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31.3 km from Hamilton CBD
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True annual cost of living in Penshurst, VIC 3289

Living in a house in Penshurst costs about $11,345 a year: council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance combined. Penshurst sits 31.3 kilometres from Hamilton CBD. Unit costs come in at $11,315, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,500 owners corporation levy. The commute is costed by car to Hamilton, at $6,661 a year, because no daily public transport commute is assumed here.

Last updated November 2026 · Southern Grampians Shire Council rates 2026-27, ATO 91c/km, AER electricity benchmarks

3 key insights

Costs 13% more to run than the Southern Grampians Shire Council average, cheaper than only 28% of suburbs in the region.
The commute is the biggest expense at $6,661, roughly 59% of the annual total.
The nearest state school scores 5.4/10 (ACARA ICSEA), around average for Victoria.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →
House annual cost
$11,345
Driving · per year
$945/month
About $218 a week to run a house here, including estimates
Lower cost
Unit annual cost
$11,315
Incl. owners corporation
$943/month
About $218 a week to run a unit here, including estimates
House vs unit difference
−$30
Unit is cheaper per year

Annual cost breakdown

Council rates
Official, 2026-27 Southern Grampians rates
$1,334
Water & sewerage
Official, 2026-27 Wannon Water
$1,500
Driving commute
Modelled, 2026-27 ATO 91c/km · 31.3km from Hamilton CBD · 192 days
$6,661
Home insurance
Estimated flood Low · fire Medium
$1,850
Total annual running cost
$11,345
($945/month, $218/week)

Excludes electricity, estimated separately below. Also excludes the state Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy on your rates notice: $139 a year plus 17.3 cents per $1,000 of your home's capital improved value (2026-27).

↑ 13% above Southern Grampians Shire Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●○○○ 4.3/10 Poor
Cheaper to run than 28% of Southern Grampians Shire Council suburbs. Score blends running cost (50%), schools (20%) and flood & fire risk (30%).

Estimated electricity cost

typical 2-person household
House
$2,077/yr
5,574 kWh
Unit
$1,684/yr
4,181 kWh
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for Penshurst's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for its electricity network. Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.

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Frequently asked questions about Penshurst

Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Penshurst to Hamilton CBD?

Public transport options are limited in Penshurst; driving is the practical commute at $6,661 per year.

What are the council rates in Penshurst?

Penshurst falls under Southern Grampians Shire Council. The average residential rate for 2026-27 is $1,334 per year, from the council's budget: residential rate revenue divided by the number of residential assessments, plus the council's municipal charge where it sets one. Victorian councils rate on capital improved value, so individual properties pay more or less than the average. The figure excludes waste charges and the state Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy.

What does it cost to run a unit in Penshurst?

Running a unit in Penshurst costs approximately $11,315 per year by car or $11,315 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,334, water and sewerage $1,500, estimated owners corporation levy of $1,500, and contents insurance of $320. Owners corporation fees vary significantly between buildings. Always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.

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Data sources: Council rates: Southern Grampians rates (2026-27 budget). Water: Wannon Water 2026-27. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2026–27 (91c/km). Insurance: estimated from ACCC 2026 premium rates for the area's cyclone risk on a standard $600,000 home, adjusted for flood and fire, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA ICSEA 2025. Risk: Flood: Victorian planning scheme flood overlays (FO, LSIO, SBO). Fire: Bushfire Management Overlay and Bushfire Prone Area. Data last verified November 2026.
Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.