Property rates and charges explained

The rates you pay, along with service fees and charges, and grant funding from State and Federal Governments, help Council deliver important services and maintain infrastructure throughout our municipality.

View the 2025 Revenue and Rating Plan here. 

How Are My Rates Calculated?

Council calculates your rates based on the Capital Improved Value (CIV) of your property. The CIV reflects the market value of your land plus any buildings or improvements.

The formula used to calculate your general rates is:

General Rates = Capital Improved Value (CIV) x Differential Rate

  • The Differential Rates are set annually by Council as part of the budget process.

  • Different types of properties (such as residential, commercial, or rural) may have different differential rates applied.

Please note: This calculation covers general rates only and does not include additional charges such as waste collection or state government levies.

2025/26 Rate Calculator(XLSX, 45KB)

What is a Differential Rate?

A differential rate is based on the primary use of a property. Each property category has a different rate in the dollar applied in the rates calculation. This approach helps create a fairer distribution of rates across different types of properties within the municipality.

In some cases, if a property has multiple uses, a second rateable assessment may be created for that property.

Council has set the following differential rates, which are explained in summary on this page. For full details, please refer to Council’s adopted budget(PDF, 1MB).

If you have any questions about your rates, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly Revenue Services Team.

What are the other charges on my rates notice?

Garbage and Recycling Charges Explained

Garbage and Recycling Charges

Some areas within the municipality are designated as compulsory garbage service areas, while others are non-compulsory areas, where residents can choose to opt in for garbage and recycling services.

For more information about waste management services and eligibility in your area, please contact Council’s Waste Management Services Team.

 

Waste Management Service Charge Explained

Waste Management Service Charge

This charge applies to all rateable properties and covers the costs of:

  • Supplying and servicing litter bins in streets, parks, and reserves

  • Collecting loose litter and rubbish spills across the municipality, as reported by ratepayers and residents

  • Mechanical sweeping of roads, channels, and footpaths to reduce litter and waste

  • Enforcement and compliance activities related to littering and illegal dumping

  • Maintaining Transfer Station infrastructure

 

State Landfill Levy Explained

State Landfill Levy

The State Landfill Levy is imposed by the State Government on refuse sent to landfill. Moorabool Shire Council’s charge is based on the actual tonnage of waste delivered to landfill.

Funds raised through this levy are invested by the State Government to support businesses, councils, households, and communities in managing waste and reducing its environmental impact.

 

Emergency Services Volunteers Fund (ESVF)

Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF)

On 1 July 2025, the Victorian State Government’s Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) replaced the Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL). This charge will appear on your Moorabool Shire Council rates notice.

The ESVF supports a broader range of emergency services, including:

  • Country Fire Authority (CFA)
  • Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV)
  • Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES)
  • Triple Zero Victoria
  • State Control Centre
  • Forest Fire Management Victoria
  • Emergency Recovery Victoria

Important: Moorabool Shire Council does not raise any additional revenue from this levy. Council collects the charge on behalf of the Victorian State Government, and it will be shown as a separate charge on rates notices from 1 July 2025.

Who is affected? 

Properties across Moorabool Shire will pay the ESVF, including:

  • Residential properties
  • Commercial and industrial properties
  • Rural properties, including primary producers

Rebates: Eligible CFA and VICSES volunteers, pensioners, veterans, and single farm enterprises may receive rebates. These rebates are administered by the Victorian State Government through a direct application process.

For more information about the volunteer rebate, please visit:

Are there rebates for pensioners?

For eligible pensioners and Department of Veteran Affairs card holders, a rebate will still be applied to the ESVF for $50.00.

When does the ESVF start?

The ESVF will be rolled out over two years

  • 1 July 2025 – Increase in charges and volunteer exemptions introduced
  •  1 July 2026 – Principal place of Residence (PPR)* vs Non-PPR Residential charges introduced

*The Principal Place of Residence refers to the main home where a person ordinarily lives. It’s the place they consider their permanent address, even if they occasionally stay elsewhere.

For further information about the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, please visit:

 

 

Differential rates 

General Differential Rate 

Any land:

  • On which a dwelling is lawfully erected and occupied for the principal purpose of physically accommodating persons; and
  • Which does not have the characteristics of:
    • Commercial/Industrial Land;
    • Vacant Commercial/Industrial Land;
    • Extractive Industry Land;
    • Farm Land;
    • Residential Retirement Land;
    • Vacant Land General;
    • Vacant Farming Zone (FZ) or Rural Conservation Zone (RCZ) Land; or
    • Vacant General Residential Zone (GRZ) Land.

 

Residential Retirement Differential Rate

Any land:

  • Which is defined as a Retirement Village land under the Retirement Villages Act 1986.

 

Commercial / Industrial Differential Rate

Any land which is lawfully used:

  • For the purpose of carrying out the manufacturing or production of goods; or
  • For the purpose of carrying out trade in goods or services.

 

Vacant Land Commercial / Industrial Differential Rate

Any land:

  • Located within an Industrial or Commercial zone under the Moorabool planning scheme; and
  • Which is vacant; or
  • Not lawfully developed for the principal purpose of carrying out the manufacturing or production of goods or trade in goods or services; and
  • Which does not have the characteristics of General Developed land.

 

Extractive Industry Differential Rate

Any land:

  • Which is used primarily for the extraction or removal of minerals, earth or stone including the treatment of minerals, earth or stone; or
  • On which activities for the extraction or removal of minerals, earth, or stone including the treatment of minerals earth or stone have been discontinued but which has not yet been rehabilitated to environmental standards as required by law.

 

Farm Differential Rate

Any land:

  • Which is “farmland” within the meaning of section 2(1) of the Valuation of Land Act 1960.

 

Differential Farm Rate Application

To apply for the differential farm rate, property owners must complete a Farm land classification application form and provide supporting documentation that demonstrates the land is being used for genuine farming purposes.

Supporting documents may include:

  • Proof of income from farming activities
  • Recent Business Activity Statements (BAS)
  • An active ABN registered for primary production
  • Lease agreements (if applicable)

Applications are assessed in accordance with the Valuation of Land Act 1960. If approved, the differential farm rate will be applied to your property from the start of the rating year in which the application was received, or from the date the land becomes eligible.

For further information, please refer to the below guidelines for the classification of rateable property as farm land.

To lodge an application, please complete the below farm rate application and email to info@moorabool.vic.gov.au.

Guidelines(PDF, 140KB)

Application Form(DOCX, 52KB)

 

Vacant Land General Differential Rate

Any land:

  • On which no building is lawfully erected; and
  • Which does not have the characteristics of;
  • Vacant Commercial/Industrial Land; or
  • Vacant FZ or RCZ Land; or
  • Vacant GRZ Land.

 

Vacant Land FZ or RCZ Differential Rate

Any land:

  • On which no building is lawfully erected; and
  • Which is located within the Farm Zone (FZ) or Rural Conservation Zone (RCZ) under the Moorabool Planning Scheme; and
  • Which does not have the characteristics of Farm Land.

 

Vacant Land GRZ Differential Rate

Any land:

  • On which no dwelling is lawfully erected; and
  • Which is located within the General Residential Zone (GRZ) under the Moorabool Planning Scheme.

 

Cultural and Recreational Land Policy

Council has an adopted Cultural and Recreational Land Policy that provides for partial rate waivers for eligible properties under the Cultural and Recreational Lands Act 1963.

Recreational groups that currently receive a rates notice are encouraged to contact our Revenue Services Team to discuss their eligibility for this policy.

 

Related information

Changed your address or name?

Please notify us using this form.

Need to pay your rates?

Head over to our pay your rates page.

Back to top