Our friendly staff look forward to assisting with your enquiry.
Rates cover the financial year 1 July to 30 June and are generally issued by the middle of August.
We offer a range of rate payment options.
For Example:
An annual rates bill is received at the end of August for an amount of $2,600
You can choose from the following options depending on what best suits you.
Option 1 - pay by instalments.
30 Sept $650
30 Nov $650
28 Feb $650
31 May $650
TOTAL $2,600
Option 2 - pay in full.
15 Feb $2,600
TOTAL $2,600
Option 3 – pay each week or fortnight from the end of August to 15 Feb.
24 payments per year of $108.50 per week.
12 payments per year of $217 per fortnight.
TOTAL $2,600
Option 4 - pay an amount each week or fortnight continuously throughout the year.
52 payments per year of $50 per week
26 payments per year of $100 per fortnight
TOTAL $2,600
If you pay your rates as a lump sum, you need to pay by 15 February 2025.
If the full payment is not received by 15 February 2025 interest charges will apply to the outstanding amount.
The penalty interest rate, set by the Minister for Local Government, is 10 per cent.
We offer quarterly instalments:
Note - direct debit applications for current year's rates will not be accepted after 31 December. If the application is received after an instalment has passed, missed payment/s will be required to be paid before the direct debit can be set up.
To pay your rates by this method, we need to receive your first instalment by 30 September. If you pay after that date, it is treated as a part payment and you need to pay the rest of your rates by 15 February.
Payments must be received in four instalments by the following dates:
Instalment 1 - pay by 30 September
Instalment 2 - pay by 30 November
Instalment 3 - pay by 28 February
Instalment 4 - pay by 31 May
You can set up a direct debit for four instalments or one full payment using our Direct Debit Request Form.
Direct debit application for current years rates will not be accepted after 31 December and missed payments need to be paid by other methods.
This payment option can be easier on the budget and relieves the worry of paying on time or incurring penalty interest for late payment.
The first payment is from a nominated bank account.
A direct debit request will be cancelled if there are three dishonoured payments in any financial year.
You only need to sign up once and do not need to apply each year, as long as your bank account details are the same.
If your bank account details change you need to fill in a change of Direct Debit Request Form and return it to us at least 14 days before the next debit day.
If you want to cancel your direct debit arrangement, fill in the Cancel Direct Debit for Rates form and return it to us at least 14 days before the next debit day.
If the other payment options do not suit you, you can make regular payments of smaller amounts towards your rates at any time during the rating period.
We can help you determine a suitable amount to pay that will ensure that you do not owe any rates by the date that the rates are due to be paid by.
The earlier you start making payments, the smaller your payments can be, as they are spread across more of the year.
If your rates are already overdue there are other ways that we can help you.
Phone 1300 321 219 to pay by Visa or MasterCard.
You can set up a direct debit for 4 instalments or one full payment using our Direct Debit Request Form.
See tab above for more details of this payment option.
You can pay your rates at our Customer Service Centres or any Australia Post outlet.
If the payment is past the due date, you cannot pay at the Post Office.
If you do not have your rate notice, payment can be posted direct to:
East Gippsland Shire Council
PO Box 1618
Bairnsdale, Vic 3875
Receipts are not issued for mailed payments.
Please allow for postal delays as delivery problems will not be accepted as an excuse for late payment.
The penalty interest rate, set by the Minister for Local Government, is 10 per cent.
If you are not paying using one of our instalment plans or a payment arrangement, you need to pay in full by the end of 15 February 2025.
If you do not pay in full by this date, interest charges will apply to any outstanding amount, backdated to the due date of the first quarterly instalment - 30 September. If you do not pay in full by this date, interest charges will apply to any outstanding amount in the same manner as if the ratepayer had elected to pay by quarterly instalments.
Penalty interest will apply on the outstanding amount. This is calculated from the due date of the instalment.
Penalty interest on any arrears of rate, charges or levies will continue to accrue until full payment of the outstanding amount, including interest, is received.
Non-payment of rates may incur legal fees/costs for recovery.
If your rates are already overdue there are other ways that we can help you.