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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 Whittlesea's budget raises average rates by exactly 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 waste charge, 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 rate: +2.75%From a base average of $1,896.87 to a capped average of $1,949.03 per rateable property. This equals the 2.75% cap set by the Minister for Local Government under the Fair Go Rates System run by the Essential Services Commission.
How your rates are calculated
Net Annual Value (NAV) × 0.04599159Whittlesea values property on Net Annual Value, not Capital Improved Value. The 2026–27 rate in the NAV dollar is the same for residential, commercial and industrial land. Farm land has a lower rate: NAV × 0.02759495. Valuations come from the Valuer-General each year.
Waste charge (2026–27)
$416.90 for a householdA $310.20 kerbside service charge plus $106.70 for the state landfill levy, up $6.95 on 2025–26 (council budget). The charge now includes the food and garden waste bin, which used to be a separate opt-in fee. Waste charges aren't covered by the rate cap. Commercial and industrial properties pay $276.80 plus $180.05 landfill levy. Properties without a council waste service pay a $15.80 landfill levy.
When it's due
4 instalments (30 Sep, 30 Nov, 28 Feb, 31 May), or in full by 15 FebOr FlexiPay direct debit (weekly, fortnightly, monthly or quarterly), which the council says has no extra fees. If a due date falls on a weekend or public holiday, you can pay the next working day.Pay your rates →
Interest on overdue rates
10% per yearFixed under the Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983, as the council's payment page states. Requests to waive interest must be in writing and meet the council's criteria.Payment plans & hardship →
Pensioner rebate
$322.70 in 2026–27$272.70 off your rates plus a $50.00 concession on the state levy, for your principal place of residence, if you hold a Pensioner Concession Card or a DVA Gold Card (TPI or War Widow). Health Care Card holders aren't eligible. Once approved it is deducted automatically each year.Pensioner rebates →
Financial hardship
Payment plans and deferrals under the council's hardship policyThe council can't waive the rates themselves, but offers deferrals and payment plans, including interest-free plans, under its Financial Hardship Policy 2025.
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. The council says it formally opposed the levy and has resolved to advocate for its rescission.About the ESVF →

Figures come from the adopted 2026–27 budget (§4.1.1) and the council's rates pages. The budget's rate-cap text refers to 'the average general rate and the municipal charge', but its list of 2026–27 charges shows no separate municipal charge. The budget notes that the 2026–27 rate in the dollar was subject to certified valuations from the Valuer-General. 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.