Rates

Rates Financial Hardship Policy

Helping ratepayers in the City of Melbourne municipality affected by COVID-19. The Rates Financial Hardship Policy assists ratepayers experiencing difficulty paying their outstanding rates, fees and charges.

The Policy provides assistance to ratepayers who meet the following criteria:

1. For waiver of rates – a ratepayer of a residential property who is also the owner-occupier
2. For deferment of rates – both residential and commercial ratepayers
3. For suspension, reduction or waiving of interest charges – both residential and commercial ratepayers.

If you are experiencing financial hardship and need help paying your rates please follow the steps to apply. 

Apply now for rate relief

The team will advise of a decision via email within 14 business days, subject to all relevant information being provided.

For further details see the Rates Financial Hardship Policy.

To discuss your situation, or if you have any questions, contact our dedicated team via email at RatesInbox@melbourne.vic.gov.au.

Your rates notice

If you’re a City of Melbourne ratepayer, you can expect to receive your rates notice from mid to late August each year, by post or email depending on your preference.

By post: 

Unless you sign up to get your rates notice by email, it will automatically be sent to your postal address.

By email: 

Save paper and opt for the convenient option by signing up to get your rates notice sent to your email address. 

Make sure you enter your exact name and assessment number as it appears on your rate notice when registering. Other City of Melbourne notices such as pet registration renewal will still be sent to your postal address, unless you've previously signed up to receive them electronically too.

​Misplaced your rates notice? The quickest and easiest option is to get your notice via email (which allows you to view all notices). Alternatively, call us on 9658 9658 to have the notice posted to the address shown on your notice.