Understand your rates and what they pay for

Property rates help keep local infrastructure and services running. They are the contribution each ratepayer makes towards the cost of maintaining over $4.7 billion of local assets and infrastructure and delivering high-quality community services in Boroondara.

You’ll receive your rates notice between late July and early August each year. If you need a new or previous rates notice, email us at [email protected] or call (03) 9278 4444.

Rate capping

The Victorian Government sets a rate cap that limits the average increase in general rates each year. For 2025-26, the cap is 3%. 

While the cap applies to overall rate revenue, individual rates notices may vary due to property valuations. 

Charges like the Waste Environment Levy and Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund are not subject to the rate cap.

How your rates are calculated

Rates are based on the Capital Improved Value (CIV), which includes the value of land, buildings, and improvements. 

The Valuer-General Victoria assesses property values annually.

Step-by-step calculation

1. Required rate revenue: We calculate how much revenue is needed for Council services. For 2025-26, this is $190,353,631.
2. Rate in the dollar: This is the required revenue divided by the total rateable property values, which for 2025-26 is $146,785,597,500.
3. General rates: Your CIV multiplied by the rate in the dollar gives your property’s general rates charge.
4. Total bill: We add the Landfill Levy (part of Waste Service Charge) and Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund Levy and any applicable concessions (like the pensioner discount).

Example calculation

For a property with a CIV of $1,650,000, the general rate would be $2,139.74. We calculate this by multiplying the CIV by the rate in the dollar (0.0012968144).

Waste Environment Levy

This covers the cost of bin collections, street cleaning and public waste services. It also includes the State Government’s landfill levy. The charge depends on the number and type of bins on your property.

Emergency services and volunteer fund (ESVF)

Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) and Landfill Levy (part of Waste Service Charge) are collected on behalf of the Victorian Government. 

For more information, visit the State Revenue Office website. For queries, call the ESVF support line on 1300 819 033.

Objecting to a valuation

If you disagree with your property’s valuation, you can object within 2 months of receiving your rates notice. Submit objections through the Victorian Government’s Rating valuation objections.

What your rates cover

Your rates fund the following services for every $100 of Council spending:

* Doesn't include operating costs for 5 externally-managed recreation centres.

The figures in the table also account for an allocation of corporate services, governance, risk management, building maintenance and public lighting across these service areas.

Where your rates go

Your rates help to pay for these services and assets in the City of Boroondara.

More information

To find out more about how your rates are spent, see our Council Budget 2024-25 page.