Council rate changes affect homeowners, landlords and residents planning their household or property costs. The available official material does not establish a current Brisbane or Gold Coast percentage increase, so older figures should not be used for present-day budgeting.
What are the current Brisbane and Gold Coast council rate rises?
The available source material does not include the current annual budgets, rating-category guidance or rates notices for either council. There is therefore no reliable current percentage, dollar amount or suburb comparison to report here.
Check your latest council rates notice for the amount applying to your property. If you are buying, also consider the ongoing costs of owning a lot in a body corporate property, including regular body corporate levies.
The Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997, known as the BCCM Act, regulates most Queensland community titles schemes. Your body corporate certificate should show the levies payable. Levy amounts vary between schemes, depending on the condition and age of common property and shared facilities.
How do Brisbane council rates apply to short-term accommodation properties?
Short-term accommodation can involve planning and building questions, as well as council rating issues. Brisbane City Council describes a bed and breakfast as short-term commercial visitor accommodation operated and maintained by the host. A bed and breakfast is treated as a home-based business under Brisbane City Plan 2014, but this does not include every other form of short-term accommodation.
A bed and breakfast may need planning approval or building approval. Before setting up this type of business, owners should check the property’s zoning, neighbourhood plans and overlays.
The available source does not confirm a current Brisbane surcharge, eligibility threshold or exemption for short-term accommodation. Check the current council position before relying on the historical figures previously associated with a transitory accommodation category.
For broader considerations when letting a property, see our guide to short-term rentals in Queensland.
Are Gold Coast holiday rentals charged a different council rate?
The available official material does not confirm whether the Gold Coast currently applies a different council rate to holiday rentals. It also does not support a current percentage, surcharge or exemption.
Owners and landlords should check the property’s latest rates notice and obtain current information from the relevant council before assuming holiday letting will change the charge. The treatment of a holiday rental may also need to be considered alongside planning, tenancy and body corporate requirements.
How can body corporate residents check which costs they are responsible for?
Council rates and body corporate levies are separate costs. Levies contribute to the body corporate’s day-to-day running costs, while council rates relate to the individual property.
Your body corporate certificate can show the levies for the next financial year, the latest financial statement and any outstanding levies. You can also request body corporate records, including financial information and meeting minutes, by making a written request and paying the required fee.
The plan of subdivision can help identify maintenance responsibilities. If you are unsure whether a cost relates to your lot or common property, ask the body corporate manager or secretary.
What should owners and landlords check before budgeting for council rates?
Before setting a budget, check:
- your latest council rates notice
- any current council guidance for short-term accommodation
- your body corporate certificate and levy notices
- the scheme’s financial statements and meeting minutes
- the by-laws, particularly if the property will be rented or used for short stays.
Check council rate changes and body corporate costs separately so one is not mistaken for the other. For help understanding body corporate costs, contact StrataCare at reception@stratacare.com.au.
