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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 Mildura's adopted budget raises average base rates by that much. The cap applies to the average across all properties, so your own bill can rise or fall by more, depending on how your property's value moved compared with others. Waste charges aren't capped; for 2026–27 they are unchanged.

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 base rates +2.75% (the state cap)The council says it has kept rate rises within or below the cap since the cap began. It estimates the effect on the median rates notice in each category, after property value changes: residential up $115 (7%), business down $31 (0.2%), dryland farms down $270.61 (8.5%) and irrigated farms down $114 (6.3%).Budget announcement →
How your rates are calculated
Capital Improved Value × rate in the dollar2026–27 rates in the dollar: residential 0.00428732; dryland farm 0.00321549; irrigated farm 0.00385859; business 0.00600225; cultural and recreational land 0.00042873. Business properties in the Mildura City Heart precinct also pay a special rate of 0.00237851, which goes to Mildura City Heart Inc., not to the council. The Revenue and Rating Plan 2025–2029 (adopted April 2025) raised the business differential and lowered the dryland farm differential.How rates are calculated →
Waste charges (2026–27, residential)
$551 a year in total — unchangedMade up of a municipal waste charge of $203 and kerbside collection charges of $110 (landfill), $99 (recycling), $113 (organics) and $26 (glass) (budget section 4.1.1(g)). Commercial properties pay a $250 municipal waste charge. The council says it kept the waste charge the same while absorbing a 4% rise in the state's EPA landfill levy. These are service charges, not a capped municipal charge.
When it's due
4 instalments: 30 Sep 2026, 30 Nov 2026, 28 Feb 2027, 31 May 2027The council encourages four instalments and says you can pay in full, or the balance of your account, by these dates. BPAY (biller code 93922), online, phone (13 18 16, Billpay code 0041) and direct debit are available.Pay your rates →
Interest on overdue rates
Penalty interest rate — currently 10% a year (Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983); check your noticeThe council's page says you will be charged interest if you don't pay on time and refers you to the back of your rates notice. Overdue accounts may be referred to a debt collection agency, CollectAU.
Pensioner concession
Up to $272.70 off council rates on your main residenceFor holders of a Pensioner Concession Card or a DVA Gold Card (War Widow or TPI). A Health Care Card isn't eligible. One concession per year; apply with the council's form.Concessions →
Financial hardship
Payment arrangements and hardship considerationApply with the council's hardship form, or phone 03 5018 8100 or email mrcc@mildura.vic.gov.au.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 on 1 July 2025. It isn't council revenue and isn't covered by the rate cap.About the ESVF →

The figures above come from the adopted 2026–27 budget (section 4.1.1), the council's budget announcement and its rates pages. The budget document still says it 'will be formally presented and considered for adoption in June'; the council announced on 1 July 2026 that councillors had endorsed it. Check your own notice 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.