Calculating your rates and charges
How we calculate rates
Step 1: We work out how much money we need to raise from rates to pay for the services we will deliver.
Step 2: We add up all the valuations of every residential, commercial and industrial property in Port Phillip.
Step 3: We calculate the rate in the dollar for each type of property. Revenue ÷ value of properties = rate in the dollar
In 2024/25 we need to raise $135.4 million in general rates income. The total value of all properties is $75.9 billion. The differential rates for each property type for 2024/25 are in the table below.
| Differential rate type | Rate in the dollar for 2024/25 |
| Resident | $0.001723 |
| Industrial | $0.002036 |
| Commercial | $0.002058 |
| Vacant | $0.005169 |
| Derelict | $0.006892 |
| Unactivated retail | $0.006892 |
Separate waste charges
Your rates bill includes a separate waste charge to help manage the costs of delivering essential and highly valued waste services. You may also have a charge for the Food and Garden Organic Waste (FOGO) service.
2024/25 charges
- All rateable properties have the waste charge of $203.60. (Up by $5.40 or 2.7 per cent)
- Properties that have a kerbside FOGO collection will also pay $68 for this service. (Up by $2 or 3 per cent)
Your rates bill
On your bill expect to find:
- General rates charge (Capital Improved Value x relevant differential rate)
- Waste charge of $203.60
- Victorian Government Fire Services levy
You may also have:
- Kerbside FOGO bin service charge of $68
- 240-litre waste bin surcharge $255
Your bill will also include and concessions or rebates you're entitled to.
Read more about Your rates notice.
Victorian Government Fire Services Levy increase
Council does not set the levy. It is set by the Victorian Government, under the Fire Services Property Levy Act 2012. The Act allows for a fixed charge and a variable percentage on the Capital Improved Value of a property. Victorian Councils collect the levy for the Victorian Government.
In 2024/25 the Victorian Government announced an increase of 5.1 to 5.6 per cent depending on property type for the fixed charge. The variable charge is expected to increase by:
- 89 per cent for residential properties
- 18 per cent for commercial properties
- 4 per cent for industrial properties.
Residential ratepayers can expect an increase between $30 and $140, depending on the value and type of the property.
What we do with rates and charges
The money raised through rates and charges is used to deliver quality services and manage $3.6 billion in infrastructure.
This year we're focused on:
- delivering $114.3 million in projects to maintain, grow and improve services and assets
- land acquisition to provide more public space
- continuing business support offered under the Economic Recovery Package until June 2025.
Every rate payer is provided a copy of our Rates Brochure (PDF 2.8 MB). The brochure has more detail on where and how we spend this income.