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About council rate notices
Each year, all rateable properties are revalued with a valuation date of 1 January.
Council rate and valuation notices are typically issued between July and September each year. The valuation included in the notice will refer to the valuation as at 1 January of that year.
Valuations on your rates notice
Councils decide the amount of revenue they will need to service their municipality. The total portion to be raised through rates is decided as part of their council budget process.
Councils will base a ratepayer’s contribution on a combination of two variables:
- rate in the dollar (determined by each council)
- a valuation (of the property).
The Valuer-General or municipal councils will determine the valuation of a property as part of the annual general valuation process.
Once a general valuation is completed, councils receive the valuations to calculate the rates you pay.
- The rate in the dollar is multiplied by the valuation.
- The valuation used will be either the Capital Improved Value (CIV) or the Net Annual Value (NAV).
Changes in the rate in the dollar, or of a valuation, may impact the rates payable.
Councils can also adopt a system of differential rates based on CIV or NAV.
Differential rates are used to apply a different rate in the dollar to separate classes of property. Classes may include residential, rural or commercial properties.
Councils also collect the fire services property levy on behalf of the State Revenue Office. This levy is included in your rates notice.
Who to contact if you have questions?
Ratepayers should contact the council that issued the council notice for queries about that notice.
Contact details for local council can be found on your rate notice. You can also find council contact details on knowyourcouncil.vic.gov.au.
For information on how to object to the valuation in your council rate notice, see objecting to a council rate notice.
Page last updated: 21/07/23