Understand your rates

How your 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 Merri-bek. We use the Capital Improved Value (CIV) as a valuation base to calculate rates.
  2. We then work out the balance of the total cost to provide all your services. The cost in 2022 is $152,725,577.
  3. We divide this cost by the total value of properties, giving us the rate in the dollar. This year, the rate in the dollar is
    0.0021175, meaning that for every dollar of value of your property, you pay 0.0021175 cents in rates.

For example:

If your house has a capital improved value (CIV) of $800,000, this year you will pay $1,694.00 in rates, excluding extra charges or arrears:

Capital improved value = $800,000

Residential rate in the dollar = 0.0021175

$800,000 x 0.0021175 = $1,694.00

Infographic: how rates are calculated

See more information on property valuations.

Rates capping

For the 2022-23 financial year, the total revenue generated from rates is capped at 1.75%.

For more information on rate capping, please visit the Municipal Association of Victoria.

Waste charges

The annual waste charge is included on your rates notice as a separate item.

This charge relates to kerbside collection of garbage, recycling, and food and garden organics (FOGO) bins. From July 1 2022, this will also include the booked hard waste collections.

Kerbside waste services and a booked hard waste collections are available if the waste charge is paid at your property, either by yourself or your landlord. If you're not sure call us on 9240 1111to find out.

The 2022-23 annual waste charge has increased on average by 11%.

If you have a standard 80L garbage bin (red lid), this increase adds up to 54 cents per week, or $28.19 for the year. The increase covers the increased waste processing fees and the increased State Government landfill levy.

You can add food scraps to your food and garden organics bin (light green lid) along with garden waste. Less food waste in landfill is good for our environment.

If you don’t already have a FOGO bin, you will receive one in June 2023 as part of our move to the 4-bin waste service for all residential waste customers.

For more information call us on 9240 1111.

How the waste charge is calculated at properties

Your waste charge is based on the capacity, or size, of the garbage bin/s at the property.

Current waste charges for the 2022-23 financial year (valid until 30 June 2023):

  • 80-litre bin has a waste charge of $275.22
  • 120-litre bin has a waste charge of $619.25
  • 240-litre bin has a waste charge of $963.28

To encourage reduced waste, the charge per litre for the 80-litre bin remains much lower than larger bins (that are not shared).

Shared bins

Shared 120-litre and 240-litre bins relate to properties where more than one household share a bin. If you live in a multi-unit dwelling with four or more units and common land you can request to share bins. Depending on the number of people sharing each bin determines the charge.

  • 120 litre bin shared between 2 properties (60 litres each) has a waste charge of $134.17
  • 240 litre bin shared between 3 properties (80 litres each) has a waste charge of $206.42
  • 240 litre bin shared between 2 properties (120 litres each) has a waste charge of $464.44

Concession Waste Charges

If you have a health condition that requires additional waste capacity or a large family (6 or more children), you can apply for an additional bin or change to the size of your bin.

The concession charges for these bins are:

  • 160 litres - $366.96 (2 x 80 litres)
  • 200 litres - $424.30 (1 x 120 litre and 1 x 80 litre)
  • 240 litres - $481.64 (2 x 120 litres)
  • 240 litres - $481.64 (1 x 240 litres)

Bin change over fee

  • If you need to change the capacity of your bins you can do so by applying to change the size of your bin. Each size change attracts a bin changeover fee of $69.45 per change. The fee covers the cost of replacing and delivering the bin to you.

    Apply and pay for a bin size changeover online
  • The maximum capacity for garbage is 240 litres, recycling is 240 litres and food and garden organics is 240 litres.
  • The maximum capacity collected for the booked hard waste service is 2 cubic meters per year (from June 30) over 1 or 2 booked collections.
  • For more information call us on 9240 1111.

Fire services levy

Your rates include the Victorian Government’s Fire Services Property Levy. All revenue collected goes directly to the State Government to help support Victoria’s fire services.

Calculate your Fire Services Property Levy

Visit the State Government website to calculate your Fire Services Property Levy.

The Fire Services Property Levy includes a fixed component of $117 for residential properties and $238 for non-residential properties, plus a variable component calculated as a percentage of your capital improved value (CIV).

Pension concession rebates

Eligible pensioners are entitled to a $50 Fire Services Property Levy rebate for their principal place of residence.

Pensioners who currently receive a rates concession rebate automatically receive the $50 concession on the Fire Services Property Levy.

For more information call the Victorian Concessions Information Line on 1800 658 521.

Have a question about rates?

If you have a question about rates, please fill out the form below we will get back to you within 4 working days. Please provide as much detail as you can.

Rates enquiry