What do the words on my rates notice mean?
Explaining what the words in your notice mean
This web page gives definitions and explains words and terms in your rates notice.
Capital Improved Value (CIV)
Your property's value including site value (land), buildings and other improvements.
Rate-in-the-dollar
This is calculated by dividing the total rates we need for the financial year by the total value of all rateable properties in Cardinia Shire.
Victorian Government charges
These include the Victorian Government's Fire Services Property Levy, a levy to fund fire services in Victoria.
Rubbish and recycling service charges
An annual kerbside rubbish and recycling service charge is applied to every property with a dwelling. It is compulsory for all such properties to have this service. The cost will vary depending on whether your property has a 120-litre or 80-litre garbage bin, if you have the (optional) green waste bin, and any additional bin services you have.
Pensioner concession
You can apply for a concession discount on your rates if you hold a Pensioner Concession Card or Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold Card. To see whether this concession has been applied, check for the 'stamp' on the front page of your annual rates notice.
Net Annual Value (NAV)
Fixed by Victorian Government legislation to be 5 per cent of the CIV for residential and rural properties. For commercial or industrial properties it is the estimated annual market rent and cannot be less than 5% of the CIV.
Land Use Classification (AVPCC)
A centralised, independent valuation authority assigns an Australian Valuation Property Classification Code (AVPCC) to your property, according to the use of your land.
This classification is used to calculate the Fire Services Property Levy amount payable (a Victorian Government charge), in accordance with the Fire Services Property Levy Act 2012.
It does not refer to the zoning of the property or how your rates are calculated.
More info: Property valuations
Differential rating system
This system means your rates will be calculated differently according to the type of property you own, such as residential, commercial and industrial, and vacant or unoccupied land. These categories are the fairest way to determine the rates contribution to be made by owners of different property classes.
For example, the Urban Residential rate is a higher rate in the dollar to reflect the greater number of services and facilities in the area, and the higher cost of providing them.