Rates Explained
About Rates
Rates payments make up approximately 55% of Ballina Shire Council’s income each year, making them Council's primary source of ongoing income. These funds help deliver essential local infrastructure and services.
Your rates and charges appear on your Rates & Charges Notice and are determined in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993.
All property owners must pay rates to Council unless the property is exempt (e.g. certain schools, churches, hospitals).
Where your rates go
Your rates are reinvested into a wide range of services and facilities that support daily life in Ballina Shire, helping to make it a great place to live, work and play.
The chart below shows how the average residential rate is distributed across Council services each year.
This chart illustrates how the average residential rate of $1,319 for 2025/26 is allocated across Ballina Shire Council services.
General Rates
Learn about how general rates are calculated, including land valuations, rate pegging and land categorisation.
How rates are calculated
Rates are calculated from property valuations supplied by the NSW Valuer General. The calculation of rates is tied to the unimproved value of your property.
Council uses the method of ad valorem and base amounts. Under this method, Council must impose a rate per dollar (ad valorem) of land value, with a base amount.
Calculate your rates
Land valuations
The NSW Valuer General supplies the land values used by Ballina Shire Council to levy ordinary rates. The Valuer General revalues properties every three years. The Valuer General is independent of Council.
A change in your land value does not always mean your rates will increase or decrease to correspond with this change. This is because Ballina Shire Council’s overall rates income is limited by rate pegging.
If you disagree with your Land Value used, you can contact the Valuer General for a review:
Rate pegging
Each year the NSW State Government through the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) sets a maximum percentage increase in the total income a council can receive from rates (the 'rate peg').
This limits the amount of income a council can raise via general rates.
Land categorisation
All rateable land within the Shire is categorised as either:
- Residential
- Business
- Farmland
- Mining
If your land use changes, you must notify Council within 30 days.
You can also request a review of your property’s category.
GST
GST is not charged on Council rates. They are exempt from the Goods and Services Tax.
Payments
Rates can be paid in full on an annual basis or by quarterly instalments. See below for payment due rates
Paying in full (annual due date)
If you are paying in full, your rates are due on or before 31 August each financial year.
Paying in instalments (quarterly due dates)
The due dates for quarterly instalments are:
| Instalment number |
Payment due date |
| 1st instalment |
31 August |
| 2nd instalment |
30 November |
| 3rd instalment |
28 February |
| 4th instalment |
31 May |
Payment methods
For payment methods, including direct debit, online payments, BPAY and Australia Post, visit Pay My Rates or Water page.
View payment options
Interest, refunds and financial support
If you are unable to pay your rates on time, this section explains interest charges, refunds and the financial support options available.
Interest on late payments
Daily interest accrues on all overdue rates at 10% pa.
Overpayment of rates
Overpayment of rates can only be refunded if your account is in credit. You will need to supply sufficient evidence of the payment and complete the:
An administration refund fee of $27 is also applicable as per Council’s fees and charges.
Pensioner rebates
If you hold a Pensioner Concession Card or Department of Veterans Affairs Card you may be eligible for a rebate on
- general rates
- water
- wastewater
- domestic waste management charges.
The maximum pensioner rebate for 2025/26 (100% eligibility per annum) is:
- $425 for residential properties
- $250 for rural properties with no water or wastewater charges.
To be eligible for the rebate:
- the applicant must be the owner, part owner or life tenant of the property (proof of life tenancy under a Will must be provided)
- the property must be the applicant’s principal place of residency as shown on their concession card
- complete the Pensioner Concession Application Form(PDF, 198KB), and return either by email to council@ballina.nsw.gov.au or in person (with your current pension card) to Council's Customer Service Centre, 40 Cherry Street, Ballina