Council Rates Estimator
Enter the CIV (Capital Improved Value) or NAV as per your council's method.
Found on your rate notice (e.g., 0.002456).
Includes waste management, municipal charges, or fire levies.
Estimated Bill
Base Rate Amount:
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Fixed Charges:
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Total Annual Rates:
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Quarterly Installment:
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How to Calculate Council Rates
Understanding how your local government calculates your property rates is essential for budgeting. Council rates are not arbitrary figures; they are calculated using a specific formula based on the value of your property and the budgetary requirements of your local municipality.
The Calculation Formula
Most councils use the following standard formula to determine your annual bill:
(Property Valuation × Rate in the Dollar) + Fixed Charges = Total Rates
- Property Valuation: This is the assessed value of your property. Depending on your jurisdiction, this might be the Capital Improved Value (CIV), Net Annual Value (NAV), or Unimproved Value (UV). This figure is usually determined by a Valuer-General or independent valuer.
- Rate in the Dollar: This is a multiplier set by the council. If the council needs $50 million to run the city and the total value of all properties is $20 billion, they divide the budget by the total value to get this rate (e.g., 0.0025).
- Fixed Charges: These are flat fees applied to all properties regardless of value. Common examples include waste management fees (garbage collection), municipal charges, or state government levies (such as emergency services levies).
Why Do Rates Change?
Your rates can fluctuate year-to-year due to two main factors: changes in your property's valuation relative to the average in your area, and increases in the council's budget. If your property value increases by 10% but the average across the council only increases by 5%, you may see a larger increase in your rates contribution.
Payment Installments
Most councils offer flexible payment options. While the total amount is calculated annually, payments are often split into four quarterly installments. This calculator provides both the annual total and the estimated quarterly breakdown to help you plan your household finances.