Rates FAQs

For more information on how Council relies on rates to service our community, view the complete breakdown page.

Pay your rates online

Understanding rates and charges

Council collects rates each year to fund essential services such as waste and recycling collection, roads, water, parks, and community facilities. The amount is set through Council’s annual budget process and takes into account grants, fees, and service costs.

Most of Council’s revenue comes from rates on residential and commercial properties. These contributions help cover the cost of vital services and facilities, as well as regulatory responsibilities given to local governments under the Queensland Local Government Act 2009.

The rates notice includes both general rates and charges for water access, sewerage, cleansing and the Emergency Management Levy which is collected on behalf of the State Government.

Water usage charges are billed separately; notices are issued three times per year based on meter readings.

Water notices are due at least 30 days from the date of issue.

Independent rates benchmarking shows Cairns' residents continue to receive some of the best value in Queensland. The Rates Benchmarking 2026/27 Summary ( PDF, 3.48 MB ) confirms Cairns consistently ranks among the most affordable councils in the state for residential rates and utility charges.

If you have questions or concerns about your rates notice, please contact Council directly.

What are General Rates?

General Rates fund Council services and infrastructure for the entire community and our city’s visitors. This includes libraries, community centres, roads, footpaths and cycleways, park maintenance and community events.

General Rates do not fund privately-owned infrastructure such as driveways, walking paths, gardens, communal swimming pools or tennis courts, security gates or street lighting inside the property boundary.

The responsibility for infrastructure within the property boundary lies with the owner.

How are my rates calculated?

The amount each property owner pays is based on two key factors: the property’s value and its rating category.

Each category has a specific “rate in the dollar” that is applied to the property value to calculate the general rate.

A minimum general rate also applies within each category to ensure all property owners make a fair and equitable contribution toward the cost of delivering Council infrastructure and services.

How are my rates spent?

Every dollar of rates goes directly back into the community.

Rates allow Council to deliver the essential services and facilities people rely on every day, like safe roads and footpaths, reliable water and wastewater systems, waste and recycling collection, and well-maintained parks and playgrounds.

They also fund important areas such as libraries, cultural programs, animal management, community safety, and economic development.

A significant portion of rates also contributes to staff wages, ensuring Council has the skilled workforce needed to provide these services and keep the city running smoothly.

While nobody likes to see rates rise, the reality is that the costs of providing these services (construction, utilities, wages, materials, and maintenance) continue to increase each year.

Rates are Council’s main source of income, and without them we simply couldn’t maintain or improve the services, infrastructure, and lifestyle that make our community a great place to live.

When and how will I receive my rates notice?

Cairns' ratepayers receive their rates notice in their mailbox or inbox twice a year:

• in January/February (for the period 1 January to 30 June)
• in July/August (for the period 1 July to 31 December)

Rates are due at least 30 days from the date of issue of the rate notice. The due date is shown on the front of the notice.

If you would like to receive your Rates and Water Usage Notices by email, you can register for Rates and Water Usage Notices by email.

You will need your assessment number/s to register.

How can I pay my rates?

Council offers a variety of convenient payment options for rates, water billing, infringements, animal registration and other invoices (sundry debtors).

Payble is an online payment option to help you manage your rates.

You can choose to pay your rates in smaller, more frequent payments and never forget a payment again. It’s free, easy to set up and you can check your balance at any time. Plus, if your circumstances change, you can login and adjust how often you pay.

You can visit our Payments page to view your online payment options

What is the Water Access Charge?

The Water Access Charge is a fixed charge and applies to all properties within Council’s water supply schemes and catchments.

This charge contributes to funding the fixed costs to establish, operate, maintain, plan and upgrade our vast network of water infrastructure in providing water supply services to the community.

What is the Sewerage Charge?

The Sewerage Charge is for the collection and treatment of sewage within Council’s declared sewerage service area.

What is the Waste Management Charge?

The Domestic Waste Management Utility Charge Part A is for the removal and disposal of domestic waste in Council’s local government area.

What is the State Emergency Management Levy?

This is a compulsory charge collected on behalf of the State Government under the Fire Services Act 1990.

Charges are levied on each surveyed parcel of land.

Full details are available on the Emergency Management Levy webpage.

What is the State Waste Levy?

The Waste Management Utility Charge Part B (State Waste Levy) is a state-imposed levy on waste sent to landfill.

Council receives funding from the State to help offset this cost, but it does not cover the full amount.