Rates summary - Budget 2021-22

This summary explains the differences for rates, levies, discounts and rebates as a result of the 2021-22 Lord Mayor's Budget.

General rates

In order to continue delivering essential services, and invest in our city's growth, owner-occupied residential rates have risen by 3.75%. This compares to an increase of 2.5% in the 2020-21 budget which was offset by the Special COVID-19 Rebate and Kingsford Smith Drive Savings Rebate.

    Rate capping, discounts and rebates

    • Pensioner rates rebates will increase by 3.75%.
    • Not-for-profit organisations will continue to receive a partial-rate rebate of 50% of general rates.
    • Council is extending its JobSeeker Rebate, which offers assistance to owner-occupied ratepayers who are unemployed and receiving the JobSeeker allowance from the Australian Government at any time during the 2021-22 financial year by offering a partial rebate of $250 as a credit applied to their rate account. This assistance commenced in 2020-21 and has been extended for the 2021-22 financial year.
    • 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 12.5% for 2021-22. 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 3.75% from $350.92 to $364.08.
    • The Commercial Waste Utility Charge of $66.32 reflects the Queensland Government’s Waste Disposal Levy and is applied to commercial rate accounts.
    • 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 2021-22 budget by $28.24 for owner-occupied properties and $37.60 for non-owner occupied, bringing them to $780.36 and $1,039.32 respectively.
    • 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.

    Last updated:

    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.