Rate payment options

There are many ways you can pay your annual rates account. If you are struggling financially we have payment options available to help.

Are you experiencing financial hardship and need help with paying your rates? 

We can help!

You can apply for a payment plan which would entail regular weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments at a value that can be managed within each ratepayer's financial capability. This plan can help to spread the payment of your rates. 

Ratepayers experiencing financial hardship should contact Council’s Revenue Services Team as soon as possible to discuss alternative payments on 5366 7100.

If you currently have a plan with us but need to make changes, you can apply for a new payment plan.

Complete the online payment plan application

Financial hardship

Under the provisions of Council’s Property Rate Debt Management Policy(PDF, 317KB) we have provisions for ratepayers experiencing medium to long term financial difficulties. 

Ratepayers finding it hard to pay their rates have the option of applying to Council for special consideration. This means they could have a portion of their rates deferred, make special payment plans, or have interest charges waived.

A person making an application for financial hardship may only do so for rates applicable to that person’s sole or principal place of residence. The Policy intent is to help ratepayers pay their rates without significantly impacting their day-to-day quality of life. 

General Information about Payment of Rates

Full payment method

Ratepayers electing to pay their rates in full must ensure the whole amount displayed on their rates notice is paid by 15 February of the year the rates notice is issued.

Part payments can be made on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis between September and February, but all balances must be paid by the legislated due date. You can find out more information about regular payments by contacting us.

Penalties for late payments will apply. Please refer to the penalties for late payment section below.

Legislated installment method

To be eligible for the installment option, the full amount appearing in the first installment area of your notice must be paid by the end of September in the year the notice is issued.

Failure to meet this requirement will result in the assumption of your property as a full payment account. This means all rates and charges must be paid in full by the date in February shown on your notice. Payment in full by this date will avoid incurring penalty interest and / or debt collection costs.

If you do pay your first installment in full by the end of September, reminder notices for the remaining three installments will be issued to you at least 14 days prior to the due dates.

Penalties for late payments will apply. Please refer to the penalties for late payment section below.

Alternative installment payment method (10): Direct Debit Only

To be eligible for the alternative installment option, please complete the direct debit request document(DOCX, 50KB) and submit it to Council.

Rate payments will then be deducted from your nominated bank account on the 15th of each month (or next business day), from September to June.

If you choose the alternative installment option, you will not receive reminder notices.

Penalties for dishonoured payments may apply if payment is not made within 7 days.

Special payment plan

Council is aware that some people may find it difficult to pay their rates and can offer a special payment plan under our Property Rate Debt Management Policy.

The payment plan would entail regular weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments at a value that can be managed within each ratepayer's financial capability. Ratepayers should contact Council’s Revenue Services Team as soon as possible to discuss alternative payments.

For further help and support please contact the Revenue Team on 5366 7100.

Special payment plans can be maintained through any of our payment channels.

Penalties for late payments

Penalty interest will be incurred on any accounts not paid in accordance with the legislated rate payment due dates. Interest will accrue at 10% per annum.

If an installment or lump sum payment is not paid by the legislated payment date, it will incur interest. The interest is calculated on and from the date on which each installment was due.

A ratepayer with an outstanding balance after the legislated payment dates may be referred to Council’s Debt Collection Agency if they do not enter into a suitable payment arrangement with Council. All costs of which may be charged back to the total debt levied on the property rate account.