Buying guide

Council rates explained: a home owner’s guide

(Including average rates by city)

Ben Tutty
Last updated: 3 February 2025 | 4 min read
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Council rates are a tax property owners pay to fund local services like parks and infrastructure. Your bill is calculated based on your property's Capital Value (CV), which is determined by a ratings valuation (RV) every three years. Higher-value properties generally pay more.

Councils may also charge targeted rates for specific services. Flexible payment options are usually available, and low-income homeowners can apply for a rates rebate to receive a discount on their bill.

What are council rates?

How are city council rates calculated?

Homeowners pays rates based on their location and the value of their property.

Your ratings valuation is based on three things:

What about targeted rates?

What is a rates rebate?

Paying rates is easy. Most councils allow you to do it online.

How do I pay rates?

How much should I expect to pay for council rates?

Author

Ben Tutty Ben Tutty
Content Writer