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Rate notice · NSW · 2026-27

Port Stephens Council rates 2026-27

$1,415 average residential rate,
OLG data uplifted by the IPART rate peg

The average residential rate in the Port Stephens Council area for 2026-27 is $1,415 a year, based on 2024-25 OLG data uplifted to the 2026-27 rate peg. That's 10% above the NSW median of $1,282.

Council rates are usually the smallest of the main running costs. Across Port Stephens Council suburbs, the average commute costs about $17,600 and insurance about $3,084 a year, with commute often 12 times the rates bill.
Calculate the full cost of living for your suburb in Port Stephens Council

Where council rates sit in a typical Port Stephens Council running cost

Council rates
$1,415
Water & sewerage
$1,377
Commute (driving)
$17,600
Insurance
$3,084

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

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

The 2026-27 average residential rate

This is an average across every residential property in the Port Stephens Council area, not a fixed charge. Individual bills track land value, so a house on a larger or more valuable block pays more than $1,415 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 Port Stephens Council compares to nearby councils

CouncilResidential ratevs Port Stephens Council
Port Stephens Council (this council)$1,415n/a
Dungog Council$1,712+$297
Lake Macquarie Council$1,763+$348
Newcastle Council$1,858+$443
Maitland Council$1,970+$555

Across NSW, the median average residential rate is $1,282. Port Stephens Council is 10% 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 Port Stephens Council suburb actually costs to run

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44 Port Stephens Council suburbs covered · free report, no spam.

Suburbs in the Port Stephens Council area

Prefer to browse? Port Stephens Council covers 44 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 Port Stephens Council for 2026-27?

The average residential rate for a home in the Port Stephens Council area is $1,415 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 Port Stephens Council rates compare to nearby councils?

Port Stephens Council's average residential rate of $1,415 is 10% above the NSW median of $1,282. Nearby, Newcastle Council charges $1,858 and Maitland Council charges $1,970.

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 Port Stephens 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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