Warrnambool (VIC) council rates — what you pay and when

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 Warrnambool's budget raises the average general rate and the municipal charge by exactly that much. The cap applies to the average across all properties, so your own bill can rise or fall by more. It depends on your property's value compared with everyone else's, its rating category, the waste charge (which isn't capped) 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.

See the full explainer, with formulas →

Rates at a glance

2026–27 rate rise: Average general rate and municipal charge: +2.75%In line with the 2.75% cap set by the Minister for Local Government under the Fair Go Rates System, run by the Essential Services Commission. The council says the average residential ratepayer's rates and charges rise by about $1.86 a week, to $2,434.29 a year (+4.15%), including the waste charge.
How your rates are calculated: Capital Improved Value × the rate for your property's category, plus a municipal chargeDraft Budget rates per dollar of value for 2026–27: general residential 0.0028476, farm land 0.0015154, commercial 0.0058376, industrial 0.0051003 and vacant land 0.0045226 (Draft Budget 2026–27, section 4.1.1(b)). The budget notes these were updated for the Valuer-General's April 2026 valuations.Draft Budget 2026–27 (PDF) →
Municipal charge (2026–27): $320.37 per rateable propertyUp from $311.80 (+2.75%). It is covered by the rate cap.
Waste management charge (2026–27): $475.70Up $42.25 (+9.75%) from $433.45. The council says the rise is largely due to fuel costs. The budget breaks it down into recycling, glass, landfill and FOGO collection, street cleaning, drainage and foreshore cleaning, and council overhead. Waste charges aren't covered by the rate cap.
How to pay: BPAY, online, Australia Post, in person, by phone or by mailPay online through the council's eServices portal, at the Civic Centre (25 Liebig Street) or on (03) 5559 4800. You can get notices by email through ezybill. Instalment due dates are on your notice.Payment options →
Interest on overdue rates: Penalty interest rate — currently 10% a year (Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983); check your noticeThe documents we could read don't state the rate the council charges. The Draft Budget expects $100,000 in interest on rates and charges in 2026–27.
Financial hardship: Payment plans, deferral, or a $250 rate rebate for owner-occupiersOwner-occupiers in genuine hardship can apply for a $250 council rate rebate; holders of a Low Income Health Care Card can apply through a separate form. Phone the council's Revenue Branch on 5559 4800 to arrange a payment plan.Hardship help →
Pensioner concession: State pensioner rebate on your principal place of residenceThe Draft Budget includes the state's pension rebate funding. The documents we could read don't state the amount; ask the council or check your notice.
Also on your notice: ESVF: Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund — a state levyThe council collects it for the Victorian Government. It isn't council revenue and isn't covered by the rate cap.About the ESVF →
Disagree with your valuation?: Object within 2 months of receiving your rates noticeValuer-General Victoria sets the valuations. Objections are lodged online.Lodge an objection →

Figures come from the council's Draft Budget 2026–27 (May 2026, section 4.1.1), published on its Your Say site for comment. The council adopted its Budget and Annual Action Plan on 1 June 2026, and the adopted document is on the council's website, which refused our requests — so the adopted figures may differ from the draft. The hardship and payment details come from Wayback Machine copies of the council's pages (November 2025). Check your own notice for your figures and due dates.

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.