Property values, rate capping and calculating your rates

All properties are valued annually by independent professional valuers appointed by the Valuer-General Victoria.

Go to Valuations

The Valuation of Land Act 1960 requires all properties within Victoria to be revalued on an annual basis. Your property’s valuation is based on market levels as at 1 January each year.

The value is determined by sales of similar properties in the local area. If the property market is experiencing high or low sales, this will be reflected in that year’s valuation. 

The three types of valuations and land tax:  

1. Site Value (SV): the market value of the land only. This is used by the State Revenue Office to assess any land tax under the Land Tax Act 2005.
2. Capital Improved Value (CIV): is the total market value of the land as well as the buildings and any other improvements such as fences, sheds, swimming pools etc.  
3. Net Annual Value (NAV): for residential properties is 5% of the Capital Improved Value. For commercial or industrial properties, it is either the property’s net annual rent or 5% of the Capital Improved Value, whichever the greater.

Rates are calculated using the Capital Improved Value of the property. Details of the valuation of your property are on your rate notice. 

The City of Ballarat calculates your rates by multiplying two figures - your property’s Capital Improved Value (CIV) and the rate in the dollar amount declared by the City of Ballarat during the budget process.  

For example, if Joan owns a residential property in Ballarat Central and her property valuation and rates notice shows her CIV as $560,000 in 2025/26, Joan’s amount payable would be calculated as the following: 

The rate in the dollar is an amount set by the City of Ballarat to fund services, projects and capital works.  

The 2025/26 rate in the dollar is outlined in the following table: 

*The City of Ballarat has decided to levy a nil rate in the dollar for properties eligible to be rated under the provisions of the Cultural and Recreational Lands Act (1963), i.e. classified as Recreational 1. 

Your waste management and services charge (if applicable) are shown separately on your rate notice.  

The City of Ballarat has expanded its waste and recycling services across the municipality in 2025/26 to include Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) and glass kerbside collection services from November 2025.  

To deliver these services, the new annual waste charges equate to $1.66 per day per household, or $606 per annum. This includes:

• Weekly collection of your general waste bin  
• Fortnightly collection of kerbside recycling bins  
• Fortnightly collection of kerbside green organic bins (existing properties)  
• Fortnightly collection of kerbside Food Organics, Garden Organics (FOGO) bins from November 2025  
• Monthly collection of kerbside purple glass bins from November 2025

A large component of the waste charges relates to the State Government Landfill Levy. The levy is a separate charge by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for each tonne of rubbish disposed of at landfills. In 2025/26 this charge will increase by $35.03 a tonne to $169.79, a 26 per cent increase.

If you disagree with the valuation, you may object. Objections must happen within two months of the date of issue on the notice and must be submitted online.

Object to a rate valuation

Objectors must still pay rates by the due date. If you don’t pay your rates by the due date, you may be charged interest on the amounts you owe.

After receiving an objection, the valuer will discuss the valuation with you. You will be advised of your objection outcome in writing. If an amendment to the valuation is recommended, this must be approved by the Valuer General. If you are not satisfied with the decision, you may appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

Please note: Council is not involved in the determination of the outcome of your objection and that final determinations may take a number of months to be returned to us.