The Victorian Government caps rate increases each year. The cap for 2023-2024 is 3.5 per cent and applies to the average annual increase in rates. Council has met this cap. 

How much you pay for your rates depends on the value of your property. 

The Valuer-General Victoria gives Council a yearly valuation of your property.  State laws require a yearly valuation. The valuation helps Council work out what your rates will be.

This valuation doesn't increase or decrease revenue for Council. Council uses the valuation to make sure that rates stay fair over time and reflect property values.

A decrease in your property valuation does not always mean you will pay less rates.

To work out your rates, the Whitehorse City Council multiplies the total capital improved value (CIV) of the property by the rate in the dollar. The CIV is the total market value of the land, plus buildings and other improvements.

Council sets the rate in the dollar each year. This helps Council work out what your rates will be.

CIV x rate in the dollar = rates

Council increased rates by 3.5 per cent for 2023/24 based on CIV and the rate in the dollar.

The 'rate in the dollar' for the 2023/24 rating year is 0.141535 cents.

Find out more about property valuations.

Overall, Whitehorse property values have decreased by an average of 2.5 per cent, with:

• average residential decreasing by 3.6 per cent
• commercial increasing by 4.3 per cent
• industrial increasing by 18.5 per cent

If you feel the value disclosed on your valuation and rate notice is not a correct reflection of its market value, as at the date on the notice (1 January 2023), you can lodge a valuation objection within 60 days of the date of issue on your rate notice. Access the rating valuation objections portal to submit your valuation objection.

We need to make sure our property records are correct and up-to-date.

This means you must let us know in writing as soon as possible if there is a change to:

• any name, company, trust, power of attorney, body corporate or agent
• address
• email address
• mobile telephone number
• occupancy 

To change your details, email customer.service@whitehorse.vic.gov.au or send us this form with your new details ( PDF 268.27KB). 

Change of Ownership

The Local Government Act 1989 (Section 231) provides that when ownership of a property changes, a prescribed form must be lodged by a prescribed person within one month of settlement.

Please contact your conveyancer or solicitor if Council has not received the prescribed form within one month of settlement.

Find out if you are eligible to apply for a pensioner concession on your rates and charges.

The closing date to apply for a rebate is 30 June 2024.

Your rates notice includes a separate Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL), which we are obliged to collect on behalf of the State Government to fund the Metropolitan Fire Brigade and the Country Fire Authority (CFA).

Although this levy appears on rates notices, it is not a council charge for council services. It replaces the existing fire services levy charged by insurance companies in your home insurance premiums.

Council must collect the FSPL on behalf of the state government. All property owners, including non-rateable property owners, must pay the FSPL. All FSPL collected is paid in full to the State Revenue Office (SRO)

Council will issue the 2023/24 Valuation and Rate Notice in August 2023 and each notice will include the FSPL as a separate charge.

How much is the FSPL?

There will be a fixed charge of $125.00 for residential properties and $254.00 for non-residential properties, plus a variable rate based on your property’s capital improved value listed on your rate notice.

The Local Government Act 1989 (section 184 [1] and [1B]) provides that if you are aggrieved by a rate or charge levied by Council (other than an appeal or objection against the valuation or against differential rating or against special rates and charges or special rates under section 221), you may, within 60 days after receipt of your Valuation and Rate Notice, lodge an appeal with the County Court and give to the Council notice that you intend to lodge such an appeal.

The grounds of appeal are set out in section 184 [2]. If for the first time your rate notice levies a special rate or charge, the Local Government Act 1989 (section 185) further provides that a person may apply to the Victorian Civil Administration Tribunal (VCAT) for a review of a decision of Council to impose a special rate or charge on that person.

The application must be made within 30 days after the date of issue of your rate notice.  
The grounds of appeal are set out in section 185 [2] [b].  A person may also apply to VCAT under section 185AA for a declaration concerning the validity of a decision of Council to impose a special rate or charge.

• Direct Debit: Complete a direct debit application. For further information please contact Council on 9262 6333. Credit card accounts not accepted.
• BPAY:  The BPAY biller code is 18325. Contact your financial institution and quote your ten digit Customer Reference Number shown on your rate notice. There is no credit card processing fee for payments by BPAY.
• Internet: Pay by card online (MasterCard or Visa). A credit card processing fee of 0.6% will be added to the total amount payable for payments made by credit card (no fee for debit cards).
• Telephone: Payment by card (MasterCard or Visa) can be made by calling 1300 120 147 and quoting your assessment number as listed on the front of your rate notice. A credit card processing fee of 0.6% will be added to the total amount payable for payments made by credit card (no fee for debit cards). 
• Mail: Make the cheque payable to Whitehorse City Council. Mail the bottom portion of rate notice and payment to:  
  Whitehorse City Council, PO Box 14818, Melbourne VIC 8001.  
  Receipts will not be issued for payments by mail.
• In person: Present your rate notice with your payment to any of Council’s Services Centres (Whitehorse Civic Centre in Nunawading, Forest Hill Chase Shopping Centre or Box Hill Town Hall). EFTPOS, credit card, cheque, cash or money order are accepted. A credit card processing fee of 0.6% will be added to the total amount payable for payments made by credit card (no fee for debit cards). Payment can also be made at any Australia Post outlet without a credit card processing fee.