Understanding Your Rates Notice

Introduction to Rates Notices

Every property owner in the City of Wanneroo receives rates notices that outline the charges for local government services and infrastructure. Understanding your rates notice is essential for managing your property expenses and ensuring you take advantage of available payment options.

This comprehensive guide will help you interpret every section of your rates notice, understand what you're paying for, and know your payment rights and options.

What Are Council Rates?

Council rates are a property tax levied by local governments to fund essential community services and infrastructure. The City of Wanneroo uses rates revenue to provide services including:

Waste collection and recycling services
Road construction and maintenance
Parks, reserves, and recreational facilities
Community libraries and programs
Planning and building services
Environmental management
Community safety and ranger services
Arts and cultural facilities

Rates are calculated based on your property's Gross Rental Value (GRV) or Unimproved Value (UV), depending on your property type and location.

When You'll Receive Your Rates Notice

The City of Wanneroo issues rates notices on a quarterly basis:

Period	Notice Issued	Due Date
1st Installment (July - September)	Late June	35 days from issue date
2nd Installment (October - December)	Late September	35 days from issue date
3rd Installment (January - March)	Late December	35 days from issue date
4th Installment (April - June)	Late March	35 days from issue date

If you own multiple properties in the City of Wanneroo, you'll receive a separate rates notice for each property.

Understanding Your Rates Notice Sections

Property and Owner Details

The top section of your rates notice contains:

Assessment Number: Your unique property identifier used in all correspondence with the City
Property Address: The physical address of your rated property
Owner Name(s): Registered property owner(s) as per land title
Postal Address: Where rates notices are sent (may differ from property address)
Property Description: Legal description from the Certificate of Title

Important: Verify all details are correct. Contact the City immediately if you notice any errors, especially after purchasing or selling a property.

Valuation Information

Your rates are calculated based on your property's valuation:

Gross Rental Value (GRV)

Applies to properties in established urban areas
Represents the estimated annual rental income the property could achieve
Determined by the Valuer-General of Western Australia
Revalued periodically (typically every 3-4 years)

Unimproved Value (UV)

Applies to rural and some semi-rural properties
Represents the land value without buildings or improvements
Also determined by the Valuer-General
Subject to regular revaluations

If you believe your valuation is incorrect, you can object to the Valuer-General within 60 days of receiving notice of a valuation change. The City of Wanneroo does not set valuations and cannot change them.

Rate Charges Breakdown

Your notice itemizes all charges:

General Rates

The primary rate charge for general services
Calculated as: Valuation × Rate in Dollar (cents per dollar of GRV/UV)
Minimum rate may apply for lower-value properties

Specified Area Rates (if applicable)

Additional charges for properties in specific benefit areas
May include landscape maintenance zones or special service areas
Calculated separately from general rates

Service Charges

Flat charges for specific services, which may include:

Waste Services Charge: Weekly general waste collection
Recycling Services Charge: Fortnightly recycling collection
FOGO Charge: Weekly food and garden organics collection
Emergency Services Levy (ESL): State government charge for emergency services (fire, ambulance)

Service charges apply per property regardless of property value.

Other Charges

Interest on overdue amounts
Legal recovery costs (if applicable)
Additional waste bin charges
Special service requests

Sample Rate Calculation

Here's an example of how rates are calculated for a typical residential property:

Item	Calculation	Amount
Gross Rental Value	$15,000	-
General Rate	$15,000 × 0.0921667 (rate in dollar)	$1,382.50
Waste Service Charge	Fixed charge per property	$342.00
Recycling Service Charge	Fixed charge per property	$86.00
FOGO Service Charge	Fixed charge per property	$104.00
Emergency Services Levy	State government charge (GRV-based)	$105.00
Total Annual Rates		$2,019.50
Quarterly Installment	Total ÷ 4	$504.88

Note: This is an example only. Actual rates vary based on property valuation, location, and annual rate setting by Council.

Payment Options

The City of Wanneroo offers flexible payment methods to suit your needs:

Full Payment Options

Online

MyWanneroo portal: Pay by credit/debit card or bank transfer
BPAY: Use your assessment number as the reference
Direct bank transfer: Details provided on your rates notice

In Person

Civic Centre: 23 Dundebar Road, Wanneroo (cash, card, cheque)
Australia Post: Pay at any post office using your rates notice

By Mail

Send cheque or money order to: City of Wanneroo, PO Box 21, Wanneroo WA 6946
Include your assessment number on all correspondence

Phone

Pay by credit/debit card: Call (08) 9405 5000 during business hours

Payment Plans

If you're unable to pay your rates in full by the due date, payment plan options are available:

Standard installment plan: Four quarterly payments throughout the year
Fortnightly direct debit: Spread payments across 26 installments
Monthly direct debit: Spread payments across 12 monthly installments
Custom payment arrangements: Contact the Rates team to discuss alternative arrangements

Payment plans must be arranged before the due date to avoid penalty interest charges.

Concessions and Rebates

Eligible ratepayers may qualify for rate concessions or rebates:

Pensioner/Senior Rate Concession

Available to holders of eligible Commonwealth Pensioner Concession Cards or State Seniors Cards
Provides a rebate of up to 50% on rates and service charges (subject to maximum limits)
Must be the property owner and occupy the property as your principal place of residence

Deferred Rates for Seniors

Seniors aged 65+ may apply to defer payment of rates
Interest accrues on deferred amounts at a concessional rate
Deferred rates become payable when the property is sold or transferred

Other Rebates

Charitable and non-profit organizations may qualify for rate rebates
Vacant land concessions in specific circumstances
Contact the Rates team to determine eligibility

Late Payments and Penalties

Understanding the consequences of late payment helps you avoid additional charges:

Penalty Interest

Interest charges apply to overdue amounts
Currently 11% per annum (rate set by State Government)
Calculated daily on the outstanding balance
Charged from the day after the due date

Debt Recovery Actions

If rates remain unpaid for extended periods, the City may take recovery action:

Reminder notices: Sent 30 days after due date
Final demand: Issued if payment not received within 60 days
Legal action: Debt may be referred to debt collectors or solicitors (recovery costs added)
Court proceedings: The City may seek a court order for payment
Property sale: In extreme cases, unpaid rates may result in property sale (rare)

Important: Contact the City immediately if you're experiencing financial difficulty. Payment arrangements can prevent recovery action.

Objections and Reviews

Objecting to Your Valuation

If you believe your property valuation is incorrect:

Submit an objection to the Valuer-General within 60 days of valuation notice
Provide evidence supporting your objection (comparable sales, property conditions)
Valuer-General will review and respond within statutory timeframes
If unsuccessful, you may appeal to the State Administrative Tribunal

Note: The City of Wanneroo cannot change valuations - only the Valuer-General has this authority.

Querying Rate Charges

If you believe your rates have been calculated incorrectly:

Contact the Rates team within 30 days of receiving your notice
Provide your assessment number and specific concerns
The City will review your account and respond within 10 business days

Property Ownership Changes

Buying a Property

Rates are apportioned between buyer and seller at settlement
Notify the City of your purchase to update records
You'll receive your first rates notice after settlement

Selling a Property

Rates must be paid in full at settlement
Obtain a rates clearance certificate from the City
Your solicitor typically handles this as part of the settlement process

Updating Contact Details

Notify the City of any postal address changes
Update your details through MyWanneroo portal or by calling (08) 9405 5000
Provide proof of ownership when updating owner details

Frequently Asked Questions

Why have my rates increased?

Rates may increase due to property revaluations, changes in the rate in dollar set by Council, or additional services. The City publishes information about rate setting in its annual budget, available on the website.

Can I pay my rates in advance?

Yes, you can pay your entire year's rates in advance. This can be helpful for budgeting and ensures you don't miss payment deadlines.

What happens if I'm in financial hardship?

Contact the Rates team immediately to discuss your situation. The City has financial hardship policies and can arrange suitable payment plans to help you manage your rates.

Do tenants pay rates?

No, rates are the property owner's responsibility. However, owners often pass on water usage and service costs to tenants through the rental agreement.

Contact Information

For rates inquiries and assistance:

Rates Department Phone: (08) 9405 5000
Email: rates@wanneroo.wa.gov.au
Online: MyWanneroo portal at www.wanneroo.wa.gov.au
In Person: 23 Dundebar Road, Wanneroo WA 6065 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
Postal: PO Box 21, Wanneroo WA 6946