Enter your Gross Rental Value (GRV) or Unimproved Value (UV) found on your notice.
The multiplier set by your local council (e.g., 0.06543). Check your council website.
The minimum amount payable set by your council (overrides calculation if lower).
State government levy for emergency services.
Annual fee for rubbish collection services.
Base Rates Calculation:$0.00
Applied Rates (Min Check):$0.00
ESL Charge:$0.00
Waste & Other Fees:$0.00
Total Estimated Rates:$0.00
Understanding Council Rates in Western Australia
Calculating council rates in Western Australia (WA) can often be confusing due to the specific terminology used by local governments. Unlike standard utility bills, council rates are a tax based on the potential rental or land value of your property. This calculator helps homeowners and investors estimate their annual rates notice based on the Gross Rental Value (GRV) or Unimproved Value (UV) method used throughout WA.
Note: Council rates are exempt from GST. However, specific service charges included on your notice, such as rubbish collection, may sometimes attract different levies depending on the municipality.
How WA Council Rates Are Calculated
In Western Australia, local governments generally use two methods to value land for rating purposes. The method applied depends on the land use:
Gross Rental Value (GRV): Used primarily for residential, commercial, and industrial areas. It represents the gross annual rental value of the property.
Unimproved Value (UV): Used primarily for rural and farming properties. It represents the value of the land only, assuming no improvements (buildings) exist.
The Formula
The core calculation is straightforward once you have the figures:
(Valuation × Rate in the Dollar) = Base Rate Payable
For example, if your property has a GRV of $25,000 and the council's Rate in the Dollar is 0.0550, your base rate is $1,375.00.
What is the "Rate in the Dollar"?
The "Rate in the Dollar" (RID) is a multiplier determined by your local council council every budget year. It is calculated by dividing the total revenue the council needs to collect by the total valuation of all properties in the district. This figure ensures the budget shortfall is met. You can typically find the current RID on your council's website (e.g., City of Stirling, City of Joondalup, or City of Perth).
Minimum Payments
To ensure that all ratepayers make a reasonable contribution to the cost of services, councils set a Minimum Rate. If the calculation (Valuation × RID) results in a figure lower than the minimum, you will be charged the minimum rate instead. This is common for vacant land or lower-value properties.
Emergency Services Levy (ESL)
The Emergency Services Levy is a state government charge collected by local councils on behalf of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES). This funds career and volunteer fire brigades, SES units, and marine rescue services. The amount varies based on your ESL category (1 through 5), with Category 1 (metropolitan) attracting the highest levy.
Additional Charges and Concessions
Your final rates notice will often include separate charges for specific services:
Waste Service Charge: A flat fee for bin collection (general waste, recycling, and green waste).
Swimming Pool Inspection Fee: An annual or periodic fee for mandating safety barrier inspections.
Security Levy: Some councils charge a small levy for community safety patrols.
Pensioner Rebates: In WA, holders of a Pensioner Concession Card or State Concession Card may be eligible for a rebate on their rates and ESL, often capped at a specific maximum amount determined by the state government annually.
function calculateRates() {
// 1. Get Input Values
var valuation = document.getElementById("propertyValuation").value;
var rid = document.getElementById("rateInDollar").value;
var minRate = document.getElementById("minRate").value;
var esl = document.getElementById("eslCharge").value;
var waste = document.getElementById("wasteCharge").value;
var other = document.getElementById("otherCharges").value;
// 2. Parse values to Float, handle empty strings as 0
var valNum = parseFloat(valuation) || 0;
var ridNum = parseFloat(rid) || 0;
var minNum = parseFloat(minRate) || 0;
var eslNum = parseFloat(esl) || 0;
var wasteNum = parseFloat(waste) || 0;
var otherNum = parseFloat(other) || 0;
// 3. Logic: Calculate Base Rate
var baseRate = valNum * ridNum;
// 4. Logic: Apply Minimum Rate Threshold
var appliedRate = baseRate;
if (baseRate 0) {
appliedRate = minNum;
}
// 5. Logic: Calculate Total
var totalFees = wasteNum + otherNum;
var totalPayable = appliedRate + eslNum + totalFees;
// 6. Formatting Helper Function
function formatMoney(amount) {
return "$" + amount.toFixed(2).replace(/\d(?=(\d{3})+\.)/g, '$&,');
}
// 7. Update DOM elements
document.getElementById("displayBaseRate").innerText = formatMoney(baseRate);
document.getElementById("displayAppliedRate").innerText = formatMoney(appliedRate);
document.getElementById("displayESL").innerText = formatMoney(eslNum);
document.getElementById("displayFees").innerText = formatMoney(totalFees);
document.getElementById("displayTotal").innerText = formatMoney(totalPayable);
// 8. Show Result Section
document.getElementById("resultSection").style.display = "block";
}