Council Rates
Property rates are Council's principal revenue source.
Valuations provided by the Valuer-General are used to calculate the rates on each property. These calculations, known as the Assessed Annual Value (AAV) are subject to six-yearly revaluations and two-yearly adjustment factors.
Read more about the Property Valuation and Adjustment Factors here or via the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environments' website
Collection of Council's rates is essential to the funding of services and capital works and to encourage this.
You may choose to pay your rates in full on or by the due date as specified on the rate demand, or by instalments:
- 31 August 2026
- 30 November 2026
- 26 February 2027
Council will enforce these dates and a 5% penalty will be applied on any remaining outstanding balance after each due date.
Supplementary notices are sent throughout the year to properties affected by subdivision, or any amendment to the improvements on their property. Improvements consist of buildings, fencing and private road infrastructure. Supplementaries are to be paid within 30 days of issue of notice.
Any ratepayer who is experiencing genuine difficulty in meeting a payment can apply for alternative payment arrangements by contacting Council's Revenue Officer on 6452 4837.
Emailed Rates Notice
Circular Head Council now has the ability to email your rates notices to your email address. Should you wish to change to this option, please check your latest rates notice – check for the green circle with an e in the middle of your notice. Go to the website circularhead.enotices.com.au and input the reference number that is populated on your notice. You can then set up a password and your details. Rates notices will be available whenever you need to access them by logging onto the website.
All Ratepayers are urged to read Council's Debt Recovery Policy and Debt Recovery Guidelines.
Rates Charges 2026/27
General Rate | 6.000461 cents per dollar of the Assessed Annual Value (AAV) with a minimum charge of $450 |
Forestry/Plantation General Rate | 12.000922 cents per dollar of the Assessed Annual Value (AAV) with a minimum charge of $450 |
Mining Manufacturing General Rate | 18.001383 cents per dollar of the Assessed Annual Value (AAV) with a minimum charge of $450 |
Manufacturing Food Processing General Rate | 6.000461 cents per dollar of the Assessed Annual Value (AAV) with a minimum charge of $100,000 |
Quarrying General Rate | 18.001383 cents per dollar of the Assessed Annual Value (AAV) with a minimum charge of $450 |
Sawmills General Rate | 6.000461 cents per dollar of the Assessed Annual Value (AAV) with a minimum charge of $12,000 |
Urban Vacant General Rate | 18.001383 cents per dollar of the Assessed Annual Value (AAV) with a minimum charge of $450 |
Waste | Urban Bin Collection $150 per bin service per annum |
Recycling | $75.00 per bin service per annum |
FOGO Collection | $88 per bin service per annum |
Fire Levy | Urban 0.269501 in AAV or $52 minimum |
Smithton Stormwater | 1.417137 Cents per dollar of the Assessed Annual Value (AAV) |
Stanley Stormwater | 1.494104 Cents per dollar of the Assessed Annual Value (AAV) |
Fire Levy is collected on behalf of the State Fire Commission and is set by Treasury each year.
Pensioner Remissions
Pension Remissions are administered by the State Revenue Office (State Government).
Any one claiming a Pension Remission must complete an application form (available below), and sign the declaration and permission statement prior to any action being undertaken by Council.
Prior to any remission being applied an application form must be completed, and the declaration signed. A new form must be completed with any change of circumstance.
For more information please see this document - Pensioner Remission Information.
Methods of Payment
Telephone & Internet Banking - BPAY
Contact your bank, credit union or building society to make payment from your cheque, savings or credit card account. Biller Code is 414136 and your reference number is located at the top right hand corner of your rates notice. More info Click Here.
Paying in Person
Present notice at Circular Head Council Office 33 Goldie Street Smithton Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm. Council accepts cash, cheque and EFTPOS. No cash out available.
Paying by Mail
Send to Circular Head Council, PO Box 348 Smithton 7330 with relevant rate tear off.
Credit Card Payments by phone
Call (03) 6452 4800 Monday - Friday 8.15am to 5pm. Mastercard or Visa only. Please have your credit card ready and quote your property number.
Paying by Direct Debit
Applications forms are available at the Council Office or by calling 6452 4837.
BPAY View
BPAY View® sends your bills straight to the same online bank you use to pay them. All you need is online banking and your most recent rates notice.
With convenient email, SMS or bank message reminders* and secure online or mobile access, BPAY View makes it easy to pay on time, every time† from anywhere in the world^. And BPAY View is easy on the environment too.
Say goodbye to paper bills! With BPAY View, receive, pay and store your bills in your online bank. Register today at your online bank.
BPAY®and BPAY View®are trademarks of BPAY Pty Ltd ABN 69 079 137 518. *Notification options may vary for each Financial Institution. Contact your Financial Institution for further information and terms and conditions. †Subject to availability of funds. ^BPAY View is accessible anytime and anywhere you have access to your online, mobile or phone bank.