Understanding your rates
Find out how your rates are calculated and what each part of your annual rates notice means.
Find on this page:
- Where your rates go
- What’s included in your notice
- How rates are calculated
- How the City sets its rates
Where your rates go
Rates help fund essential services, programs and facilities our community relies on every day.
Your investment allows us to deliver a range or services including build local roads and footpaths, maintain parks and playgrounds, construct sporting facilities and community buildings, collect household rubbish, run our local libraries.
How we calculate your rates
Your rates are calculated by multiplying your property’s valuation by a differential rate in the dollar, which Council sets each year. There is also a minimum rates amount that applies to ensure everyone contributes fairly.
Property values are set independently by the Landgate Valuer General’s Office. Most urban properties like homes and businesses receive a Gross Rental Value (GRV), while rural or farming properties are given an Unimproved Value (UV).
The GRV reflects what your property could reasonably earn in rent over a year. When determining GRV, Landgate takes into account factors such as location, size, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, construction materials and whether there is a garage or carport.
This means if your property valuation is different to your neighbour's the amount of rates you pay will differ accordingly.
For more information about how GRV is set, visit the Landgate website.
What’s included on your notice
Rates notices are sent to home, land and business owners in the City of Wanneroo in August each year which includes more than just your general rates .
- Emergency Services Levy (ESL)
This is set by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (WA). The City collects this on your behalf and passes it directly to DFES. - Waste service fee
This is displayed separately to show the cost of your household bin collection and waste management. - Swimming pool inspection fee
If you have a registered swimming pool or spa, an annual swimming pool inspection fee will be included. This fee covers mandatory pool fence safety inspections every four years. Rather than charging a large amount every four years, the City spreads the cost across each year.
For more information on what’s on your rates notice, download the Your Rates Notice Explained brochure.
How the City set its rates
Each year, the City reviews its services, community priorities and operating costs. We look at all income sources including rates, government funding, fees and reserve funds. The rate in the dollar is then set to balance the City’s funding needs with what’s fair for the community.
Below is a step-by-step guide explaining how your rates are set:
Step 1: Calculate the revenue needed to run the City
The City determines how much money it needs to cover the costs of delivering services and maintaining infrastructure, after subtracting other income sources such as government grants, rental income, facility hire fees and service charges. This calculation shows the total amount to be raised from rates.
Step 2: Calculate the rate in the dollar
The rate in the dollar is calculated by dividing the total revenue required from rates by the combined rental value of all rateable properties in the City, as supplied by Landgate.
Step 3: Calculate your rates payable
Your property’s valuation is multiplied by the rate in the dollar to determine the amount of rates you need to pay for the year, which helps fund the City’s services and projects.