Rates

Rates notices are issued twice a year, in January/February for billing period 1 January to 30 June and in July/August for billing period 1 July to 31 December each year. 

Rates notices are sent to ratepayers current postal address as recorded at time of issue. Registered owners must notify Council each time their postal address changes to ensure records are up to date.

Ratepayers should contact Council on 07 4932 9000 if they do not receive a notice at the expected times or need to update their postal address.

All payments must be received by Council prior to the discount expiry date for the discount to be applied.

Please factor in delays in payment deliveries, for example via mail or your banking institution, when timing your payments. 

The following methods can be used to pay your rates notice.

Online

 To pay your rates online, visit the Online Payments section of Council's website click on the BPoint or Post Billpay logo and then follow the instructions. Payments can be made using Mastercard or Visa.

• BPay - use the biller code and reference number on the front of your rate/water notice when accessing you banks online banking service.

Telephone 

• BPay- Call your bank to pay by Bpay using the biller code and reference number on the front of your rate/water notice.
• Dial 1300 BPOINT (1300 276 468) and follow the instructions.

Mail 

 Payment via mail by making cheque or money order payable to Rockhampton Regional Council. Please mark the cheque with "Not Negotiable" and post to Rockhampton Regional Council, PO Box 1860, Rockhampton Qld 4700 (post dated cheques will not be accepted).

In Person

• Payment in person at Council's Customer Service Centres using cash, cheque, Mastercard, Visa or EFTPOS.
• Payments can be made by cash, cheque or credit card (except Diners and American Express) at any branch of Australia Post. Please ensure you have your rates notice with you.

BPAY View

• BPay view is offered by many banks and billers. It is an easy way to have your bills delivered directly to your online banking platform. 

Centrelink Deductions 

• Centrepay – Ratepayers who receive payments from Centrelink can arrange for regular, automatic rate deductions from their fortnightly Centrelink payment. Payments can be set up from your My Gov account or by contacting Centrelink.

Periodic Direct Debits

• Periodic direct debits are available for making rate payments. Please contact the Council's Customer Service Centre on 07 4932 9000 for further information.
  

Pre-payment ensures that payment of your rates is made much easier by not being burdened with a lump sum payment.

You will be able to pay by the due date and take full advantage of prompt payment discount.

All payments received prior to the rates billing will appear on the notice as a balance brought forward and will be deducted off the total rates for that period.

You can set up or make regular payments towards your rates via any of Council's preferred payment options.

For further information contact Council on 07 4932 9000.

Yes Council offers a 10% discount when rates notices are paid in full on or before the due date. 

Rates and charges as shown on the rates notice are to be paid in full 30 days from the date of issue on the notice. If you are having difficulty paying your rates by the due date please contact Council on 07 4932 9000.

Council allows a Pensioner Rate Rebate for pensioners who qualify under the State Government guidelines. Applicants approved for the Government subsidy also receive the Council subsidy.

For further information contact Council's Customer Service Centre on 07 4932 9000. 

Related information:

Queensland Government Pension Concession Rates Subsidy Information.

Rockhampton Regional Council's Rates Concession Policy. 

Pensioner Rates Subsidies Form

Emergency Levy

This Levy will be charged for all rateable land within declared areas in accordance with the provisions of the Community Safety Legislation Amendment Regulation No. 1, 2013. The amount of the charge varies according to whether the property is vacant or developed, and the type of such development.

Queensland Fire and Rescue Service provides Council with a schedule of charges, and Council collects this levy on behalf of the State Government.

This charge is levied at the time of issue of rates notices.

Water Rates

Council will make and levy a water supply charge on all relevant land within declared water supply areas in the Region. Council will charge using a two part tariff with a graduated single tier access charge and a separate consumption charge. Water consumption accounts are issued quarterly on a rolling fortnightly basis.  Water accounts are only issued for water usage charges as water access charges are included on rates notices. 

Rural Fire Services Levy

A special charge will be levied on all rateable land within the respective Rural Fire Brigade districts for the purpose of raising funds for each Brigade. Funds collected are for the purpose of contributing to the operation costs of fire fighting and where appropriate the purchase of equipment.

Road Levy Separate Charge

A separate charge for the purpose of meeting a contribution to the costs of renewal for the Region’s road network generally, whose benefit is considered to be spread uniformly across the Region, will be made and levied equally on all rateable land within the Region.

Sewerage Charges

Council will make and levy a sewerage charge on all relevant land within declared sewerage areas in the Region.

Waste and Recycling Charges

Council will make and levy a waste and/or recycling charge on all relevant land within declared waste collection areas within the Region.

Natural Environment Separate Charge

A separate charge for the purpose of funding for services such as environmental protection, enhancement and conservation, recycling and general waste management activities not covered by the Waste Charge will be made and levied equally on all rateable land within the Region.

Rates notices are sent to ratepayers current postal address as recorded at time of issue. Registered owners must notify Council each time their postal address changes to ensure records are up to date.

You can notify Council of your change in address by calling 07 4932 9000 or by completing the Change of Postal Address Form (PDF, 216KB) and emailing (enquiries@rrc.qld.gov.au) or posting it back to Council (PO Box 1860, Rockhampton, Qld, 4700).

A copy of the Rockhampton Revenue Statement can be accessed at the below link. 

Revenue Statement 2024-2025(PDF, 904KB)

A copy of the Rockhampton Regional Council 2024/25 Budget can be accessed at the below link. 

Rockhampton Regional Council 2024/25 Budget(PDF, 3MB)

2024/2025 Budget(PDF, 3MB) 

2023/2024 Key Rating Information(PDF, 961KB)

2023/2024 Budge at a Glance(PDF, 4MB)

Receive your rates notice via email(PDF, 467KB)

Council’s rates are determined by many factors, of which land valuations form a part of. 

It is a common misconception that if your land valuation goes up, your rates will go up by the same amount.

The extent that rates may increase or decrease is not directly reflective of the percentage increase of the land valuation. Land valuation is just one factor considered to determine your rates. 

For more information on how your rates are calculated, see below. 

Rates are calculated based on an algorithm.

Firstly, we calculate the amount of money needed to service the Rockhampton region. This amount is then divided by the total value of all land valuations in the region, which equals a figure known as a ‘rate in a dollar’. The rate in a dollar is then multiplied by your individual land valuation. Service charges are then added to this amount to determine your final rates and service charges.  

Can't see this image? Click here(PDF, 1MB) 

Council understands that there maybe extenuating circumstances under which a ratepayer, who is normally able to pay their rates is suddenly unable to. Council has both the Debt Recovery, and Rates Relief (Hardship) Policy that may apply to these circumstances. 

Council's Debt Recovery Policy can be found here(PDF, 198KB), the Rates Relief (Hardship) Policy can be found here(PDF, 192KB), the Rates Relief (Hardship) Application form can be found here(PDF, 498KB).

As a property owner, it is your responsibility to pay any debts associated with that property including any applicable rates and water charges. Council's Rates Relief (Hardship) Policy is assessed on a case by case basis, and may be able to offer short term assistance until you are able to resolve your financial situation. The associated Fact Sheet (included in the application form), includes a list of some of the organisations that may be able to provide assistance and guidance to improve your financial situation.

If you are unable to pay your rates charges, and do not make contact with Council, the recovery of these debts may be passed onto Council's debt recovery agency for further action. 

If you are experiencing financial difficulties and cannot pay this notice by the due date, please contact our Customer Service Centre to avoid recovery action and associated costs. 

You can also visit the MoneySmart website for more information or access Financial Councillors, or the Australian Government Services Australia website which has a variety of financial information, services and tools available.