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                    How to pay your rates

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                    Find out the payment dates and different payment methods.

                    ​​​​​​​​​​On this page:


                    See our FAQs for details on how to register to receive your notice by email, change your postal address or what to do if you have misplaced your rates notice.

                    Are you having difficulty paying your rates?

                    We’ve introduced a Rates Financial Hardship Policy for eligible ratepayers.

                    Payment dates

                    Rates notices for 2023–24 will be sent to ratepayers in August 2023.

                    You can pay your rates notice in one of three ways:

                    • Option 1: one lump sum on, or before, 15 February 2024
                    • Option 2: four equal instalments
                    • Option 3: 10 monthly payments (by direct debit only).

                    If you choose to pay in four instalments, the date for each instalment is as follows:

                    • Instalment 1: 30 September 2023
                    • Instalment 2: 30 November 2023
                    • Instalment 3: 28 February 2024
                    • Instalment 4: 31 May 2024.

                    If you choose to pay 10 monthly payments (by direct debit only), payments will be deducted from your nominated account on the last day of the months of September through to May, with the final payment for June deducted two working days prior to 30 June 2024. If we are not able to debit your account due to insufficient funds, we will issue you an updated statement with 10 per cent interest added, notifying you that we will attempt to debit​ your account again. 

                    You can sign up to pay by direct debit by submitting a direct debit authorisation form. See below for more information.


                    How to pay

                    First, make sure you have your property assessment number with you as you’ll need this to pay. You can find this on your rates notice.

                    Find out if you're eligible and how to apply for a pensioner concession. Payments can be made online, or by mail, BPAY and BPAY View, direct debit, or phone. 

                    Online

                    You can pay your rates online by Visa or MasterCard.

                    Please note: fees for credit card payments apply. The credit card fee is 0.33 per cent of the rates total, GST exempt. This is to recover the cost of merchant fees charged by financial institutions for credit card transactions.

                    BPAY and BPAY View

                    Contact your participating bank, credit union or building society to arrange payment from your cheque or savings account. Quote the Biller Code 79616 and the BPAY Reference Number on your rates notice.

                    BPAY View

                    You can also receive, pay and store your bills with your online banking. BPAY View sends your bills and statements straight to the same online bank you use to pay them.

                    With email, SMS or bank message reminders and secure online or mobile access, BPAY View makes it easy to pay on time, every time.

                    Register with BPAY View in three steps:

                    1. Log into your online banking account
                    2. Look for the BPAY View or View Bills section.
                    3. Register your City of Melbourne rates by entering the Biller Code: 79616.

                    You need to use the name and BPAY reference number as it appears on your rates notice.

                    Please note: Once you register to receive rate notices by BPAY View you will no longer receive rate notices by mail.

                    By direct debit – credit cards not accepted

                    Payment by instalments or in full can be made by direct debit. Download a copy of the form:

                    This form must be returned no later than five business days prior to the due date of payment.

                    Please return the completed form via fax, post or email. (Details are provided in the top right of the form.)

                    Please bear in mind that direct debit will automatically continue each year. If you wish to opt out of this payment method, you need to inform us in writing at City of Melbourne, GPO Box 2158, Melbourne VIC 3001. 

                    By phone

                    Call us on 1300 130 453 to pay by phone.

                    You can pay by Visa or MasterCard. You will need to quote the assessment number on your rate notice.

                    Please note: fees for credit card payments apply. The credit card fee is 0.33 per cent of the rates total, GST exempt. This is to recover the cost of merchant fees charged by financial institutions for credit card transactions.

                    By mail

                    Complete and detach the bottom portion of your rate notice and post with your cheque to:

                    City of Melbourne 
                    GPO Box 2158 
                    Melbourne VIC 3001.

                    In person

                    1. Melbourne Town Hall
                    90 to 130 Swanston Street, Melbourne 3000
                    Business hours, Monday to Friday
                    Visa, Mastercard or EFTPOS available
                    Cash payments not accepted

                    2. Australia Post
                    Credit cards not accepted

                    Overdue rates

                    When you pay your rates and charges, it is essential that we receive your payment by the due dates, as shown on your annual rates notice.

                    City of Melbourne charges interest on late payments,  in accordance with Section 172 of the Local Government Act 1989. Interest is charged at the penalty interest rate which is currently 10 per cent per annum, as fixed under Section 2 of the Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983.

                    Penalty interest on any arrears of rates and charges will continue to accrue. Interest will be calculated from the date when each quarterly instalment was due, irrespective of whether or not a ratepayer has chosen to pay by the instalment or lump sum option.

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