Understand your rates and waste charge
On this page:
Understanding your rates (video)
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.
- 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.
- We then work out the portion of the cost of services that Council provides to the community that can be funded by rates under rate capping. The amount for 2025-26 is $202,778,329.
- 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
0.0023883, meaning that for every dollar of value of your property, you pay 0.23883 cents in rates.
For example:
If your house has a capital improved value (CIV) of $800,000, this year you will pay $1,910.64 in rates, excluding extra charges or arrears:
Capital improved value = $800,000
Residential rate in the dollar = 0.0023883
$800,000 x 0.0023883 = $1,910.64
Infographic: how rates are calculated
See more information on property valuations.
Rates capping
For the 2025-26 financial year, the total revenue generated from rates is capped at 3%.
To understand how to rate cap works please view this short video.
For more information on rate capping, please visit the Municipal Association of Victoria.
Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund
Your rates include the Victorian Government’s Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund. From 1 July 2025, the Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) will be replaced by the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF). All revenue collected goes directly to the State Government to help support Victoria’s emergency services.
If you have any ESVF enquiries, please contact: esvf@dtf.vic.gov.au.
Calculate your Fire Services Property Levy
Visit the State Government website to calculate your Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund.
The Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund includes a fixed component of $136 for residential properties and $275 for non-residential properties, plus a variable component calculated as a percentage of your capital improved value (CIV).
From 1 July 2026, there will be a new category introduced for Residential properties based on Principal Place of Residence: PPR and Non-PPR - whereby residential properties will be allocated either the PPR or Non-PPR fixed charge. Eg. if you own an investment property you will be charged the Non-PPR fixed charge.
Pension concession rebates
Eligible pensioners and veterans are entitled to a $50 Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund rebate for their principal place of residence.
Pensioners and veterans who currently receive a rates concession rebate automatically receive the $50 concession on the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund.
For more information call the Victorian Concessions Information Line on 1800 658 521.
Rebate for Volunteers
From 1 July 2025, eligible CFA and VICSES volunteers and life members will be entitled to a rebate on the ESVF on their principal place of residence or farm, which will be administered by the State Government through the Department of Government Services.
Eligible volunteers include all active VICSES and CFA operational and support volunteers. To be eligible for the rebate, volunteers will need to have served for at least 12 months, have passed probation, and not be suspended on disciplinary grounds or have taken a leave of absence for the entire duration of the preceding 12 months.
The rebate will be administered by the Department of Government Services. For more information, visit the Eligible Volunteers Rebate Scheme page on the Victorian Government website.
If you have any ESVF enquiries, please contact: esvf@dtf.vic.gov.au.
Waste charges
What is the waste charge?
The annual waste charge is included on your rates notice and appears as a separate charge. This charge recovers the full cost of delivering the kerbside waste collection service until 30 June 2026.
This includes your general rubbish, mixed recycling, food and garden organics (FOGO), and glass recycling bins as well as booked hard waste collections.
The capacity of your 4 bins are now listed individually on your rates notice (excludes shared bins that are listed as shared).
Kerbside waste services and booked hard waste collections are available if you or your landlord pay the waste charge at your property. If you're not sure, call us on 03 9240 1111to find out or use our waste calendar to identify if you have a council waste service.
How much is the waste charge?
The 2025-26 annual waste charge has increased on average by 3% for households using a standard service.
If you have a standard sized bin for each type of waste, this increase adds up to 20 cents per week, or $10.36 for the year. This covers the increased waste processing fees and State Government waste levy.
The waste levy increases every year and is charged per tonne of waste sent to landfill. Since all of our general rubbish is sent to landfill, the general rubbish service is the most expensive to deliver.
How is the waste charge calculated?
Your waste charge is based on the capacity, or size, of the bin/s for each type of waste at the property.
The waste charges for the 2025-26 financial year (valid until 30 June 2026) are:
Weekly General rubbish
- 80 litre $166.31 (standard)
- 120 litre $374.20 (large)
- 240 litre $582.09 (maximum)
- Shared $108.10
Fortnightly General rubbish (trial participants only)
During 2025-2026 council is conducting a fortnightly general rubbish trial in parts of Hadfield, Brunswick and Brunswick West. Trial properties have a fortnightly general rubbish charge, instead of the weekly rubbish charge. For more information about the trial visit the project website, transform the norm.
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Fortnightly General rubbish (trial participants only)
During 2025-2026 council is conducting a fortnightly general rubbish trial in parts of Hadfield, Brunswick and Brunswick West. Trial properties have a fortnightly general rubbish charge, instead of the weekly rubbish charge. For more information about the trial visit the project website, transform the norm.
- 80 litre fortnightly $101.73 (small)
- 120 litre fortnightly $135.64 (standard)
- 240 litre fortnightly $305.18 (large)
- 360 litre fortnightly $474.13 (maximum)
- Shared $88.16
Concessions for fortnightly general rubbish trial participants only
The 3,000 properties that are participating in the fortnightly rubbish trial have access to expanded concessions. For more information visit the project - transform the norm website. Applications can also be made by the tenant at the property. They are valid for up to 2 years and we will let you know what you need to do to renew your concession.
The concession charges for fortnightly rubbish bins in the trial area only are:
- 240 litres - $135.64 (1 x 240 litre fortnightly)
- 360 litres - $305.18 (1 x 240 litre and 1 x 120 litre fortnightly)
Changing your bin size if you are in the fortnightly rubbish trial area
Fortnightly trial participants had an opportunity to select their bin size up to 21st Feb 2025. If no selection was made you received a new standard sized bin (120 litres).
Participants can change the general rubbish bin during the trial once, at no cost. You can also apply for a concession to the 240 litre and 360 litre size bins if you are eligible at the time of changing the size of your bin. To find out more visit the project - transform the norm website.
Food and garden organics (FOGO)
- 120 litre $94.00 (standard)
- 240 litre $211.49 (large)
- Shared $61.10
Mixed recycling
- 120 litre $41.70 (small)
- 240 litre $55.61 (standard)
- 360 litre $125.11 (large)
- Shared $36.14
Glass recycling
- 120 litre $17.81 (standard)
- 240 litre $40.06 (large)
- Shared $11.57
To encourage reduced waste to landfill, the charge per litre for the 80 litre general rubbish bin remains much lower than larger bins (that are not shared).
Calculation of waste charge for a standard service
If you have standard sized bins for each type of waste, your total waste charge will be $333.73. This is calculated by adding the following costs together:
General rubbish 80 litre weekly $166.31
+
Food and garden organics 120 litre $94.00
+
Mixed recycling 240 litre $55.61
+
Glass recycling 120 litre $17.81
=
a total waste charge of $333.77
Shared bin/s
Shared 120 litre and 240 litre bins relate to properties where more than one household shares a bin. If you live in a multi-unit dwelling with four or more units and common land you can request to share bins. The charge for shared bin/s is lower than the charge for individual bins, it applies per household not per bin.
Residents can request additional shared bin capacity for recycling (in a 240 litre bin), food and garden organics (in either a 120 litre or a 240 litre bin) or glass recycling (in a 120 litre bin).
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 general rubbish bin or change to the size of your bin. Concessions are valid for up to 2 years, council will let you know what you need to do to renew your concession.
The concession charges for weekly rubbish bins are:
- 160 litres - $228.68 (2 x 80 litres weekly)
- 200 litres - $249.47 (1 x 120 litre and 1 x 80 litre weekly)
- 240 litres - $291.05 (2 x 120 litres or 1 x 240 litres weekly)
How do I change the size of my bin?
You can request to change the size of your FOGO, mixed recycling or garbage bin/s. You can request an additional glass and recycling capacity as an additional 120 litre bin. In all cases there is a one off change over fee of $69.45.
Changing the size of your bin will affect your waste charge, smaller bins cost less and larger bins (additional bins) cost more.
The capacity of your bins is listed on your annual rates notice, if this is not displayed correctly you have 2 months after you receive your annual 2025/26 rate notice to let us know, if after review, this is not correct the charge will backdated to 1 July 2025. Following this time the charge for your bin will be pro-rata from the date the change over occurs.
A bin changeover fee of $69.45 will apply for any changes to the size of general rubbish bins. The fee covers the cost of replacing and delivering the bin to you.
Apply and pay for a bin changeover online
For more information call us on 03 9240 1111.
If you are in the fortnightly trial area, and did not select a bin size during the selection period (21st Feb 2025) you received a new standard sized bin (120 litres). Residents can change the general rubbish bin during the trial once, at no cost. You can also apply for a concession to the 240 litre and 360 litre size bins if you are eligible. To find out more visit the project - transform the norm website.
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 10 business days. Please provide as much detail as you can.