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My rates notice

We issue a rate notice to property owners twice every year, usually in January and July. Each notice covers your rates for the next six months.

Your rates fund essential Council services like:

You have 30 days from the date of your notice to pay your rates notice.

We allocate a rating category to each property, based on how the property is used and the value of its land. We use your property’s rating category to calculate your General rate charge.

The standard charges you are likely to see on the rate notice are:

General rate

The General rate is the basic rate used to fund Council services, which we are required to charge by law.

To find out how your General rate is calculated, see the section below.

Waste Management Utility Charge

The Waste Management Utility Charge covers the cost of waste and recycling collection from your property.

State Emergency Management Levy

We collect the State Emergency Management Levy on behalf of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services. The levy is used to fund our emergency services.

City Transport Improvement Charge

We use monies from the City Transport Improvement Charge to fund our Council cabs, bus stops, bicycle and pedestrian pathways, light rail, improvements to local roads and upgrades to bus services.

Koala Habitat Acquisition and Enhancement Separate Charge

The Koala Habitat Acquisition and Enhancement Separate Charge helps us to purchase koala habitat across the Gold Coast – for more information, please see Koala fund.

Open Space Charge

We use this money to purchase land of environmental significance to protect the Gold Coast’s natural environment, threatened native plants and native animals.

Open Space Maintenance and Enhancement Separate Charge

The Open Space Maintenance and Enhancement Separate Charge is an annual fee which we use to fund natural reserves, nature-based recreation areas, conservation partnerships and programs, and vulnerable species management.

Recreational Space Charge

We use monies from the Recreational Space Charge to purchase large areas for sport and recreation.

Open Space Maintenance and Enhancement Separate Charge

We collect the State Government Waste Disposal Levy on behalf of the Queensland government. For more information visit their website.

How your General rate is calculated

Your general rate charge is based on the value of your land and your property’s rating category. We also charge every property owner with other rates and standard charges that we set each year.

The value of your land is set each year by the Queensland Government's Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy (DNRME). For information about land valuations, see the DNRME website, contact DNRME on 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or visit a DNRME office.

Your property's rating category is based on how the property is used (such as owner-occupier, permanent or tourist rental, or commercial use). The definitions of property use are explained in our City Plan. If you change the way your property is used (for example, if you rent out your house), please let us know by completing our data collection form so we can change your rating category.

Submit data collection form

To calculate the general rate charge, we use the average of your land valuation over the previous three years multiplied by our rate for your relevant rating category. A minimum general rate will apply if your land value is below a set threshold.

When the rateable value of your land changes, we will change your general rate from the date of the valuation notice.

Please see our Rating Category Statement for a summary of the categories used to rate properties on the Gold Coast. Refer to the Table of Differential Rating Categories and Rates in the Revenue Statement and Ratings Resolutions for a summary of Council's annual differential general rate values for each category.

Frequently asked questions

Find answers to frequently asked questions about your rate notice below.

Related information

Fees & charges

View all fees and charges

Frequently asked questions

How do I notify the City of my authorisation for another party to act on my behalf with regards to my rates and water bills?

Note: Notifications will only be accepted from the registered owner of the property or in the case of a trust or a company, the Director of the trust or company.

Property(s) held in the name of individual person(s): By completing the Nominate Authorised Representative form.

Alternatively, you can call us on 1300 366 659 or +61 7 5667 5995. Please quote the rates or water and sewerage notice reference number, property address and current postal address.

Property(s) held in the name of a trust or in a company name: By the Director completing the Nominate Authorised Representative form.

I have only just purchased the property, am I expected to pay the rate notice?

Yes, normally any new or unpaid rates owing on a property before purchase should have been adjusted in your favour in settlement figures. You may care to check settlement documents or contact your solicitor to confirm the nature of the rate adjustment made upon settlement.

What should I do if I am unable to pay my rates on time?

If you are unable to pay your rates in full and on time, please contact us before the due date to organise a weekly/fortnightly payment arrangement. You can also set up a payment plan online as a registered user of My Account.

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