Rates & fees
Victoria caps how much a council can raise its average rates each year. For 2026–27 the cap, set by the Minister for Local Government and published by the Essential Services Commission, is 2.75%, and Southern Grampians' adopted Budget raises the average general rate and the municipal charge in line with it. The cap limits the council's average rate rise, not your individual bill, and it covers general rates and the municipal charge only — the kerbside waste charge and the state's Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund on the same notice are outside it.
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 cap
- 2.75%General rates are budgeted at $20.4 million and the municipal charge at $2.3 million across 11,303 rateable properties; total rates and charges, including waste charges, about $26.3 million.
- How your general rate is worked out
- Capital improved value (CIV) × rate in the dollarThe 2026–27 rates in the dollar are 0.003284 (General Rate 1: land in the parishes of North and South Hamilton, except farm land in a single farm enterprise of 40 hectares or more) and 0.002010 (General Rates 2 and 3: that farm land, and all other land in the Shire). The council's example: a Hamilton property valued at $400,000 pays $1,313.60 in general rates, before the municipal and waste charges. Valuer-General Victoria revalues every property each year.
- Why your bill can change by more or less than 2.75%
- Your property value relative to othersThe cap applies to the council's average rate. In 2026–27 the Hamilton rate in the dollar fell 2.44% while the rate for the rest of the Shire rose 6.41%; the Budget shows the total value of residential land up 4.58% and of rural land down 3.65%. Your own change depends on your property's value and category.
- Municipal charge
- $233 per rateable property (2026–27)Up from $227. Owners of several farm parcels run as a single farm enterprise can apply to pay it once.
- Kerbside waste charge (2026–27, outside the rate cap)
- $472 a year for the residential three-bin serviceUp from $430 in 2025–26; the council cites higher waste disposal, fuel and contractor costs. Non-residential properties can elect a three-bin service at $532.
- Early-payment discount
- Removed from 2026–27The council's long-standing 2% discount for paying early no longer applies; the council says pensioner concessions are unchanged.
- Due dates
- Four instalments: 30 September, 30 November, 28 February and 31 MayRates notices are issued in September. Pay online (including a Flexipay direct-debit schedule), by BPAY (biller code 25304), Post Billpay, at any Australia Post office, in person at 111 Brown Street, Hamilton, or by mail.Pay rates →
- Interest on late payments
- 10% a yearCharged on rates and charges unpaid after the due dates, as stated on the council's Pay Rates page — the rate fixed under the Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983.
- Pensioner concession
- Apply once with the state concession formFor eligible pensioners, under the Local Government Act. If your pension details haven't changed you don't need to re-apply each year. A Health Care Card does not qualify.
- Help if you're struggling to pay
- Payment arrangements and hardship assistanceOptions under the council's hardship policy include payment plans, deferral and, in some cases, waiving interest. Interest continues to accrue on a standard payment arrangement. Contact (03) 5573 0444 or council@sthgrampians.vic.gov.au.Hardship help →
- Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF)
- A state levy collected on your rates noticeReplaced the Fire Services Property Levy from 1 July 2025. The council collects it for the State Revenue Office; it is not council revenue and is not covered by the rate cap.
- Disagree with your valuation?
- Object within 60 days of your notice's issue dateLodge through the state's Rating Valuation Objections Portal.Object to a valuation →
The rate cap limits the council's average rate rise, not each household's bill. Figures are from the council's 2026–27 Budget, which the council says it adopted at its 9 June 2026 meeting, and from its rates pages; confirm against your notice.
Sources — check it yourself
- Southern Grampians Shire Council — Budget 2026–2027 (PDF; §4.1.1 rates and charges) · 2026–27
- Southern Grampians Shire Council — Budget Balances Major Investment with Long Term Financial Sustainability (news, 12 Jun 2026; adoption, early-payment discount, waste charge) · 12 Jun 2026
- Southern Grampians Shire Council — About Your Rates (differential rates, valuations, ESVF) · Sep 2026
- Southern Grampians Shire Council — Pay Rates (due dates, interest, payment options) · Sep 2026
- Southern Grampians Shire Council — If you're having difficulty paying · Sep 2026
- Southern Grampians Shire Council — Apply for a Pension Concession · Sep 2026
- Southern Grampians Shire Council — Apply for a Single Farm Enterprise Exemption · Sep 2026
- Essential Services Commission — Annual council rate caps · 2026–27
- Supreme Court of Victoria — Penalty interest rates · 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.