Local Government
6. Council Rates
Authors: Staff Legal Eagle
Firm / Chambers:
Last updated: 15 Aug 2015
- Property owners must pay rates to their local government body.
- The rates go towards services such as infrastructure and rubbish collection.
- Rates will vary depending on which region you live in.
- Generally they can be paid as an annual lump sum or in quarterly instalments.
- Eligible pensioners will usually receive a discount on rates paid. To apply for the pension discount you must hold either a Pensioner’s Concession Card or a Department of Veteran’s Affairs (DVA) Gold Card.
- Please note that a Health Care Card does not make you eligible for the discount.
- If you wish to apply for the concession you must fill out the ‘Application for Concession on Rates Form’ available at the Department of Human Services website for your state or territory.
- If your pension details have not changed you do not need to re-apply for the rates concession each year. Your concession will automatically continue.
- If you are a pensioner who lives alone and you pay the rates all on your own you are usually entitled to receive a further discount.
- If you are not a pensioner but you can show that paying the rates would cause financial hardship you may apply to have the rates waived or have their due date extended.
View more Information on Government