rebate on rates · Sep 2026
- Maribyrnong City Council — Financial Hardship · 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.