Compare suburbs Cost of living calculator About Suburbs Council rates Electricity calculator Blog
Home · Council rates · Shoalhaven Council
Rate notice · NSW · 2026-27

Shoalhaven Council rates 2026-27

$1,547 average residential rate,
OLG data uplifted by the IPART rate peg

The average residential rate in the Shoalhaven Council area for 2026-27 is $1,547 a year, based on 2024-25 OLG data uplifted to the 2026-27 rate peg. That's 21% above the NSW median of $1,282.

Council rates are usually the smallest of the main running costs. Across Shoalhaven Council suburbs, the average commute costs about $17,600 and insurance about $2,778 a year, with commute often 11 times the rates bill.
Calculate the full cost of living for your suburb in Shoalhaven Council

Where council rates sit in a typical Shoalhaven Council running cost

Council rates
$1,547
Water & sewerage
$1,300
Commute (driving)
$17,600
Insurance
$2,778

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

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

The 2026-27 average residential rate

This is an average across every residential property in the Shoalhaven Council area, not a fixed charge. Individual bills track land value, so a house on a larger or more valuable block pays more than $1,547 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 Shoalhaven Council compares to nearby councils

CouncilResidential ratevs Shoalhaven Council
Goulburn Mulwaree Council$1,433$-114
Shoalhaven Council (this council)$1,547n/a
Shellharbour Council$1,865+$318
Kiama Council$1,959+$412
Wingecarribee Council$2,140+$593

Across NSW, the median average residential rate is $1,282. Shoalhaven Council is 21% 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 Shoalhaven 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.

135 Shoalhaven Council suburbs covered · free report, no spam.

Suburbs in the Shoalhaven Council area

Prefer to browse? Shoalhaven Council covers 135 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 Shoalhaven Council for 2026-27?

The average residential rate for a home in the Shoalhaven Council area is $1,547 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 Shoalhaven Council rates compare to nearby councils?

Shoalhaven Council's average residential rate of $1,547 is 21% above the NSW median of $1,282. Nearby, Kiama Council charges $1,959 and Shellharbour Council charges $1,865.

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

Done, we'll be in touch when Shoalhaven Council's new rate lands.

One email a year, no spam. See our Privacy Policy.