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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 Melton'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, the waste charge, 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 capped average rate is $1,940, up from a base of $1,888. This equals the 2.75% cap set by the Minister for Local Government under the Fair Go Rates System run by the Essential Services Commission.
How your rates are calculated
Capital Improved Value × rate in the dollarThe 2026–27 General Rate is 0.20609 cents per dollar of CIV (down from 0.21158 after revaluation). Other categories have their own rates, for example vacant land 0.35035, commercial/industrial developed land 0.32974 and rural land 0.14838 cents per dollar.Rating categories →
Municipal charge (2026–27)
$194 per rateable propertyUp from $189. A flat charge on every property, whatever its value. It is inside the rate cap.
Waste service charge (2026–27)
$380 per property (was $308)Up 23.4%. The budget says the rise covers running costs and the rollout of new FOGO and glass bins in early 2027. Waste charges aren't covered by the rate cap. The standard service is a 120 L red bin and 240 L yellow bin, with a 120 L or 240 L green bin free of extra charge; an additional bin is $202 a year.
When it's due
4 instalments: 30 Sep, 30 Nov, 28 Feb, 31 MayAnnual notices go out in August; reminders come at least 14 days before the later instalments. Pay by BPAY, card online or by phone, Centrepay, FlexiPay direct debit, Australia Post, mail or at council offices. The council says rates notices will no longer be available through BPAY View from 31 December 2026.Payment options →
Interest on overdue rates
10% per yearStated on the council's rates page, charged from the due date. This is the rate fixed under the Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983.
Pensioner concession
Municipal Rates Concession for eligible card holdersFor holders of a Pensioner Concession Card or a DVA Gold Card (War Widow/er or TPI) whose name is on the rates notice. The council's page doesn't state the 2026–27 amount; it says the maximum is indexed each year. Apply in person or by email.Concessions →
Financial hardship
Payment plans, deferrals and interest waiversIf you can repay overdue rates within two years, email the Revenue team to set up a plan; no documents needed. Otherwise, apply for a hardship payment plan with evidence; the council decides within 10 business days of a complete application.Hardship support →
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 are from the adopted 2026–27 budget (section 4.1.1), adopted at the council's June 2026 meeting. The budget also includes an Environmental Enhancement Rebate for eligible rural properties over two hectares that carry out agreed environmental works. 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.