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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 Merri-bek's budget raises the average general rate by exactly that much. The cap applies to the average across all properties, so your own bill can rise or fall by more, depending on your property's new valuation. Your bins are paid for separately, through a waste charge that depends on the size of each bin 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
Average general rate: +2.75% (the state cap)The capped average rate is $2,030.40, up from a base of $1,976.06 (budget section 4.1.1(j)). General rates raise $181.5 million from 89,395 assessments. The cap was set by the Minister for Local Government under the Fair Go Rates System. The budget lists no municipal charge.
How your general rates are calculated
Capital Improved Value × 0.23395 cents per dollarThe same rate applies to homes, shops and industry: Merri-bek doesn't use differential rates. The council's own example: a property valued at $900,000 pays $2,105.56 in general rates, before the waste charge and other items.How rates are calculated →
Waste charge (by bin size)
$367.43 for the four standard bins in 2026–2780-litre weekly rubbish $191.64, 120-litre food and garden $87.18, 240-litre recycling $71.71 and 120-litre glass $16.90. The council says this is 9% ($33.70) more than last year for a standard service, driven by waste processing fees and the state landfill levy. Larger bins cost more: a 240-litre weekly rubbish bin is $670.74. Shared bins in multi-unit sites are charged per household ($124.57 for shared rubbish). Concession sizes are available for health conditions or large families.All waste charges →
When it's due
4 instalments: 30 Sep 2026, 30 Nov 2026, 28 Feb 2027, 31 May 2027Merri-bek is an 'instalment only' council: to pay in full, pay before the first instalment is due. You can also pay by 10 monthly direct debits on the 15th of each month from September to June.Payment options →
Interest on overdue rates
10% per yearThe council's late payments page gives the rate set under the Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983. It offers 4-week extensions, payment plans and, in exceptional circumstances, 3-month deferrals under its hardship policy.Payment plans & hardship →
Pensioner rebate
Up to $272.70 in 2026–27, plus $50 off the ESVFFor Pensioner Concession Card or DVA Gold Card (TPI or War Widow) holders, on your principal place of residence. You apply once; health care and seniors cards aren't accepted.Pensioner rebates →
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 from 1 July 2025. It isn't council revenue and isn't covered by the rate cap.About the ESVF →

In the adopted budget, total rates and charges rise 4.5%, to $213.8 million: general rates by 4.7% and waste charges by 10.6%. When fortnightly rubbish collection starts for all homes in July 2027, bin sizes and waste charges will change. Figures come from the adopted 2026–30 budget (section 4.1.1) and the council's rates pages. The council's worked example uses its published rate of 0.00233951 dollars per dollar of value.

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.