Council issues Rate Notices twice a year, usually in August and February.

You have 31 days from the date your Rate Notice is issued to pay. You can check the due date specified on your rate notice to be extra confident about paying on time. 

Council may also issue a Supplementary Rate Notice when a change to your property, such as a change in valuation, land use or services, affects your rates or charges during the rating period.

Your rating category determines how your property contributes to Council's general rates. Categories are based on factors including the use of the land.

Your rating category and land use code are shown on the front of your Rate Notice. For more information, view General Rate Categories page.

Non-Principal Place of Residence (NPPR)

From the 202627 financial year, Council introduced a Non-Principal Place of Residence (NPPR) rating category.
The category applies to eligible properties that are not the owner's principal place of residence, which may include some rental properties and holiday homes.

View the Non-Principal Place of Residence Factsheet and NPPR Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Learn More About NPPR

 
If you believe your property has been placed in the wrong rating category, you can lodge an objection with Council.

If you think your property has been placed in the wrong rating category, you can ask Council to review it by lodging a formal objection.

You can only object if you believe your property should be in a different rating category.

Find out more about a Notice of Objection Against Categoirsation.

Notice of Objection Against Categorisation

Complete the Notice of Objection against Categorisation form and send it to the Chief Executive Officer, Southern Downs Regional Council.

Your objection must:

• be lodged within 30 days of the date on your rates notice, unless Council gives you more time
• be in writing and addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Southern Downs Regional Council, PO Box 26, Warwick Qld 4370
• say which rating category you think your property should be in
• explain why you believe your property belongs in that category.

Get Started

Rates discount

A 7.5% discount applies to current general rates when your Rate Notice is paid in full by the due date, including any brought-forward balance from a previous financial year.

The discount does not apply to separate, special or utility charges, or the Queensland Government Emergency Management Levy.

 Pensioner subsidy

Eligible Queensland pensioners may be entitled to a subsidy through the Queensland Government Pensioner Rate Subsidy Scheme.

Find out about the Pensioner Rate Subsidy

Difficulty paying

We understand that a lot of households are doing it tough right now, so we are here to make it as easy as possible.

If you are unable to pay your Rate Notice in full, please reach out to our friendly customer service team as soon as possible.

Council may be able to arrange a payment agreement or provide assistance for eligible ratepayers experiencing financial hardship.
[Payment Agreements and Financial Hardship]

 Learn More

Overdue rates

Interest is charged on overdue rates and charges five days after the due date.

Interest is calculated daily and compounded at the rate set by Council each year. View the 2026/27 Revenue Statement for the current interest rate and further information.