City Of Yarra How Rates Are Calculated

Estimate your annual rates based on property value and usage type. This calculator provides an approximation based on current City of Yarra rating policies.

Understanding How City of Yarra Rates Are Calculated

The City of Yarra calculates rates based on the Capital Improved Value (CIV) of your property, which is determined by the Valuer-General Victoria. Rates fund essential services including waste collection, road maintenance, libraries, parks, and community programs.

Key Components of Your Rates

1. General Rate: Calculated as a percentage of your property’s CIV. For 2023-24, the general rate in the City of Yarra is:
   • 0.002345 for residential properties
   • 0.003120 for commercial properties
   • 0.004210 for vacant land
   • 0.001875 for farmland
2. Waste Service Charge: A fixed fee based on your selected waste service level:
   • Standard (240L bin): $385 annually
   • Large (360L bin): $495 annually
   • Recycling only: $210 annually
   • No service: $0 (but may require exemption approval)
3. Fire Services Property Levy: Collected by councils on behalf of Fire Rescue Victoria. Rates vary by property type:
   • Residential: $128 + 0.00123 of CIV
   • Commercial: $245 + 0.00211 of CIV
   • Vacant land: Fixed $210
4. Pensioner Rebate: Eligible pensioners may receive up to $250 reduction on their rates bill.

How Property Valuations Affect Your Rates

Your property’s Capital Improved Value (CIV) is reassessed every two years by the Valuer-General Victoria. The CIV includes:

• The land value
• The value of any buildings or structures
• Other capital improvements (e.g., swimming pools, sheds)

If you disagree with your property valuation, you can lodge an objection with the Valuer-General Victoria within two months of receiving your rates notice.

Rate Capping in Victoria

The Victorian Government applies a rate cap that limits how much councils can increase rates each year. For 2023-24, the rate cap is set at 3.5%. This means the total revenue a council can collect from rates cannot increase by more than 3.5% from the previous year.

However, individual ratepayers may see increases higher than 3.5% due to:

• Changes in property valuations
• Changes in property use (e.g., from residential to commercial)
• Changes in waste service levels
• Loss of exemptions or concessions

Comparison of Rates Across Melbourne Councils (2023-24)

Council	Residential Rate in the Dollar	Average Annual Rates (Median Property)	Waste Charge (Standard)
City of Yarra	0.002345	$1,875	$385
City of Melbourne	0.002180	$2,150	$420
City of Port Phillip	0.002410	$1,980	$395
City of Darebin	0.002275	$1,750	$370
City of Stonnington	0.002095	$2,300	$410

Source: Essential Services Commission Victoria

Frequently Asked Questions About Yarra Rates

Why have my rates increased more than the rate cap?

The rate cap limits the total revenue a council can collect, not individual rate increases. If your property value has increased more than the average, your rates may rise by more than 3.5%. Similarly, if you’ve changed your waste service level or lost an exemption, this will affect your bill.

Can I pay my rates in instalments?

Yes, the City of Yarra offers four instalment options due in September, November, February, and May. You can also choose to pay annually by the first due date. Payment plans are available for ratepayers experiencing financial hardship.

What happens if I don’t pay my rates?

Unpaid rates accrue interest at a rate set by the State Government (currently 10% per annum). The council may also take legal action to recover unpaid rates, which could include:

• Issuing a final notice
• Charging additional fees for recovery action
• Initiating legal proceedings
• In extreme cases, selling the property to recover debts

If you’re having difficulty paying, contact the City of Yarra immediately to discuss payment options.

How to Reduce Your Rates

1. Check your valuation: Ensure your property’s CIV is accurate. You can compare it with similar properties using the Victorian Property Sales Data.
2. Apply for concessions: Eligible pensioners can receive up to $250 off their rates. Other concessions may be available for veterans or people with disabilities.
3. Review your waste service: If you don’t need a large bin, downgrading can save $110 annually.
4. Check for exemptions: Some properties (e.g., places of worship, certain charitable organisations) may be eligible for rate exemptions.
5. Pay on time: Avoid late payment interest by paying by the due date or setting up direct debit.

Historical Rate Increases in City of Yarra

Financial Year	Average Rate Increase (%)	Rate Cap (%)	Average Residential Rates
2019-20	2.5%	2.5%	$1,680
2020-21	2.0%	2.0%	$1,714
2021-22	1.5%	1.5%	$1,740
2022-23	1.75%	1.75%	$1,805
2023-24	3.5%	3.5%	$1,875

Note: Individual rate changes may vary significantly from the average due to property valuation changes.

Where Your Rates Money Goes

The City of Yarra’s 2023-24 budget allocates rates revenue to the following key areas:

• Waste and Recycling Services (22%): Weekly kerbside collection, recycling processing, and waste education programs.
• Roads and Transport (18%): Maintenance of local roads, footpaths, bike lanes, and traffic management.
• Parks and Open Spaces (15%): Maintenance of over 180 parks, gardens, and sports fields across Yarra.
• Community Services (12%): Libraries, maternal and child health services, youth programs, and aged care support.
• Capital Works (10%): New infrastructure projects like park upgrades, road renewals, and community facility improvements.
• Governance and Administration (9%): Council operations, customer service, and strategic planning.
• Fire Services Levy (8%): Collected on behalf of Fire Rescue Victoria.
• Other Services (6%): Includes economic development, arts and culture, and environmental programs.

For a detailed breakdown, you can review the City of Yarra Annual Report.

Appealing Your Rates Assessment

If you believe your rates have been calculated incorrectly (not related to property valuation), you can request a review:

1. Contact the City of Yarra Rates Team on (03) 9205 5555 to discuss your concerns.
2. If not resolved, submit a formal request for review in writing to:
   Rates Department
   City of Yarra
   PO Box 1, Richmond VIC 3121
3. The council will investigate and respond within 21 days.
4. If you’re still dissatisfied, you can appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

For valuation disputes, you must lodge an objection with the Valuer-General Victoria within two months of receiving your rates notice.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimate only. Actual rates may vary based on individual circumstances, final property valuations, and council decisions. For official rate calculations, please refer to your annual rates notice from the City of Yarra or contact their rates department directly.