Wellington Shire Council collects rates annually from residents and businesses located in the municipality. The income levied from rates allows Council to provide a range of services and infrastructure to the community.
Please use the information below to find out more or view the Rates and Valuations FAQ for answers to frequently asked questions.
It is important to inform Council if you make any change to your name, address or property ownership as soon as possible.
This helps us ensure that rates notices, pet registration renewals and other notices are delivered correctly. When ownership of a property changes, the liability for payment of rates remains with the owner until Council receives a notice of acquisition.
You can update your name and/or address details by completing our Change of Name and Address (Business) Form (please note that supporting documentation is required).
If you need to update your email address you can do this by completing an Online Form.
You can update your name and/or address details by completing our Change of Name and Address (Individual) Form (please note that supporting documentation is required).
If you need to update your email address you can do this by completing an Online Form.
You can officially notify Council of a person's death by completing our Notification of Death/Power of Attorney Form (please note that supporting documentation is required).
To update your animal details please complete our Update Animal Details Form.
I no longer own a property. What do I do?
Your legal representative will send a Notice of Disposition of an Interest in Land providing the new property owner's details. It should be noted that liability for payment of rates remains with the owner recorded with Council until the disposition of interest notice is received by Council.
I now own a property. What do I do?
Normally your legal representative will send a Notice of Acquisition of an Interest in Land detailing the terms of the purchase (or transfer) of your property. The completed form should be lodged within one month of property transfer.
Rates Notices are mailed to your nominated postal address by default. Should you need to update your details, this can be achieved by completing a Name and Address Alteration on the links above.
If you prefer to receive your Rates Notice via email, you can register for this service by completing an Online Form.
If you would like to nominate another party to be the recipient of your rates notices, please complete and return this form.
Ratepayers who choose to pay their rates by four instalments can take part in an optional SMS mobile or home telephone message service to remind them when each instalment is due. If you would like to subscribe to this service please complete the Rates SMS Reminder Service Form.
You have several payment options available for paying your rates.
The instalment method spreads your payments to four amounts over the year. The dates for payment by instalments are:
Our website offers an online payment option for you to pay your rates. Visit our Online Payments page to pay your rates conveniently and securely.
You can choose to pay via direct debit over four instalment payments on the dates listed above, or you may choose to pay off your rates over nine monthly instalments from September through to May.
To discuss using this option, please contact Council and speak to our friendly staff or complete the Rates Payment Direct Debit Request Form.
Rates may be paid over the telephone or internet using B-Pay. Simply contact your financial institution and quote our Biller Code 41293. Your assessment number is your personal identification code found on your Rates Notice.
Register for BPAY View and receive, pay and store bills in your online banking account. Receive and pay bills from anywhere in the world, any time of the day or night through the security of your online banking account. BPAY View is accessible anytime and anywhere you have access to your online, mobile or phone bank.
EFTPOS facilities are available at Wellington Shire Council's Sale Service Centre and Yarram Service Centre.
Australia Post accepts Wellington Shire Council rate instalment payments and offer you three ways in which you can pay: in person, over the phone or on the internet. You may pay by cash, cheque or EFTPOS (debit cards only) at any Australia Post branch.
If you wish to pay by credit card, you may choose to phone 131 816 or visit www.postbillpay.com.au and quote our biller code 0851 and your 8 digit assessment number found on your rates notice.
If you are experiencing financial hardship and require assistance, a financial hardship application form can be obtained here.
All applications received are treated in a consistent, equitable and confidential manner. Once the application has been received, a letter will be sent to you via post to notify you of the outcome.
Please visit one of our Customer Service centre's at Sale and Yarram. Or contact one of our team on 1300 366 244 for a refund form. Please note, proof will be required to support your application.
Rates are based on the Capital Improved Value (CIV) of each property multiplied by the rate in the dollar (reassessed annually by Council). Capital Improved Value refers to the total value of the property, being land plus all buildings and other improvements.
Example:
General Rate = Capital Improved Value (CIV) of $200,000 x 0.003800 = $760.00
Garbage Charge = $257.60
Waste Infrastructure Charge = $55.00
EPA Levy Charge = $21.40
Total Rates = $1,094.00
Council uses a differential rating system. This means there is a different rate in the dollar applied for each different property type or category.
Contiguous areas of vacant land with more than one title in the same ownership may be consolidated for rating purposes.
General Rate
0.003800 rate in the dollar
Plus $257.60 garbage rate per service (where appropriate)
Plus $55.00 Waste Infrastructure Charge
Plus $21.40 EPA Levy Charge
Farm Rate
0.003040 rate in the dollar
Plus $55.00 Waste Infrastructure Charge
Commercial Rate
0.003800 rate in the dollar (same as general rate)
Plus $257.60 garbage rate per service (where appropriate)
Plus $55.00 Waste Infrastructure Charge
Plus $21.40 EPA Levy Charge
You will notice a waste infrastructure charge on your rates notice. In order to comply with EPA requirements, state legislation and sound waste management practice, we have levied a charge for waste infrastructure to specifically fund sustainable waste facilities within Wellington Shire.
The charge is $55.00 for the 2022/23 rating period.
Where a single farm enterprise is conducted on several properties within the Shire, only one charge is payable for that farm enterprise on the principal place of residence. Please note however, that additional dwellings are not eligible for an exemption.
Property owners who hold a current Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card or Veterans Affairs Gold Card may qualify for a Municipal Rates Concession discount from the Department of Health & Human Services, issued by Local Government.
The Municipal Rates Concession discount amount for the 2022-2023 financial year has not yet been release by the state government. This section will be updated when the new amount has been released to council.
For the 2021-2022 financial year: Eligible pensioners may receive a discount of up to $297.00 (which includes $50.00 towards the Fire Services Property Levy) in respect of their principal place of residence.
In order to receive this discount, an application form must be submitted which is available from all Wellington Shire Council Service Centres. If you would like to check your eligibility prior to completing an application form with us, please visit http://services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/rates-and-property
In addition, eligible applicants may also be entitled to a retrospective rebate from the previous year.
For information on the Fire Services Levy please visit www.firelevy.vic.gov.au.
The EPA Levy charge is in place to cover the costs levied by the Environment Protection Authority on the operation of landfills, not otherwise recouped. It is levied on each property to which a Garbage Charge is applied, at the rate of one EPA Levy Charge for each Garbage Charge. The charge for the 2022/23 rating period is $21.40.
An annual service charge for wastewater availability in the township of Boisdale has been introduced for all properties that are connected to the Boisdale Common Effluent System. This charge represents a contribution towards the cost of operation and management of the system.
The charge for the 2022/23 rating period is $421.00 for residential and commercial properties.
Rates are based on the Capital Improved Value (CIV) of each property multiplied by the rate in the dollar (reassessed annually by Council). Capital Improved Value refers to the total value of the property, being land plus all buildings and other improvements.
Example:
General Rate = Capital Improved Value (CIV) of $200,000 x 0.003430 = $686.00
Garbage Charge = $275.00
Waste Infrastructure Charge = $55.00
EPA Levy Charge = $24.00
Total Rates = $1,040.00
Council uses a differential rating system. This means there is a different rate in the dollar applied for each different property type or category.
Contiguous areas of vacant land with more than one title in the same ownership may be consolidated for rating purposes.
General Rate
0.003430 rate in the dollar
Plus $275.00 garbage rate per service (where appropriate)
Plus $55.00 Waste Infrastructure Charge
Plus $24.00 EPA Levy Charge
Farm Rate
0.002744 rate in the dollar
Plus $55.00 Waste Infrastructure Charge
Commercial Rate
0.003430 rate in the dollar (same as general rate)
Plus $275.00 garbage rate per service (where appropriate)
Plus $55.00 Waste Infrastructure Charge
Plus $24.00 EPA Levy Charge
You will notice a waste infrastructure charge on your rates notice. In order to comply with EPA requirements, state legislation and sound waste management practice, we have levied a charge for waste infrastructure to specifically fund sustainable waste facilities within Wellington Shire.
The charge is $55.00 for the 2023/24 rating period.
Where a single farm enterprise is conducted on several properties within the Shire, only one charge is payable for that farm enterprise on the principal place of residence. Please note however, that additional dwellings are not eligible for an exemption.
Property owners who hold a current Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card or Veterans Affairs Gold Card may qualify for a Municipal Rates Concession discount from the Department of Health & Human Services, issued by Local Government.
For the 2023-2024 financial year: Eligible pensioners may receive a discount of up to $303.20 (which includes $50.00 towards the Fire Services Property Levy) in respect of their principal place of residence.
In order to receive this discount, an application form must be submitted which is available from all Wellington Shire Council Service Centres. If you would like to check your eligibility prior to completing an application form with us, please visit http://services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/rates-and-property
In addition, eligible applicants may also be entitled to a retrospective rebate from the previous year.
For information on the Fire Services Levy please visit www.firelevy.vic.gov.au.
The EPA Levy charge is in place to cover the costs levied by the Environment Protection Authority on the operation of landfills, not otherwise recouped. It is levied on each property to which a Garbage Charge is applied, at the rate of one EPA Levy Charge for each Garbage Charge. The charge for the 2023/24 rating period is $24.00.
An annual service charge for wastewater availability in the township of Boisdale has been introduced for all properties that are connected to the Boisdale Common Effluent System. This charge represents a contribution towards the cost of operation and management of the system.
The charge for the 2023/24 rating period is $421.00 for residential and commercial properties.
The Ninety Mile Beach subdivision is a 25-kilometre strip of land located between Bass Strait and Lake Reeve, which extends north of the Honeysuckles to Paradise Beach.
The land was subdivided into about 11,800 small lots from 1955 to 1969 prior to the introduction of planning controls. Much of the area is now inappropriate for development (e.g. due to flooding, lack of services etc). Areas unsuitable for
development are contained in the Rural Conservation Zone. In contrast, land contained in the Low Density Residential Zone in the Honeysuckles and Golden Beach/Paradise Beach settlements can be developed with planning permit approval.
Due to the complex history of the Ninety Mile Beach subdivisions (and associated landowner concerns), the Victorian Ombudsman prepared a report which was tabled in the Victorian Parliament. A copy of the Ombudsman report can be accessed via the Victorian Ombudsman website.
Council welcomed the independent review of the complex issues associated with the Ninety Mile Beach subdivisions and supported each of the three (3) recommendations made for Council at its meeting of 3 December 2019.
Whilst it is lawful, Council has ceased levying rates and the waste infrastructure charge on undevelopable Ninety Mile Beach subdivided lots from 1 July 2019, no further rate notices will be issued for undevelopable blocks.'
For further information please refer to the Ninety Mile Beach Plan.
For land or building permit information please use the Property Enquiry Application Form to submit your enquiry.