Rates are a tax the Council charges all residents in order to provide a range of services in the municipality. If you own land in the Kingborough Council area, you will need to pay rates.
Rates are normally made up of a general rate and a service rate and/or charge. The rights and responsibilities of ratepayers and councils are set out in Part 9 of the Local Government Act 1993 (external link).
Councils are expected to deliver many services and to provide an acceptable level of public amenity for the benefit of all residents. Their main source of revenue is a property tax, commonly known as ‘rates’. This tax is based on the capital value of each property on a fixed date for all rateable properties across the municipal area.
Service rates cover things like stormwater, waste management and other services provided by Council.
Rates notices are posted or emailed to property owners approximately 30 days before payment is due. You can choose to pay your rates in four quarterly instalments. Alternatively other options are listed on the back of your rates notice. If you pay by instalments, you will receive a reminder notice around one month before your payment needs to made.
Kingborough Council Rates & Charges 2024-25
Payments
Online payment via credit card (external link)
Pensioner Remissions
To be an eligible pensioner you must hold one of the following cards:
- a Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card; or
- a Department of Veteran’s Affairs Repatriation Health “Gold Card” which bears the inscription “War Widow ” or “TPI”; or
- an Australian Government Health Care Card (please note that holders of a Seniors Health Care Card are not eligible).
In addition to the above, the eligible pensioner must also have their name on the title and occupy the property as his or her principle dwelling on or prior to 1 July of the rating year.
Applications for rates remissions must be received by the council prior to 31 March in the year following eligibility. Pensioners already receiving a remission do not need to re-apply as it should be included on their rates notice.
You must also have your name on the title and occupy the property as your principal dwelling, on or prior to 1 July of the rating year.
Late Payments and Hardship
If you are late to pay your rates, you may be charged penalties. If you are having trouble paying your rates, it’s important you contact Council as soon as possible to make a plan. If we don’t hear from you, we can’t help you and we may commence legal action.
In cases of severe financial hardship, you may be eligible to have your payments deferred. A Financial Hardship Policy has been approved and you can apply online: Hardship Applications
You may still have to pay interest and penalties.
If Council needs to commence legal proceedings to collect outstanding rates, you may be liable for collection costs. In cases of serious or extended failure to pay, Council may have legal authority to sell all, or part, of your property to settle your debt.