Report Late Council Rate Payments - Perth

Labor and Employment Western Australia 4 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026 Flag of Western Australia

Perth residents who suspect unpaid council rates or other overdue council charges can notify the City of Perth so the council can follow its recovery processes. This guide explains who to contact, how the City handles overdue rates, what enforcement actions are available under the governing law, and how to request review or hardship assistance. Where figures or specific forms are not published on the council page, this article notes that and points to the controlling legislation and official council contacts current as of February 2026.

Who handles reports

Reports about unpaid rates, service charges or other council debts are handled by the City of Perth Rates team (Revenue / Rates and Payments). To start a report or ask about a specific property, contact the council's rates office via the official Rates & Payments page City of Perth - Rates & Payments[1].

  • Contact the Rates team by the published phone or online form on the council page.
  • Provide the property address, assessment number if known, and details of the overdue amounts you believe are outstanding.
  • Attach any evidence such as notices, photos or correspondence from the property owner if available.
Include the property assessment number if you have it to speed up council enquiries.

Penalties & Enforcement

The City of Perth applies its revenue recovery measures for unpaid rates and charges and relies on the powers given by the Local Government Act 1995 for recovery and enforcement. Specific monetary penalty figures and escalation steps are not specified on the City of Perth rates page and must be confirmed with the council or the Act itself Local Government Act 1995[2].

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited City of Perth page.
  • Interest or penalty interest on overdue rates: not specified on the cited City of Perth page.
  • Escalation: council recovery, legal proceedings and sale of land are enforcement pathways referenced under the Local Government Act; exact steps and thresholds are not specified on the City of Perth rates page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: recovery orders, registration of debt, legal action and court enforcement; details are set out in the governing legislation and council procedures.
  • Enforcer and contact: City of Perth Rates/Revenue team handles initial enforcement; contact via the council Rates & Payments page.
  • Appeals and reviews: request council review through the rates team; further review or appeals may be available under the Local Government Act or to a tribunal—time limits are not specified on the cited council page.
  • Defences and discretion: hardship assistance, payment plans or remission may be available from council; eligibility and forms should be confirmed with the rates office.
Council pages often advise contacting the rates team for hardship and payment plans rather than listing fixed waivers.

Applications & Forms

The City of Perth publishes online information for rates payments and enquiries but does not list a single, standalone 'report unpaid rates' form on the public page; instead contact methods and payment/hardship information are provided through the Rates & Payments portal. If a dedicated form exists for reporting or for hardship applications, it is supplied by the council on request or via the Rates team contact channels on the council site City of Perth - Rates & Payments[1].

Common violations

  • Failure to pay annual or interim rates by the due date.
  • Repeated non-payment leading to debt recovery notices.
  • Ignoring formal demands that can result in legal proceedings.

FAQ

Can a member of the public report another person's unpaid rates?
Yes. You may notify the City of Perth Rates team with evidence; the council will investigate privately and apply its recovery processes as appropriate.
Will the council tell me the outcome of a report?
The council will usually acknowledge receipt but may not disclose personal or confidential details about debt recovery due to privacy rules.
Is there a fee to report unpaid rates?
No fee is required to submit a report to the council about unpaid rates; any recovery costs charged to the property owner are governed by council policy and legislation.

How-To

  1. Gather information: property address, assessment number, evidence of unpaid notices or observations.
  2. Contact the City of Perth Rates team via the Rates & Payments page or published phone numbers and submit your details and evidence.
  3. Ask the council whether a formal form is required; provide any additional documents they request.
  4. Follow up if you do not receive acknowledgment within a reasonable period; note that investigation can take time.
Keep records of your communications and dates when you report unpaid amounts to the council.

Key Takeaways

  • Report unpaid rates to the City of Perth Rates team with clear property details.
  • The council applies recovery measures under the Local Government Act; specific fines or rates interest are not listed on the council page.
  • Request hardship or payment-plan information directly from the rates office if the owner asks for relief.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Perth - Rates & Payments
  2. [2] Western Australia - Local Government Act 1995

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