Late rates payments
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Pay your rates online with Payble
Merri-bek City Council has partnered with Payble to help you spread your payments into smaller, manageable instalments that fit your budget and lifestyle.
With Payble, you can:
- Pay using your Credit Card, Debit Card, or Bank Account.
- Set and forget a payment schedule that suits you - weekly, fortnightly or monthly, on any day of the week.
- Receive helpful SMS reminders before payments are due
- Check your current balance at any time.
Sign up to Pay via Payble here: pay.merri-bek.vic.gov.au
Payble is an Australian company that helps local governments improve customer payment experiences. Payble is safe and secure with PCI-DSS, ISO27001 and SOC2 certifications.
Grants to make energy-saving upgrades to your home
If you own your home and live on a low income, we are offering grants so you can make energy-saving upgrades to your home that will reduce your electricity bills. You can find out how we're supporting low-income earners to improve their homes and reduce their bills on our Zero Carbon Merri-bek website.
Rates arrears
Rates arrears are outstanding amounts from previous years. Arrears shown on your annual rates notice must be paid immediately, unless a payment plan, extension or deferral has been approved.
Arrears may be subject to interest or legal action without further notice.
Penalty interest on late payments
When you pay your rates and charges, it is essential that your payment is received by the due date. You can find out more about due dates on our Pay Your Rates page. Interest may be charged on the overdue amount if your instalment is not paid by the due date.
This interest rate is fixed under Section 2 of the 'Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983' and is currently set to 10% per annum.
Payment Plans
If you are experiencing difficulties paying your rates by the legislated due dates, please enter into a payment plan by choosing the Payment plan - Payble button under Late rates payments options.
With Payble, you can schedule recurring payments on a date that suits you.
To set up Payble:
- Scan the QR code on your rates notice or visit pay.merri-bek.vic.gov.au
- Enter your mobile number and validate with a secure SMS code
- Select a payment option that works for you.
Some payment plans are managed by our collection agent, Recoveries and Reconstructions.
Interest is held on accepted payment plans provided they are consistently met.
Instalment Extensions
Council offers instalment extensions of up to 4 weeks. To apply, complete the Rates extension form under Late rates payments options.
Rate Deferrals
3-month Rate Deferrals are only accepted in exceptional circumstances, in line with our Hardship Policy. Council may consider deferrals, but they must not exceed 3 months.
To apply for a deferral you must download and complete our Financial Hardship Application form (DOCX 270Kb), and email it to ratescontact@merri-bek.vic.gov.au with your supporting documents attached. You can also apply via the Financial hardship form under Late rates payments options.
Financial stress or hardship
If you are experiencing financial stress, please request a payment plan or extension using the relevant online form under Late rates payment options.
If you experiencing severe financial hardship, please download, complete and submit our Financial Hardship Application form (DOCX 270Kb) via email to RatesContact@merri-bek.vic.gov.au.
Hardship applications are reviewed following Council's Hardship Assessment Procedure (PDF 717Kb).
There are services such as Uniting Victoria – Financial Counselling service who can help you with your Financial Hardship Application and more. Please visit United Financial Counselling (unitingvictas.org.au) to book an appointment via their referral process.
To discuss further, please contact the Revenue Services Unit at ratescontact@merri-bek.vic.gov.au or phone 03 9240-1111
Late rates payment options
Please select the appropriate option for your late rates payment.
4 week rate extensions are available provided payments are made within 4 weeks.
Sign up for Payble to pay your rates online quickly and easily, with a payment schedule that suits you.
Financial hardship, exceptional circumstances and deferrals form
You can request an application for temporary term hardship, exceptional circumstances or ongoing/longterm hardship. For further information, you can view our Hardship Policy.