Learn about the process for setting fees and charges, types of pricing and how our pricing policy applies.
User fees, charges and fines relate to the recovery of costs to deliver services. The City recovers costs through the charging of fees to users for services. These services include:
- Use of leisure, entertainment and other community facilities
- Provision of human services such as childcare
- Separate rating schemes
Setting fees and charges
When setting fees and charges for services, Council considers:
- Legislative requirements
- National competition policy / competitive neutrality
- If the service contributes to social policy objectives
- If controlled pricing is required to comply with policy objectives
- The level of benefit to the community
When setting and reviewing user fees and charges Council seeks to ensure that the following key objectives are met:
- Efficiency - the fees are simple to understand and administer
- Equity - the fees are fairly applied across a range of users and consider users’ capability to pay
- Effectiveness - the fees provide appropriate signals to users, value for money and ensure that everyone contributes appropriately to the delivery of services
- Transparency - the method of determining pricing is consistent
Pricing types
There are five pricing types for the City’s user fees and charges:
Accessible pricing is where there is a discount on the full cost of providing the service. Council determines the discounted rate based on the community benefit or social good. The discounted rate can be set between 100 per cent discount up to full cost recovery.
Full cost pricing applies where the goal is to achieve a financial return for the City.
Incentive pricing is to encourage certain behaviours by pricing above full cost recovery.
Market pricing applies to services considered discretionary. Generally, these services do not have strong social benefit. Or they are ancillary to the social benefit of the service.
Statutory pricing is pricing which is set by legislation. Council is not able to apply any discretion on the amount charged. This includes fees subject to a signed funding agreement.
Pricing Policy flowchart for fee types
This flowchart shows the process used for determining the appropriate fee type.
Contact
We welcome feedback on our process for setting and reviewing user fees and charges.
Feedback can be sent by email to [email protected] or by contacting us on 1300 002 642