COVID-19 and paying your rates

The City of Greater Bendigo understands that the current unprecedented pandemic is impacting our community in many different ways. We are committed to supporting the community through this uncertainty. 

Some individuals and businesses may face increased financial pressures. The City has developed COVID-19 financial hardship guidelines to enable flexible payment and other arrangements to be set-up.

Late Rates Payments and COVID-19 Payment Arrangements/Deferrals

There are a number of options that can support people depending on their individual circumstances that will be effective immediately: 

• For those experiencing financial hardship, flexible rate payment plans are available, including the ability to defer all payments on rates to June 30, 2021
• Interest will not be charged for overdue rates through to June 30, 2021
• There are financial hardship options available which consider individual circumstances. Customers can contact the City at [email protected] or call 03 5434 6000

Find out about:

• How your property is valued
• How your rates are calculated
• Associated levies
• Payment options
• Discounts
• Applying for a concession

Every year the Valuer-General Victoria reviews property rates, which are then used by the City to determine individual property rates. Your rates notice includes a fee based on that value plus charges and levies for garbage collection. Read more on understanding your rates.

You can pay your rates in full or in quarterly instalments. A discount is offered on rates that are paid early and interest is charged on payments that are made after the due date. You can ask us to send your rates notice electronically and you can register for an SMS reminder. Learn about reminders and how you receive your rates.

We have also developed the Rates Brochure which includes commonly asked questions about rates. 

Victorian Fire Services Property Levy 

The Victorian Fire Services Property Levy is included on City of Greater Bendigo 2020/2021 rates notices, mailed out in early August 2020.

It is a State Government requirement for all municipalities in Victoria to collect the levy that will be used to fund our important and essential fire services.

Each property is allocated an Australian Valuation Property Classification Code (AVPCC). This code is used to categorise a property into one of six property classifications for the purpose of calculating the Fire Services Levy. Here's a full list of the Australian Valuation Property Classification Codes (AVPCC).

This shows the classification for each AVPCC for the Fire Services Levy 

Apply for Single Farm Enterprise Exemption of Fire Services Levy.