Pay your rates

Your rates help fund a wide range of services, programs and projects in the Merri-bek.

When are rates due?

You are required to pay your rates and charges for the 2023-24 rating year in 4 instalments.

Instalment due dates for 2023-24 rates

Instalment 1: 30 September 2023

Instalment 2: 30 November 2023

Instalment 3: 28 February 2024

Instalment 4: 31 May 2024

If the due date falls on a public holiday or weekend, the instalment can be made the next working day.

You can apply to pay your rates over 10 monthly Direct Debit deductions using our Direct Debit form (DOC 977KB). These payments are processed on the 15th of each month between September and June. 

When will I receive my rates notice?

Rates notices and instalment reminders are sent to ratepayers by post. Rates notices are sent to all ratepayers in August each year. Instalment reminder notices are sent 14 days before each due date.

You can also send your rates notice to your online bank account by registering through ‘BPAY View’ or the ‘View Bills’ section in your account.

Register using the biller code 35105.

Opt-in to get your rates notices by email

Most rates notices are sent by mail, however you can opt-in to have your future rates notices sent by email instead.

You can request to have your future rates notices sent by email  on our eNotices website. To make this request you need to sign up to the eNotices website and provide your most recent eNotices reference number. You can find this number in the bottom-right corner of your most recent rates notice.

Once you have requested your future rates notices to be sent by email you will no longer recieve a copy of your rates notice by post.

Sign up to receive rates notices by email

How can I pay my rates?

Pay your rates on our eServices website

You can pay your rates online on our eServices website. Payment can be made in full or in part. You will need the Assessment Number on your rates notice.

Pay your rates by BPAY

To pay your rates by BPAY, log in to your online bank account and select BPAY to pay bills online. Alternatively, call your phone banking number.

You will need to enter the biller code 35105, the Assessment Number found on the front of your rates notice, and the payment amount to complete the BPAY payment.

Pay your rates by direct debit

You have 2 direct debit options to pay your rates, either:

  1. Your four quarterly instalments can be deducted from your nominated bank account on the due dates listed above
  2. Your rates can be divided into ten monthly instalments, which are deducted from your nominated bank account on the 15th of each month between September and June.

To set up direct debit payments, complete our Direct Debit form (DOC 977KB) or our  Direct Debit Form (PDF) You can give us the completed forms by:

When signing up for direct debit payments your rates must be up-to-date.

Once a direct debit is set up, it continues every year until we receive written notification from you to cancel it. To change your nominated bank account you can email your new details to ratescontact@merri-bek.vic.gov.au or send them by post.

If you have payment owing and want to set up direct debit, contact us on 03 9240 1111.

You can also use Centrepay to arrange regular deductions from your Centrelink payment. Our Centrepay Reference Number is 555 061 978C. You can find more information about this payment method on the Services Australia website.

Pay your rates by phone

Call us on 03 9240 1111 and press ‘1’ to make a payment. Press ‘2’ to pay rates and follow the voice prompts. You will need your assessment number and your credit card details to make a payment.

Pay your rates by post

To pay by post you need to separate the payment slip at the bottom of your rates notice and mail it with your cheque or money order to Merri-bek City Council, Locked Bag 10, Brunswick VIC 3056, before the due date.

Make the cheque or money order payable to ‘Merri-bek City Council’ and cross 'Not negotiable'. Do not include cash in the mail.

A receipt is not provided for rates notices paid by mail. Make sure to keep the top section of the notice for your records.

Pay your rates in person

Bring your rates notice to on of our Customer Service Centres where you can pay by credit card, EFTPOS, cheque, money order. Cash (maximum of $3,000 per invoice) will only be accepted at the Coburg Civic Centre, 90 Bell St, Coburg.  You can find the locations of our Customer Service Centres on our Contact us page.

Pay your rates at a post office

To pay your rates at a Australia Post post office, bring your rates notice to a post office and you can pay by credit card, EFTPOS, cheque, money order, or cash.

Have a question about your rates notice?

Fill out the form below if you have a question about your rates notice or need more information.

Please provide as much detail as you can. We will get back to you within 10 business days.

If you want to make a formal objection to your valuation, you can find out more about this on our Property valuations page.

Rates enquiry