Rates summary - Budget 2020-21

This summary explains the differences for rates, levies, discounts and rebates as a result of the 2020-21 Lord Mayor's Budget.

Council has implemented a rates freeze for six months from 1 July 2020 until 31 December 2020 to assist in the economic recovery of the city following the coronavirus pandemic.

General rates

In order to continue delivering essential services, and invest in our city's growth, owner-occupied residential rates have risen by 2.5%, which is offset by a six-month rates freeze, achieved by the Special COVID-19 Rebate, resulting in a nett rates increase of 1.25%. This compares to 2.5% in the 2019-20 budget.

    Rate capping, discounts and rebates

    • Pensioner rates rebates will increase by 2.5%.
    • The First Home Owner’s rebate will continue to be available for eligible first home buyers with a 50% rebate to a maximum of $1,000 on rates for the first twelve months of home ownership.
    • An expansion of the First Home Owner’s rebate will commence on 1 October 2020 with a 100% rebate to a maximum of $2,000 on rates for the first twelve months for first home buyers building a new home or buying off the plan. This expansion of the First Home Owner Rebate supports the residential construction industry.
    • Not-for-profit organisations will continue to receive a partial-rate rebate of 50% of general rates.
    • Council has introduced a partial rebate in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that freezes the rates payable for each property to the amount of rates and charges calculated and payable as at the fourth rating quarter of the 2019-20 financial year. This rebate is effective from 1 July 2020 until 31 December 2020, and will result in a six-month rates freeze for all Brisbane rateable properties, where the ownership and use of the property remains the same.
    • Council is supporting owner-occupied ratepayers who are unemployed and receiving the JobSeeker allowance during the 2020-21 financial year with a one-off $250 credit applied to their rate account.
    • Rate capping will continue to be granted at 7.5% of general rates for owner-occupiers of residential properties (categories 1 and 10). This amount remains the same as the previous budget.
    • The rate cap for non-residential/commercial properties included in categories 16 and 17 is 10% for 2020-21. Find out more about rate capping.
    • Council offers a discount on rates to eligible residents with properties in categories 1 or 10 to pay their rates by the due date. This discount remains unchanged at $60 per annum.

    Separate rates and utility charges

    • Waste Utility Charges have increased by 2.5% from $342.36 to $350.92.
    • The Commercial Waste Utility Charge of $60 associated with the Queensland Government’s Waste Disposal Levy and applied to commercial rate accounts has not changed.
    • Environmental Management and Compliance Levy (EMCL) remains at 5% of general rates which is a level that has not been changed since 1997-98.
    • Bushland Preservation Levy remains at 3.5% of general rates.

    Changes in minimum rates

    • Minimum general rates have increased in the 2020-21 budget by $18.36 for owner-occupied properties and $24.44 for non-owner occupied, bringing them to $752.12 and $1,001.72 respectively.
    • This increase is offset by a six-month rate freeze, achieved by the Special COVID-19 Rebate, resulting in a nett minimum general rates after the Special COVID-19 Rebate for owner-occupied properties of $742.94 and nett minimum general rates for non-owner-occupied properties of $989.50.
    • Brisbane continues to have the lowest minimum general rates in South East Queensland.

    More information

    Find out the full details of these charges, discounts, eligibility, and rating categories in the Resolution of Rates and Charges in the budget section.

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    Brisbane City Council acknowledges this Country and its Traditional Custodians. We pay our respects to the Elders, those who have passed into the Dreaming; those here today; those of tomorrow.