General News
13 October, 2026
IPART sets NSW council rate pegs for 2027-28
The NSW pricing regulator has set the 2027-28 rate peg for each of the 128 NSW councils, with core rate pegs ranging from 3.7 to 5.4 per cent.
Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) Chair Anthony Wing said the rate peg allows councils to manage changes in service delivery costs, while limiting how much they can increase their total income from rates.
“The rate peg is the maximum percentage by which a council can increase its general income, which is the money each council raises from rates,” Mr Wing said.
“The rate peg reflects changes in council operating costs, so that councils can maintain services for their communities. Some councils also receive a population growth factor in addition to the core rate peg, so the total rates income keeps pace with population growth.”
Mr Wing said general income makes up about one-third of the income NSW councils receive, on average, with the rest coming from grants, fees, developer contributions and other charges.
“The rate peg doesn’t determine how much rates for an individual household or business will increase,” he said.
“It is now up to each council to decide whether to increase rates, which categories of rates will rise, and what support to provide to people in need of financial assistance.”
Mr Wing said the 2027-28 rate pegs also recognise the ongoing cost of strengthening councils’ cybersecurity capability, while balancing the impact on ratepayers.
The cybersecurity adjustment ranges from 0.4 to 1.2 per cent, representing an indicative increase for an average residential ratepayer in 2027-28 of around $6 to $8 per year.
“Councils are accountable for how they use rates income to strengthen their cybersecurity capability,” Mr Wing said.
“The Tribunal recognises the cost-of-living pressures facing the community. We encourage any ratepayers facing difficulty paying their rates bill to get in touch with their council for information on concessions and other assistance options.”
