Hobart homeowners are bearing the brunt of council rate hikes, with charges soaring 46% over the past decade – the second-highest rise among Australian capital cities.
The sharp increase means a property owner who paid $1,000 in rates ten years ago now faces an annual bill of $1,460, analysis from Money suggests.
Only Canberra residents have experienced higher increases, with rates jumping 83% over the same period, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data.
In 2024 Hobart recorded a 6.5% spike in council rates, the steepest rise of any capital city and well above the national average of 4.9%.
Money.com.au Property Expert Mansour Soltani describes council rates as a “silent mortgage” that homeowners can’t escape.
“Rising house prices in Hobart, along with inflation and ongoing council rate hikes, have pushed property rates to record highs, putting further financial strain on homeowners,” he said.
“It’s also a nationwide concern, with our recent survey revealing that 18% of Australians ranked council rates as their most dreaded bill, placing them ahead of insurance premiums and childcare costs.”
Property rates and charges now lead all housing-related expenses in price growth, outpacing maintenance, repairs, utilities and other costs.
Only rental prices are climbing faster, with a 6.4% national increase recorded in 2024, according to ABS data.
