Cairns Regional Council rates 2026-27
owner-occupied principal place of residence
The minimum residential general rate in the Cairns Regional Council area for 2026-27 is $1,165 a year, up 3.9% ($44) on the $1,121 charged in 2025-26. That's 19% below the QLD median of $1,436.
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Where council rates sit in a typical Cairns Regional Council running cost
Last updated July 2026 · source: Cairns Regional Council 2026-27 budget / revenue statement
2025-26 vs 2026-27
| Year | Minimum residential rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | $1,121 | N/A |
| 2026-27 | $1,165 | +$44 (+3.9%) |
How Cairns Regional Council compares to nearby councils
| Council | Residential rate | vs Cairns Regional Council |
|---|---|---|
| Cairns Regional Council (this council) | $1,165 | n/a |
| Townsville City Council | $1,343 | +$178 |
| Toowoomba Regional Council | $1,444 | +$279 |
| Mackay Regional Council | $1,466 | +$301 |
| Noosa Council | $1,540 | +$375 |
Across QLD, the median minimum residential rate is $1,436. Cairns Regional Council is 19% below the QLD median of $1,436. These are minimum rates. The figure most owner-occupiers pay is higher, scaled to their land value.
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Suburbs in the Cairns Regional Council area
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Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum council rate in Cairns Regional Council for 2026-27?
The minimum residential general rate for an owner-occupied home in the Cairns Regional Council area is $1,165 a year for 2026-27, up 3.9% on 2025-26. Homes on higher land values pay more, calculated as a rate in the dollar above this minimum.
How do Cairns Regional Council rates compare to nearby councils?
Cairns Regional Council's minimum residential rate of $1,165 is 19% below the QLD median of $1,436. Nearby, Townsville City Council charges $1,343 and Mackay Regional Council charges $1,466.
Why do council rates vary between suburbs in the same council?
The minimum rate is the same across a council area, but most properties pay more than the minimum: the rate is a set number of cents per dollar of land value, so a suburb with higher land values pays higher rates for the same council.
Rates change every July
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