If you've fallen behind on your rates payments or you're experiencing financial hardship, you can apply for support.
We understand that people sometimes need extra support or time. Please don't ignore any rates or reminder notices – talk to us about your options.
We can help you:
- Set up a payment plan.This can be helpful if you've fallen behind on payments and need more time.
- Apply for hardship support. If you're experiencing severe hardship, we may be able to defer rates payments or waive interest charges.
- Available up to 24 months
- Available to residential and non-residential ratepayers
- Penalty interest will not be charged.
If you've fallen behind on your rates payments, a payment plan will let you pay off overdue rates through smaller regular payments each week, fortnight or month.
The goal is to clear the overdue amount within a 12-month period, but longer payment periods might be available in some circumstances.
Short-term payment extension
If you can pay the full amount within 90 days, you can also apply for a short-term payment extension.
Things to consider
- If you set up a payment plan and make all of your payments on time, you won't be charged interest.
- You might receive your next annual rates notice while you're still making repayments, so you will need to factor this into your budgeting.
- If you miss payments, or don't follow the agreement, penalty interest of 10% per year may apply, in line with Victorian Government legislation.
Apply now
Apply for a payment plan
You can also apply for a payment plan through our appointed collection agency CollectAU. Call 7004 8200 and select option 4.
If you are experiencing severe financial hardship, you may be able to get support, including deferring your rates payments or having interest charges waived.
Support options
Deferring rates and charges
Residential ratepayers
- Available and reviewed each year
- Penalty interest will not be charged
- We will pause debt recovery and legal action
- You will need to repay the amount when your circumstances improve or the property changes ownership.
Non-residential ratepayers
- Available for up to 3 years (reviewed each year)
- Penalty interest will not be charged
- We will pause debt recovery and legal action
- You will need to repay the amount when your circumstances improve or the property changes ownership.
Waiving rates or charges
Residential ratepayers
- Not available under Monash policy.
Non-residential ratepayers
- Not available under Monash policy.
Waiving interest or legal costs
Residential ratepayers
- May be available in cases of significant hardship
- Requests are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Non-residential ratepayers
- Not available under Monash policy.
Apply now
Apply for hardship support
Our team will review the information you provide and be in touch. Please provide as much information as possible in your application to speed up the process.
When reviewing and assessing your application, our team will be guided by Council’s Rates and Charges Hardship Policy(PDF, 780KB).
If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of your hardship support application, you can request a review of the decision.
Your appeal should:
- outline the reasons you are seeking a review and
- include any additional supporting information or documentation that may assist in reassessing your application.
Your appeal will be assessed by an independent Council officer who was not involved in the original decision. This helps ensure the review is fair and impartial.
Once your appeal has been received, Council will consider your submission and notify you of the outcome in writing.
Start an appeal