Pay your rates

Note: A fee of 0.4% of the transaction value applies to all card payments. Find out more.

To make it as easy as possible to pay your rates, the City of Swan offers several different payment options. You can pay your annual rates in full, by instalments, by direct debit, or a self-managed payment plan.

Learn the diverse ways to pay your rates below.

Rate payment options

If you require assistance from the Interpretation Service, please use the following contact details:

Post your cheque (cash will not be accepted) to the City of Swan, PO Box 196, Midland, WA, 6936.

You can pay your rates in person at the City of Swan Administration Centre, a City of Swan library, or any Australia Post Office.

Please take your rate notice with you to make payment. If you do not have a notice we can still  help with your payment.

The following payment options are accepted at the City of Swan Administration Centre:

  • cash
  • cheque
  • EFTPOS, and
  • Visa, Amex or Mastercard credit cards.

Accepted at all City libraries:

  • EFTPOS
  • Visa, Amex or Mastercard
  • Maximum credit card limit of $30,000.

Please contact your local post office to find out their accepted payment options.
 

Direct debit ensures your rates are automatically paid from your savings or cheque account every fortnight. View the Direct Debit Terms and Conditions.

To set up a direct debit, register for the City's Online Services Portal(open in new window). If you have not received your 2023/24 rate notice please call Rating Service on 08 9267 9160 and we will send an email with your activation code, or we can send the application via email or mail.

Plans or instalments

If you're unable to pay your rates in full, you may want to consider the following options. 

This allows you to pay your rates in four instalments. However, certain conditions apply when choosing this option:

  1. You must pay the first instalment by the due date specified on the Notice. Otherwise, this  option will no longer be available to you and you'll need to pay the amount in full or contact  Rating Services to discuss alternative payment options, such as direct debit or payment plan
  2. As per the Special Meeting of Council of June 28, 2023, Council resolved to continue interest at five per cent and no administration charge for ratepayers entering into the formal rates instalment program
  3. Penalty interest at five per cent per annum will be accruing on a daily basis on all Rates and Specified Area Rates for Midland District Drainage, Hazelmere/Guildford District Drainage, Hazelmere Industrial Area Infrastructure GRV or UV, that remain unpaid after the due date (penalty interest does not apply to current rates due by registered Pensioners or Seniors)
  4. Emergency service levy (ESL) penalty interest will be accruing daily at eleven per cent (11%) per annum on all overdue ESL charges as determined by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).

The adopted instalment due dates for 2023/24 are:

  • 8 September 2023
  • 10 November 2023
  • 19 January 2024
  • 22 March 2024 

If you'd like to discuss the option of arranging an individualised payment plan, please contact Rating Services on 08 9267 9160 to discuss registering for our Online Services Portal(open in new window) where you  can set up a payment arrangement when it suits you
Extreme financial hardship

Extreme financial hardship

If you are experiencing genuine extreme financial hardship due to exceptional circumstances you may be eligible to apply for extreme financial hardship. 

Explore the Extreme Financial Hardship Guidelines(open in new window) and apply for assistance(open in new window) if eligible.

Submit your application either:

Download guidelines(open in new window) Apply now(open in new window)

Late payments

A five per cent per annum penalty interest charge accrues daily on all overdue rates and specified area rates.

Emergency service levy (ESL) penalty interest will be accruing daily at eleven per cent per annum on all overdue ESL charges as determined by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).

Recovery of Rates

If the amount shown as payable in respect of rates and charges is not paid in full, or the first instalment is not paid by the due date, the full amount will become overdue and may be recovered by court action (general procedure claim, which if ignored, may be followed by a Property Seizure and Sale Order).

If a General Procedure Claim is issued against you, all legal fees incurred will be added to your property's outstanding balance, the default is registered by the Magistrates Court and is available to all credit reporting agencies within Australia where the details are shown for a period up to five years.

See the Rates Legal Recovery Steps(open in new window) and Rates Legal Recovery Guidelines(open in new window) for more information. 

Outside Ballajura library

Sign up for eRates

We've transitioned rates payments to an exciting new online services portal. If you would like to receive rate notices by email, please contact us.

Contact us(open in new window)

Change of address

If you've changed your address or you're about to, please advise the City in writing or via our online change of address form.

Authority to act

If you want to nominate an individual/s to have authority to act on your behalf, please submit the Authority to Act Form(open in new window).

Refund request

Is your rates account in credit and you'd like a refund? Please complete a refund request form. 

Ngalak Maali Boodja Kaditj, Whadjuk Moort Noongar Boodjara, Baalap Kalyagool Noyyang, Boodja Kep Moort, Ngalak Kwabaduk Wirn, Kabarli Bworan Kora Kora, Yeyi Ngoongoolong.

The City of Swan acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of this region, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and their descendants.

Aboriginal artwork by Norlap Creative in partnership with Nerolie Bynder.

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