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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 Stonnington's budget raises general rates 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 how your property's value changed. Waste charges are not 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
General rates: +2.75% (the state cap)The budget's capped average rate is $1,749.91, up from a base average of $1,703.08. The council says the average increase is $46.55 a year, or $34.85 a year once the change in the waste charge is included. Stonnington has no municipal charge and no differential rates: homes and businesses pay the same rate in the dollar.
How your general rates are calculated
Capital Improved Value × 0.0010553The same rate applies to residential and commercial land. The council's example: a property with a CIV of $800,000 pays $844.24 in general rates, before other charges. The Valuer-General revalues properties every year.How rates are calculated →
Waste charge (depends on your general rubbish bin)
120-litre $359 · 240-litre $718 · base charge without a kerbside bin $2602026–27 charges. A shared 240-litre bin is $353 and a 60-litre share of a 120-litre bin in a multi-unit building is $310. An extra general rubbish bin is $395 (120 litres) or $862 (240 litres). Two recycling bins are included; each extra one is $67. The base charge is unchanged from 2025–26, and the 120-litre and 240-litre charges are $3 and $6 lower.Waste charges →
FOGO charge (separate)
120-litre $89 · 240-litre $127Charged on top of the waste charge once you have a FOGO bin, pro rata in the first year. A 60-litre share of a shared 120-litre bin is $45. Shared bins in apartment buildings are invoiced to the owners corporation.FOGO charges →
When it's due
4 instalments (30 Sep 2026, 30 Nov 2026, 28 Feb 2027, 31 May 2027), or in full by 15 Feb 2027Notices went out in August 2026. If the first instalment isn't paid by its due date, the council assumes you'll pay in one lump sum. Direct debit is available for instalments.Payment options →
Interest on overdue rates
Penalty interest rate — currently 10% a year (Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983); check your noticeThe council's pay page doesn't state the rate. Its financial hardship options include payment arrangements, deferral of rates and interest waiving, though it says it can't waive rates or charges.Hardship assistance →
Pensioner concession
50% off council rates, up to $272.70 in 2026–27For Pensioner Concession Card and some DVA Gold Card holders; apply through the council's online platform with the municipal rates concession form attached. Eligible holders also get $50 off the ESVF.How to apply →
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. It isn't council revenue and isn't covered by the rate cap.About the ESVF →

Figures come from the adopted 2026–27 budget (section 4.1.1, Rates and charges) and the council's rates and waste pages. The council's 'how your rates are calculated' page says that of every $100 of rates it spends, $18.98 goes to infrastructure, transport and city operations, $18.05 to capital works and $9.06 to waste services.

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.