General Frequently Asked Questions

Rates are payable by four quarterly instalments. Instalment dates are shown on the first notice issued in each year. This notice is normally issued in August.   

Instalment reminder notices are issued prior to the due date of each instalment. The due dates of each instalment are specific to each financial year. To view the current installment dates, please visit our 'how to pay your rates' webpage here.  

Differential rates are where council sets different rates in the dollar for different categories of rateable land. Differential rates can be set for Farm land, Commercial and Industrial type properties. Council believes that each different rate contributes to the equitable and efficient carrying out of council functions. 

You can find out more about the differential rates applied for the current financial year on our 'how rates are calculated' webpage here.

In 2015, The Fair Go Rates system to cap rates was introduced to limit the amount of revenue increases a council can levy through rates. 

Each year the Minister for Local Government sets a cap on rate increases based on that period’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) and advice from the Essential Services Commission (ESC). It is important to note that there is no connection between rate capping and an individual’s rates. Rate capping applies to the total rate revenue for the whole municipality. 

The overall rates revenue collected by council cannot exceed the rate cap. However, the amount each property owner pays is calculated based on the value of their property. Some ratepayers will pay less than the rate cap, others will pay more. However, the overall rates collected by council will not exceed the rate cap unless they are granted an exemption. 

Northern Grampians Shire Council has always complied with the rate cap and has never sought permission for a higher cap. 

In the 2025/26 financial year, council will raise around $21,683,000 through rates and charges. This amount includes waste and recycling charges but does not include the Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund charges which are fully remitted to the State Government. 

The amount of $21,683,000 equates to 43% of council's total income.   

Further information about council's revenue sources can be found in our annual budget document available on our website here. 

Council’s budget is developed in the context of its long-term strategies which outline the strategic agenda for councillors during their 4-year term and prioritise resource allocation. These strategies include:

• 10-year Financial Plan
• 10-year Asset Plan
• 4-year Council Plan

Council must balance income and revenue with expenditure on community services, programs, capital works, and new initiatives whilst maintaining financial sustainability.

Site Value (SV) is the value of the land only, and assumes the land is vacant with no improvements such as buildings. 

Capital Improved Value (CIV) is the assessed market value of the property including both land (SV) and all improvements such as buildings.

Capital Improved Value is used for rating purposes by Northern Grampians Shire Council. 

Net Annual Value (NAV) is the current value of a property’s net annual rent less legislated expenses. Generally, NAV for residential and primary production properties is legislated to be 5 per cent of the CIV. 

The SV, CIV and NAV are defined in the Valuation of Land Act 1960.  

Please note, you do not add the valuations together for rating purposes. Rates are levied on the CIV only, which is the market value of the property at a given date. 

The Valuer-General Victoria (VGV) is responsible for all valuations in Victoria. VGV contract and engage qualified valuers to determine property values throughout the Shire. Council has no jurisdiction over valuing properties for rates purposes. 

The Local Government Act 2020and the Valuation of Land Act 1960 require all properties to be revalued annually.

The valuation shown on your rates notice represents the value as of 1 January of that same year. 

The valuation process assesses the amount that a property would sell for at a specific date. The latest property sales, rental data, land type, building condition and all property improvements are analysed as part of the valuation process.

It is important to note that property revaluations do not increase the total amount of rate revenue raised by Council. It only redistributes who pays the rates. 

There are various reasons why the valuation of your property may have changed, including higher sales figures for similar properties or improvements to the property (i.e. building additions or extensive renovations). 

The valuation process assesses the amount that a property would sell for at a specific date. The latest property sales, rental data, land type, building condition and all property improvements are analysed as part of the valuation process.

The valuation applied to the property should represent its market value as of 1 January of that year. 

If you believe that your property is incorrectly valued, you may lodge an objection. Sections 16, 17 and 18 of the Valuation of Land Act 1960 provide that ratepayers have a right to object to a property valuation. 

Objections must be lodged within two months of the date on the first rate notice in any year, or within two months from the issue date of any supplementary rate and valuation notice. Please visit Objections to Council rate notices must use the prescribed objection form. 

Any questions about valuations and objections can be discussed with council by phoning our rates team on (03) 5358 8710. 

Even if you have lodged an objection, you must continue paying your rates and charges until your objection is resolved to avoid interest charges. 

The answer to this question is not a simple one.  

Some of the challenges we have in small rural council is that our shire covers more than 6,000 square kilometres of land containing over 3,000 kms of roads, 126 buildings, over 400 bridges and other infrastructure, all of which is paid for by less than 10,000 ratepayers. The total value of infrastructure per capita in rural areas is about twice that of metropolitan councils.   

Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) is replacing the Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) from July 1, 2025. 

The ESVF is a state government charge that is mandated for collection by local government councils. Council collects the charge in our municipality with all money going directly to the State Revenue Office. No ESVF money is retained by council.

The Australian Valuation Property Clarification Code (AVPCC) is a property classification code.

It is assigned to your property by the valuers in accordance with the Fire Service Property Levy Act 2012 and the Fire Services Property Amendment (Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund) Bill 2025 and is shown on your rates notice. 

The AVPCC has no effect on the valuation of your property, it is used to identify the property’s classification (residential/commercial etc.) which is then used to calculate the correct ESVF charge that you contribute in accordance with the above-mentioned legislation. That legislation requires this code to be printed on your rates notice. 

The concession is displayed on the first notice that is issued in any year. However, if you are unsure or would like to check, please call our rates team on (03) 5358 8710 who will assist you.

Please note, provided individual pension details have not changed, it is not necessary to re-apply for the concession each year. A Health Care card does not entitle the holder to a rates concession either. 

Direct debits are a great way to ensure that your rates are paid on time and minimises the financial burden that can sometimes accrue. 

Council accepts direct debit payments for quarterly instalments via either fortnightly or monthly payments. Before making an application, please contact the rates team to discuss an appropriate payment amount and the dates that the payments will be deducted.

Direct debit payments can only be made from a nominated bank account, not from a credit card. 

You can contact the rates team by calling (03) 5358 8710 or by emailing rates@ngshire.vic.gov.au. 

An application form for direct debit payments can be found here. 

Unpaid rates will incur a penalty interest rate of 10 per cent per annum after the instalment due date. The interest charged on overdue rates and charges is set by the Attorney General under the Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983. 

Council has a Personal Financial Hardship Policy to assist those ratepayers experiencing genuine financial distress. Assistance available includes a referral to a free independent financial counsellor. Please visit our financial hardship webpage for further information here.  

A change of address form can be found on the “Changing your details” page of our website here.    

Please note, council can email rate notices to you rather than send them via traditional post. This is a quick, secure and easy way to receive your rate notices direct to your email. Information about how to register for this service is available here. 

No, unfortunately we cannot issue notices via both email and Australia Post. Email is council’s preferred method of delivery as it is more cost effective and allows for quick and efficient delivery to residents. 

Any ratepayer who is registered for EzyBill has access to a portal containing copies of all of their rate notices. Registrations for EzyBill can be made via the 'how to pay your rates' webpage here. 

Ratepayers not registered for EzyBill, or those needing historical copies of their rates, should contact the rates team by calling (03) 5358 8710 or via email at rates@ngshire.vic.gov.au.