Having difficulty paying your rates?

If you are having difficulty paying your rates, Council can help.

Contact us on 1300 368 333 to discuss a Payment plan or Hardship agreement before your payment is due. You can also apply online using the links below.  

Set up a payment plan

You can set up a payment plan online to help you make your payments. You can select a payment frequency and amount that suits your budget. Council’s minimum requirement is for your payments to be paid over 12 months to cover your current rates and charges.

For help setting up a payment plan, read the FAQ at the bottom of this page.

Set up a payment plan

Apply for a hardship agreement

Customers who are in a position of hardship (financial or other) and unable to meet the terms of a payment plan may be eligible for a hardship agreement.

Read Council's Hardship Policy before applying for a hardship agreement.

If you are eligible for a Hardship Agreement, Council will: 

  • defer rates, charges and penalty interest for 24 months
  • put debt recovery action on hold.

To avoid further financial stress, applicants should try to reduce debts still outstanding within the time of the agreement.

Apply for a hardship agreement 

Apply to extend a hardship agreement

If your hardship agreement is due to expire, we will notify you and you will be required to re-apply to extend your hardship agreement.

 Apply to extend your hardship agreement

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I set up a payment plan?

Visit the Yarra Ranges Payble site or scan the QR code on your rates notice to get started.

  1. Enter your mobile number.
  2. You'll get a code to confirm your identity.
  3. Enter the six-digit security code to log in.
  4. Follow the prompts in Payble to choose your payment frequency. You can choose flexible payments to pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly, or use the autopay option to pay in four instalments.
  5. Choose your payment type: credit card, debit card or bank account.
  6. You’ll be sent an SMS reminder before your payment is due to ensure you have enough funds in your account.
  7. Your payment will be processed automatically on the date you chose.

You can return to the Yarra Ranges Payble site at any time to check your balance or make adjustments.

Go to Yarra Ranges Payble site

What can happen if rates aren't paid?

If you don't pay your rates:

  • All unpaid rates will incur a penalty interest rate of 10.00% per year after the payments due date. This applies to annual and both instalment payment methods.
  • You will continue paying penalty interest on overdue rates and charges until we have received full payment of the outstanding amount.
  • We may recover any outstanding amounts plus interest in a Magistrates court by suing for debt.
  • Under Section 181 of the Local Government Act 1989, we may dispose of property where these circumstances exist:
    • There are rates and charges (including enforcement costs and interest) which are more than 3 years overdue and
    • There is no current arrangement for the payment of overdue rates and charges
    • There is a court order requiring payment or part payment of the overdue rates and charges.

How will my payments be allocated?

Any payments you make on outstanding rates and charges will be allocated in this order:

  • legal costs
  • interest
  • arrears
  • current rates, charges and levies.
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