General rates are calculated using the valuation of your property and the rating differential rate in the dollar. All properties are valued annually by independent professional valuers appointed by the Valuer-General Victoria.
The Ararat Rural City Council calculates your rates by multiplying two figures - your property’s Capital Improved Value (CIV) and the rate in the dollar amount declared during the budget process.
For example, if you own a residential property in Ararat, with a CIV of $250,000 in 2025/26, your amount payable would be calculated as follows:
| General Rate (Residential) | $250,000 x 0.003643 | $910.75 |
| Municipal Charge | 1 x $96.00 | $96.00 |
| Emergency Services & Volunteers Fund (Residential) | ($250,000 x 0.000173) + $136.00 | $179.25 |
| Waste Services (4 Bin System) | 1 x $470.00 | $470.00 |
| Less Pension Concession (if eligible) | ||
| TOTAL DUE | $1,656.00 |
General Rates
The formula for calculating General Rates is:
Valuation (Capital Improved Value) x Rate in the Dollar (Differential Rate Type)
The rate in the dollar for each rating differential category is included in Council’s annual budget. It is Council’s key for building a rating model that shares our rating burden fairly between the four rating sectors.
The rate in the dollar for each rating differential for 2025/26 is outlined in the following table:
| Rate Differential | Rate in the Dollar |
|---|---|
| General | 0.3643 |
| Commercial | 0.4918 |
| Industrial | 0.4918 |
| Farm | 0.1421 |
A Municipal Charge is a flat charge that can be used to offset some of the Council’s administrative costs.
The Municipal Charge for the 2025/2026 rating year is $96.00
Property owners pay an annual levy via council rates to support emergency services.
The Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) came into effect from 1 July 2025, replacing the Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL).
It’s important that the community understands that this isn’t a Council tax. We are legally obliged to collect it on behalf of the State Government.
The ESVF is calculated by:
- A Fixed Charge - based on your property type.
- A Variable Charge - based on your property type and its capital improved value.
Eligible volunteers from the CFA and VICSES will be able to claim a rebate for the ESVF payable on their Principal Place of Residence (PPR) or a farm they own, even if the farm is not their PPR. If you believe you are entitled to the eligible volunteers rebate, please contact the Department of Government Services (DGS).
For more information on the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund and how the levy is calculated, please visit the State Revenue Office website.
Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund Pensioner Concession Rebate
Property owners receiving the Municipal Rates Concession will automatically receive a concession of $50 on their Emergency Services and volunteers fund levy.
For further information on Municipal Rates Concessions, please visit the Department of Families Fairness & Housing website.
All households within the Ararat Rural City Council are now required to have a 3 bin or 4 bin waste system (depending on the size of the property) as required by the State Government reforms, from October 2022.
These waste services are compulsory for all properties with a residence in both urban and rural areas.
Houses with land under 5 hectares require the four-bin system (waste, comingled recycling, glass and organics).
Houses with land over 5 hectares require the three-bin system (waste, comingled recycling and glass).
The annual waste service charges for residential properties for 2025/26 are as follows:
- Four (4) Bin System: $470.00
- Three (3) Bin System: $417.00
Our waste services and collection frequencies consist of the following:
- Waste (Red) Weekly on your nominated day
- Recycling (Yellow) Fortnightly on your nominated day
- Organics (Green) Alternate fortnight on your nominated day
- Glass (Purple) Every four (4) weeks on your nominated day
Commercial, Industrial and Non-Rateable properties will need to complete a form to opt in to any of these services. These charges will be invoiced out to the applicant on a pro-rata basis. Click here to download the form
Residential properties can opt in to additional services by completing an Additional Residential Services Form
Ratepayers with eligible concession cards can claim a pensioner concession on their Council rates for their principal residence. Only one concession applies per property per year.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a pension concession, a ratepayer must live at the property and hold one of the following eligible cards:
- Pensioner Concession Card
- Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card (given for TPI, War Widow, EDA or POW)
Please note: Health Care Cards are not eligible to claim this rebate.
How much is the concession?
A 50% discount off council rates, up to a yearly maximum of $266.00 for 2025–26.
How do I apply for the concession?
- Pensioners and holders of Veterans' Affairs Gold Cards given for TPI or War Widow:
Present your current eligible pension card and complete an Application Form at our Municipal Offices - 59 Vincent Street, Ararat.
Or download the application form here and forward to us with a copy of your eligible pension card for verification purposes, by emailing [email protected]
We will verify your eligibility with Centrelink then apply the concession to your property.
Holders of Veterans' Affairs Gold Cards given for EDA or POW:
Phone the Concessions information line on 1800 658 521 (toll free) for an application form or download here. Complete the form and send it to the Department of Families Fairness & Housing at the address listed on the form.
The Department of Families Fairness & Housing will check your concession card details with Centrelink and provide the concession as a rebate.
You can apply for an exemption if you own or occupy multiple parcels of farmland which are used for a single farm enterprise.
Eligible single farm enterprises may only need to pay the fixed charge of the Fire Services Property Levy and the Municipal Charge once for the farm property. If you think you are eligible, please complete a Single Farm Exemption Application Form.