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 Port Phillip's adopted budget raises average general rates 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 property type, your waste charges, 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: +2.75%In line with the 2.75% cap set under the Fair Go Rates System run by the Essential Services Commission. The council adopted the budget on 29 June 2026. Port Phillip has no municipal charge.
- How your rates are calculated
- Capital Improved Value × the rate in the dollar for your property typeThere are six rates: residential, commercial, industrial, vacant (3 times the residential rate), derelict and unactivated retail (each 4 times the residential rate). The draft 2026–27 budget proposed a residential rate of 0.001801 (0.1801 cents per dollar of CIV), up from 0.001796 in 2025–26. We couldn't open the adopted budget, so check your notice for the final figure.Differential rating →
- Waste charge (2026–27)
- $278 for every rateable propertyUp $47.70 on 2025–26. The council says $25.20 of the increase reflects moving dumped rubbish and public litter bins out of general rates and into the waste charge. The charge covers kerbside bins and hard and green waste collections. Waste charges aren't covered by the rate cap.About the waste charge →
- Other waste charges (2026–27)
- Kerbside FOGO bin $90; 240-litre garbage bin $326The $90 FOGO charge applies to single-unit dwellings with their own kerbside FOGO bin. The $326 charge also applies to a second 120-litre garbage bin. Switching to an 80-litre garbage bin gives an $82 rebate; properties on a private waste collection get a $101 rebate. Non-rateable properties using council waste services pay $530.Your rates notice →
- When it's due
- 4 instalments (30 Sep, 30 Nov, 28 Feb, 31 May), or in full by 15 FebruaryThese are the dates the council gave for 2025–26 (the Victorian standard dates); your notice has this year's. Or 9 monthly direct debits from 15 October to 15 June. BPAY has no card surcharge; card payments incur a fee.Pay your rates →
- Interest on overdue rates
- 10% per yearAs stated on the council's payment page. If you don't pay in full by the lump-sum date, interest is backdated to 1 October; for instalments, it runs from each due date.
- Pensioner rebates
- State rebate up to $272.70, plus a council rebate up to $242The council rebate is capped so the two together are at most 50% of your rates. There is also a fixed $50 rebate on the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund. You must live at the property and hold an eligible pensioner concession or DVA Gold card, and apply to the council.Concessions & hardship →
- Financial hardship
- Interest-free payment plans, deferrals or waiversNo interest is charged on approved payment plans up to 1 July 2027, and you can ask to defer payment until 30 June 2027. Waivers are for exceptional circumstances. Aged pensioners and Seniors Card holders can defer rates on their home until it is sold, at 5% interest. The council says you will hear from an officer within 14 days.
- 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 2.75% rise, the waste charge and the pensioner rebate come from the council's release on the adopted budget (30 June 2026); the $90 FOGO charge and the other bin charges from its rates and waste pages as archived in July and August 2026. The rate in the dollar is from the draft budget released for consultation in April 2026, because the adopted budget document couldn't be opened (the council's website refused our requests in September 2026). The due dates and interest rules come from the council's payment page as archived in April 2026. Check your own notice for your figures.
Sources — check it yourself
- City of Port Phillip — Budget 2026/27 is adopted (30 Jun 2026) (read from an archived copy) · 2026–27
- City of Port Phillip — Plan for Port Phillip 2025–35 Year 2 and Budget 2026/27, draft for consultation (Tables 22 and 28) (PDF) · Apr 2026
- City of Port Phillip — Your rates notice (2026/27 waste charges) (read from an archived copy) · Jul 2026
- City of Port Phillip — The rates cap and your rates (read from an archived copy) · Jul 2026
- City of Port Phillip — Differential rating (read from an archived copy) · Jun 2026
- City of Port Phillip — Pay your rates (read from an archived copy) · Apr 2026
- City of Port Phillip — Concession and hardship support (read from an archived copy) · Jul 2026
- Essential Services Commission — Annual council rate caps (2026–27: 2.75%) · 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.