Who pays Local Government Rates? How are Rates calculated? Minimum Rates Payment Options Early Payment Incentive Scheme Instalment Payments Rate Concessions & Deferrals Interim Rates Penalty Interest on Overdue Amounts How do I advise Council of my Change of Address?
How do I appeal against the GRV of my Property? The Town of Vincent levies rates each year to fund Council services such as maintenance of parks, library services, roads, health, sanitation, building control and operation of recreational facilities.
Annual Rates Notices are issued by the Town of Vincent early in the financial year and are due 35 days from the date of issue.
Anyone owning residential or commercial property in Town of Vincent is a ratepayer of the Town and is required to pay rates. Some government bodies, educational and registered charitable organisations are exempt from paying Council rates.
Local Government Authorities in Western Australia levy rates against each property by determining a 'rate in the dollar' which is then multiplied by the Gross Rental Value (GRV) of the property as determined by the Valuer General's Office.
For example:
In the 2009/2010 financial year, Council has determined that the rate in the dollar to be applied for rates is 0.070962. This means that 7.0962 cents will be levied as rates for every dollar of GRV assigned to a property.
The Valuer General may determine that a brick and tiled house in Mt Hawthorn which contains 4 bedrooms, kitchen, 2 bathroom, laundry, and double carport could attract a rent after basic expenses of $220 per week. Rent of $220 per week multiplied by 52 weeks per year gives a Gross Rental Value of $11,440.
GRV = $220 x 52 = $11,440
The rates to be levied against that particular property would be
Rates = $11,440 x 0.070962 = $811.81
Gross Rental Value of $11,440 multiplied by the rate in the dollar of 0.070962 gives the value of rates for the property of $811.81.
A minimum rate is imposed when the amount calculated by the above formula is less than the amount determined to be the equitable minimum cost of servicing lots in the Town of Vincent.
In 2009/2010 a minimum rate of $572.00 was imposed on all properties with a GRV less than or equal to $8060.
In accordance with the requirements of the
Local Government Act (1995) and the
Local Government Financial Management Regulations (1996), Council offers ratepayers a choice of payment of rates by either one or four instalments. To offset the cost of offering the instalment payment option, the Local Government Act allows Council to charge a $5.00 Administration Fee on the second, third and fourth instalment plus interest at the prescribed rate on all instalment payments.
Council has endeavoured to provide a wide variety of convenient payment methods for its ratepayers.
Payment methods available for payment of rates include:
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Pay your rates online (credit cards) |
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Payment via BPay using your savings, cheque or credit account |
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Pay over the phone 1300 275 468 |
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In person at Australia Post
Online at www.postbillpay.com.au
Pay over the phone 13 18 16 |
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In person at Commonwealth Bank tellers |
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Mail to: Town of Vincent Locked Bag 5005, City Delivery Centre, GPO Perth WA 6001 |
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In person at the Administration & Civic Centre (office hours only)
Payment by Cash, Cheque, Money Order, EFTPOS (No Cash Out), MasterCard, Visa Card & Bankcard (no American Express or Diners Club).
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Please DO NOT send cash payments through the mail.
The Town of Vincent encourages its ratepayers to pay their Annual Rates charges in a single payment wherever possible. The advantage to the Vincent community of this prompt payment is that this early inflow of cash enables the Town to commence delivery of the major capital projects early in the year without the need to borrow funds for this purpose.
As an incentive for taking this prompt payment option, participating ratepayers have the opportunity to win one of a number of exciting prizes offered each year. To be eligible to participate, a ratepayer must pay their current year's rates (plus any outstanding arrears) in full by the due date for the first instalment. Registered pensioners are eligible to enter upon payment of their rates less the amount of the Pensioner Rebate.
Providing that requirements for eligibility for the Rates Instalment Payment Option have been met, a ratepayer may pay their rates off in conveniently sized instalment amounts.
To qualify for the instalment option, ratepayers must pay any arrears and the full amount of the first instalment by the due date for instalment number 1.
The payment must be received by the Town by close of business on that date. No responsibility can be taken for any delays encountered in the delivery of the mail.
The due dates for payment of rates by instalments for the 2009/2010 rating year are:
Instalment Number |
Due Date |
| 1st Instalment |
18 August 2009 |
| 2nd Instalment |
20 October 2009 |
| 3rd Instalment |
5 January 2010 |
| 4th Instalment |
9 March 2010 |
What types of concessions are available?
Deferment of Rates
Am I eligible for a concession?
Seniors Card (SC) Only
Seniors Card (SC) and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC)
Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) or State Concession Card (SCC)
Pro-Rata Provisions
What do I do if my circumstances change?
How do apply for a concession?
Where can I get more information on applications?
Where can I get more information about the cards?
You have the choice of either a REBATE on, or the DEFERMENT of, your Annual Water Service Charges, Local Government Rates and Fire and Emergency Services Levy.
To obtain a Rebate on your Rates, Water Service Charges and Emergency Services Levy you will need to pay the amount indicated on your notice by 30 June of the current financial year. (Refer to section 'How do I apply for a concession')
Your Rates, Water Service Charges and Emergency Service s Levy will automatically be deferred, where you are eligible, if the amount required to be paid to receive a rebate is not paid by 30 June of the current financial year.
The deferment option is not available where the property:
• is occupied under a life tenancy or right of residency under the terms of a Will of a deceased estate; or
• Subject to co-ownership other than with a spouse/de facto partner).
• You have eligibility for a Senior Concession only.
Please note, if the deferment option is not available, you must pay the amount indicated on your Rates or Water Service Charges notice before 30 June of the current financial year to receive the rebate.
The outstanding rates balance
• remains as a debt on the property until paid;
• may be paid at any time, BUT you do not receive any concession when they are paid (that is , you forfeit any concession you may have been entitled to);
• does not incur penalty interest charges.
To receive a concession you must:
• hold one or more of the appropriate Pensioner or Seniors Cards as detailed below,
• be the owner or co-owner of the property or have a right to reside at the property under the terms of a Will as at 1 July; and
• occupy the property as your 'ordinary place of residence'.
Where the property is subject to co-ownership, a partial concession may apply.
Where a 'right to reside' at the property under the terms of a Will exists, you will need to provide a copy of the appropriate documents when registering.
The concessions applying to each type of eligible card are detailed below:
Seniors Card (SC) ONLY
• You are entitled to receive up to a 25% rebate on your Annual Rates, Water Service Charges and Emergency Services Levy
• the rebate will be limited to a maximum amount; and
• the deferment option will not be available.
Seniors Card (SC) AND a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC)
• You are entitled to receive up to a 50% rebate on your Annual Rates, Water Service Charges and Emergency Services Levy.
• you may be entitled to defer your Annual Rates, Water Service Charges and Fire and Emergency Services Levy.
Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) OR State Concession Card (SCC)
• You are entitled to receive up to a 50% rebate on your Rates, Annual Water Service Charges and Emergency Services Levy
• you may be entitled to defer your Annual Rates, Water Service Charges and Fire and Emergency Services Levy.
• you are also entitled to receive a rebate on your Water Usage Charges (a capped maximum amount applies each year).
If you become eligible to hold either a SC, PCC, SCC or a SC together with a CSHC during the year, you can still obtain a pro-rata rates or water service charges rebate for the current financial year from the date you register with the Water Corporation or your Local Government.
You must immediately advise both the Water Corporation and your Local Government, if your circumstances change at any time. For example, notification is required if:
• you are issued with a new card or your card is cancelled or expires;
• your original application details will or have changed;
• you sell or transfer an interest in all, or part, of your property or move to another address;
• as a senior (card issued by Office of Seniors Interests) become an eligible pensioner or the holder of a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card; or
• you or your spouse ceases occupation of the property.
To apply for a concession, submit a completed application form, together with a photocopy of both sides of your card (s) to either:
• Water Corporation;
• Town of Vincent
To receive a Rates, Water Service Charges and Fire and Emergency Services Levy concession, you must register with either the Water Corporation or your Local Government. Your one application will be registered at both organisations.
Your applications for registration will be effective from the day that either the Water Corporation or your Local Government first receives a completed registration form.
IMPORTANT |
You can only claim a concession or deferment (where eligible) on one (1) property in any one rating year. This applies to the property owned and occupied as at 1 July.
Where arrears of your Annual Rates, Water Service Charges or Fire and Emergency Services Levy exist, a concession may be available where you enter into, and satisfy, a payment arrangement to clear the arrears.
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If you would like more information on the Pensioners and Seniors Concessions, or an application for registration, please contact:
| Water Corporation |
13 13 85 |
| Town of Vincent - Customer Services |
9273 6000 |
Ratepayers of other localities should refer to the White Pages Directory for a telephone number for their local government.
WA Seniors CardOffice of Seniors Interests (WA Government)
Phone: 62178855
9am to 3pm weekdays (except public holidays)
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card or Pensioners Concession CardCentrelink (Commonwealth Government)
Phone: 13 23 00
Commonwealth Department of Veteran Affairs
Phone: 9366 8222 or
Country 1800 113 304
State Concession CardFamily and Children's Services (WA Government)
Phone: 9222 2555 or
Country 1800 622 258
Some ratepayers may receive amended rate notices during the year called Interim Rates Notices. These notices are required to be issued if the Valuer General's Office considers that the Gross Rental Value (GRV) of a ratepayers' property has changed.
Any alteration to the property could cause the GRV of your property to be re-assessed by the Valuer General's Office. Typical events which could trigger a revaluation and the need to issue an Interim Rates Notice include:
- Creation of a new property
(If a lot is created from a subdivision, amalgamation or strata title)
- Improvements or additions to the property
(Installation of a swimming pool, construction of a garage or carport or the addition of a bedroom)
- Demolition of a property
(This is usually the first step in the redevelopment of a site and only the first in a series of interim rate adjustments)
- Removal of a swimming pool
When a new or amended valuation is supplied by the Valuer General's Office, a reason for the amendment and effective date of the valuation is also provided. This information will be shown on your Interim Rates Notice.
To ensure that the many ratepayers who pay their rates accounts to the Town by the due dates are not disadvantaged, the Town Of Vincent has resolved that it will charge interest on rates balances which remain unpaid after the due date.
Section 6.51 of the Local Government Act and the Local Government Financial Management Regulations provide for interest to be charged on 'Overdue Amounts' which are defined as rates which remain outstanding beyond the due date specified on the Annual Rates Notice.
The maximum interest rate which can be charged on outstanding rates amounts is determined by the Local Government Financial Management Regulations. Currently, this amount is set at 11% per annum or 0.0301% per day and is calculated daily on amounts that are not paid within 35 days of the issue date of the notice.
It is essential that the Town has the correct postal address recorded for each of its ratepayers. This is needed not only to ensure that Rate Notices are promptly received but also to ensure that when the Town undertakes community consultation that all affected ratepayers are notified.
To protect ratepayers against unauthorised changes of address in the Town’s records, we require all Changes of Address to be completed in writing.
Determinations of Gross Rental Values (GRV) used in calculating rates are supplied to local governments by the Valuer General's Office. Any objection against the valuation must be made in writing within 60 days of issue to:
Valuer General's Office
18 Mount Street
Perth WA 6000
Where an objection to the Valuer General has been made, the full amount of rates is still due and payable 35 days from date of issue of the rate notice. Any decision resulting from the objection or subsequent Land Tribunal hearing will be retrospectively adjusted.
For further information please contact Rates on 9273 6000, TTY 9273 6078 or rates.enquiry@vincent.wa.gov.au.