Perth Business Improvement Levies - Calculation Guide

Business and Consumer Protection Western Australia 3 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026 Flag of Western Australia

In Perth, Western Australia, business improvement levies are a city-level charge used to fund place-based services, marketing and infrastructure in defined commercial precincts. This guide explains how levies are set and calculated, who administers them, and the practical steps for businesses to check, pay or dispute a levy. It covers the legal basis used by Perth council, typical calculation methods, enforcement routes and where to find official forms and contacts.

Check your rate notice and precinct map to confirm whether your property is in a levy area.

How levies are authorised and calculated

Councils commonly use a special rates or specified area mechanism to raise business improvement levies. In Perth, the council sets the levy by council resolution or under a specified area rate instrument; consult the City of Perth rates information for local procedures and rate bases. [1]

  • Common bases: gross rental value, capital value, fixed band, or a flat per-property amount.
  • Levy calculation often appears on the annual rate notice or a separate levy notice provided to affected properties.
  • Effective period: typically set for a financial year or a multi-year program as resolved by council.

Penalties & Enforcement

Responsibility for administering and enforcing levy collection rests with the City of Perth or the designated local government department; the legal authority is generally the Local Government Act and the council's rates instruments. [2]

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: whether first, repeat or continuing offences attract different penalties is not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: recovery actions, interest on unpaid amounts, charging orders, or legal action may be used; specific remedies are not specified on the cited page.
  • Enforcer and complaints: By-law Enforcement or the Rates Office at the City of Perth handles inspections, notices and complaint intake; contact details are on the council site. [1]
  • Appeals and review: appeals against a levy generally follow objection routes for rates or review procedures set by council; time limits for lodging objections are not specified on the cited page.
  • Defences and discretion: councils may accept applications for hardship, abatements or discounts where permitted by policy, or grant exemptions if a variance process exists; check the council policy for details.
If you disagree with a levy, lodge an objection as soon as possible and keep records of correspondence.

Applications & Forms

The City of Perth publishes rate notices and any specific levy forms on its rates and payments pages; if no dedicated form is listed, contact the Rates Office for required documentation. [1]

  • Typical form names: objection to rates, application for payment plan, or levy relief request — check the council site for current forms.
  • Submission: online via the council website, by post, or in person at the council offices depending on the published process.
  • Deadlines: vary by instrument; the council rate notice or levy notice will state any time limits.

Common violations

  • Failure to pay the levy by the due date.
  • Failure to lodge a required objection or application within the stated period.
  • Incorrect reporting of rateable land or business status.

FAQ

Who decides whether a business improvement levy applies to my property?
The City of Perth council approves levy areas and rates; affected properties are notified by council.
How can I find the levy amount for my property?
Check your annual rate notice or the council rates page for levy details; contact the Rates Office if the levy is not listed. [1]
What if I cannot afford to pay the levy?
Request a payment plan or submit a hardship application to the council as directed on the rates pages.

How-To

  1. Confirm whether your property is in a levy precinct by checking the council levy map or your rate notice.
  2. Review the levy calculation basis on the notice (unit, value basis or flat rate) and the council resolution or instrument that sets it.
  3. Contact the City of Perth Rates Office for any discrepancies and request official forms if required.
  4. Pay the levy via the methods listed on the council site or apply for a payment plan if eligible.
  5. If you dispute the levy, follow the formal objection or appeal process set out by council and lodge within the stated timeframe.

Key Takeaways

  • Levies are set by council instruments and appear on rate notices or separate levy notices.
  • Contact the City of Perth Rates Office early to resolve disputes or request payment arrangements.
  • Official forms and procedural details are published on the council rates pages; where absent, call the council for guidance. [1]

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Perth - Rates and payments
  2. [2] Western Australian Legislation - Local Government Act and related instruments

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