← Yarriambiack Shire Council
Rates & fees

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 Yarriambiack's adopted Budget keeps the average of general rates and the municipal charge within 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 waste, recycling and glass charges 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.
See the full explainer, with formulas →

Rates at a glance

2026–27 rate cap
2.75%The Budget's capped average rate is $1,901.41 across 7,062 rateable assessments (3,479 residential, 439 commercial, 3,144 rural). It raises about $12.97 million in general rates and $453,106 in municipal charges.
How your general rate is worked out
Capital improved value (CIV) × rate in the dollarThe 2026–27 general rate for residential and commercial land is 0.3097 cents per dollar of CIV (the Budget's table gives 0.00309772 per dollar). At that rate, a home valued at $300,000 pays about $929 in general rates (our calculation from the Budget's rate).
Farm rate
58% of the general rate — 0.1801 cents per dollar of CIVFor rateable farm land; the council keeps its differential at 42% below the general rate. Farm land raises about $10.54 million of the $12.97 million in general rates.
Municipal charge
$88.98 per rateable assessment (up from $86.60)Where several farm properties form a single farm enterprise, you can apply to pay the municipal charge on only one of them in each council.
Waste, recycling and glass charge (2026–27, outside the rate cap)
$598.86 a year for a standard residential service with a 120-litre rubbish bin (up 10%)Made up of rubbish $291.92, recycling $204.62 and glass $102.32. With an 80-litre rubbish bin the total is $517.22; with a 240-litre bin, $875.11. Rural services cost the same; commercial charges rose 50% (120-litre total $816.63). The charges apply to all improved properties, except commercial and rural properties, where the service is provided on request. The council says the increases move waste services toward full cost recovery.
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 the 2026–27 Budget, total residential land value rose 9.8% and commercial 6.3%, while rural land value fell 1.6% — so general rates raised from residential land rise 12.5% and from rural land 0.8%.
Due dates
Four instalments: 30 September, 30 November, 28 February and 31 May — or in full by 15 FebruaryPay at the council offices in Warracknabeal and Hopetoun, at Australia Post, through POSTbillpay, BPAY or BPAY View, online through Secure Pay, by credit card over the phone, or by mail to PO Box 243, Warracknabeal VIC 3393.
Interest on late payments
10% a yearThe council says rates not paid by the due dates are charged interest at 10% from the date each missed instalment was due.
Pensioner concession
A concession on your principal place of residence, on applicationFor holders of a Centrelink or Veterans' Affairs Pension Concession Card, or a Veterans' Affairs Gold Card marked TPI or War Widow. The council's page doesn't state the amount; forms are at the Warracknabeal and Hopetoun offices or online.
Help if you're struggling to pay
Call the rates team on (03) 5398 0127 or email rates@yarriambiack.vic.gov.auThe council says it will negotiate flexible payment arrangements. Its Debt Management, Relief and Hardship Policy, a financial hardship application form and a payment agreement request form are on its Payment Difficulties page.Payment 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 Government; it is not council revenue and is not covered by the rate cap. Single farm enterprises can apply to pay one fixed charge.
Disagree with your valuation?
Object within two months of receiving your noticeThrough the state's rating valuation objections portal. Lodging an objection doesn't stop rates, levies or interest being charged.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, adopted on 24 June 2026, and from its rates pages (checked September 2026); confirm against your notice.

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.