Rate capping

Every year the State Government sets a cap on how much councils can increase their rates and municipal charges. It does not apply to waste charges or the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund.

The rate cap does not apply to your individual rates bill. It applies to the total overall rates revenue collected by Council. The relative change to your property's general rates each year is determined by the value of your property and may vary from the rate cap.

The rate cap for 2025/26 is 3.00%.

For more information on rate capping, please visit the Essential Services Commission.

How rates are calculated

We assess community needs and the total cost of services and infrastructure when deciding how much money is needed from rates each year.

1. We calculate the total value of all properties in Darebin. We use the Capital Improved Value (CIV) as a valuation base to calculate rates.
2. We then work out the portion of the cost of services that Council provides to the community that can be funded by rates under rate capping
3. We divide this cost by the total value of properties, giving us the rate in the dollar. At Darebin we have differential rating, the rate in the dollars for 2025/26 are:
   
   

For example:

If your residential property has a capital improved value (CIV) of $600,000, this year you will pay $1,086.50 in rates, excluding other charges or arrears:

Capital improved value = $600,000
Residential rate in the dollar = 0.00181084
$600,000 x 0.00181084 = $1,086.50

Your bill includes three elements:

• General Rates charge, and
• Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, and
• Public Waste Rate

If you receive a Council Kerbside Waste Collection your bill may include the following elements:

• Kerbside Waste Service Charge
• Larger Food & Green Waste Bin 240L

Previous year rate caps

More information

Customer Service
Phone: 03 8470 8888
Email: revenue@darebin.vic.gov.au