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Rate notice · NSW · 2026-27

Newcastle Council rates 2026-27

$1,858 average residential rate,
OLG data uplifted by the IPART rate peg

The average residential rate in the Newcastle Council area for 2026-27 is $1,858 a year, based on 2024-25 OLG data uplifted to the 2026-27 rate peg. That's 45% above the NSW median of $1,282.

Council rates are usually the smallest of the main running costs. Across Newcastle Council suburbs, the average commute costs about $17,600 and insurance about $2,711 a year, with commute often 9 times the rates bill.
Calculate the full cost of living for your suburb in Newcastle Council

Where council rates sit in a typical Newcastle Council running cost

Council rates
$1,858
Water & sewerage
$1,377
Commute (driving)
$17,600
Insurance
$2,711

Rates are one line on a bigger bill. See the full picture for your suburb.

Last updated July 2026 · source: Newcastle Council revenue policy (OLG / IPART peg)

The 2026-27 average residential rate

This is an average across every residential property in the Newcastle Council area, not a fixed charge. Individual bills track land value, so a house on a larger or more valuable block pays more than $1,858 and a unit usually pays less. The IPART peg caps how much a council can raise in total rates income, not what any single property pays.

How Newcastle Council compares to nearby councils

CouncilResidential ratevs Newcastle Council
Port Stephens Council$1,415$-443
Cessnock Council$1,458$-400
Lake Macquarie Council$1,763$-95
Newcastle Council (this council)$1,858n/a
Maitland Council$1,970+$112

Across NSW, the median average residential rate is $1,282. Newcastle Council is 45% above the NSW median of $1,282. These are average rates reported to the NSW Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg. Individual properties pay more or less depending on land value.

Your suburb

See what your Newcastle Council suburb actually costs to run

Rates are just one line. Get your suburb's full annual cost (rates, water, commute, insurance and electricity) plus a free report with the 10-year total, flood & fire risk, schools and a verdict on where's cheaper to live.

50 Newcastle Council suburbs covered · free report, no spam.

Suburbs in the Newcastle Council area

Prefer to browse? Newcastle Council covers 50 suburbs in SuburbCost, each with council rate, water, commute, insurance and estimated electricity, plus a free report:

Frequently asked questions

What is the average council rate in Newcastle Council for 2026-27?

The average residential rate for a home in the Newcastle Council area is $1,858 a year for 2026-27. It's the OLG-reported average residential rate for the council, uplifted by its IPART rate peg. Individual properties pay more or less depending on land value.

How do Newcastle Council rates compare to nearby councils?

Newcastle Council's average residential rate of $1,858 is 45% above the NSW median of $1,282. Nearby, Lake Macquarie Council charges $1,763 and Port Stephens Council charges $1,415.

Why does SuburbCost show an average rate for NSW councils?

NSW councils don't publish a single minimum rate the way Queensland councils do. Instead we use the average residential rate each council reports to the NSW Office of Local Government, uplifted by that council's IPART rate peg for 2026-27.

Rates change every July

Get Newcastle Council's updated rate and see how it compares when the 2027-28 figures land. One email a year, no spam.

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