Online

Paying online is easy. We accept MasterCard or Visa payments through the City’s website. Have your rate notice handy, you will need to enter your assessment number when making your payment. Pay online now.

BPAY

Pay using BPAY by logging in to your online banking. You will need the BPAY reference number on your rate notice.

Direct debit

Set up payments to be deducted automatically with direct debit.

Australia Post

Payments can be made in person at any post office. You can pay by cash, cheque or EFTPOS from a savings or cheque account. Australia Post also accept payments online or over the phone on 13 18 16. Find your nearest post office. 

Phone

Call 1300 276 465 to make a payment over the phone via BPOINT.

In person

Visit us at the City of Vincent Administration Building to pay in person. See our opening hours and find us at: 

244 Vincent Street (corner of Loftus Street),
Leederville, Western Australia, 6007

Payment can be made using debit or credit cards (no American Express or Diners Club), money order or in cash.

Mail

To pay by post, detach the slip at the bottom of your rate notice and include it along with your cheque payable to:

City of Vincent, PO Box 82, Leederville WA 6902

Conditions

This option is not available if you pay late. The City has little discretion in this matter as it is controlled by state legislation. The City is prevented from allowing late instalment payments under Local Government Act Section 6.45 and Regulation 60 after the due date for the first instalment.

Ratepayers must pay any arrears and the full amount of the first instalment (exact amount) by the due date for instalment number 1 in one transaction.

The payment must be received by the City by close of business on that date. No responsibility can be taken for any delays encountered in the delivery of mail.

Conditions

Rates smoothing is only available by direct debit managed by the City from a cheque or savings account on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis.

Ratepayers must complete a Direct Debit Request and Service Agreement (DDRSA) form and returned to the City on the due date as stated on your notice.

Interest of 5.5% will be charged. Refer to your annual notice for the cost.

How to apply

To apply, complete online Direct Debit Request and Service Agreement (DDRSA) form or download the pdf ensuring all fields are completed and signed. Please carefully read the Terms and Conditions before signing the Agreement.

Instalments

Rates smoothing payments will be drawn on Fridays, in 40 weekly or 20 fortnightly or 10 monthly payments between 1 September 2023 and 31 May 2024.

About financial hardship

You will be considered to be in financial hardship if paying your rates and service charges will affect your ability to meet your basic living needs. That is, you have the intention, but not the capacity to pay.

Financial hardship may be caused by:

• The loss of your (or a family member’s) primary income
• Separation or divorce from your spouse
• Loss of a spouse or loved-one
• Domestic or family violence
• Physical or mental health problems
• A chronic medical condition
• Budget management difficulties arising from a low income
• Other unforeseen factors affecting your capacity to pay, such as a reduction in income or an increase in non-discretionary spending.

The following indicators are considered by the City of Vincent when determining whether a ratepayer is experiencing financial hardship:

• Recently unemployment or under-employed (ie having hours significantly reduced);
• Significant life events such as serious illness, a relationship breakdown, or death in the family;
• Unanticipated circumstances such as caring for and supporting extended family;
• Significantly lower income or loss of income;
• Total income after tax (take home pay) and other financial commitments;
• The total number of children or dependents involved;
• Eligibility for Government funded concessions;
• Advice has been received from an independent financial counsellor;
• Domestic or family violence.

Although the above list displays indicators of possible hardship, each situation is treated with sensitivity and understanding according to the individual circumstance.

Ratepayers are to provide all relevant information and documentation that can assist the City to assess the hardship relief request.

Payment plans

The City will do the following to assist with financial hardship:

1. Submit a Financial Hardship Assistance request. We will provide you with a payment plan that suits you. This may include an extension of time to pay by up to 6 months from due date of annual notice. There are no fees or charges applied to a payment plan.
2. Six month review. If you need a new or revised payment plan, or a further 6 months to pay we will work with you to customise a plan that suits you.
3. Further assistance. If you are still struggling to meet the requirements of your payment plan at 6 months, you may need further assistance. The City will assess if you are entitled to assistance through the City of Vincent's Financial Hardship Fund. We will also assist you to connect with financial support services provided by Federal and State Government agencies.

If we determine you are in financial hardship we will offer you more time to pay your account or have you enter into a payment plan. A payment plan is an agreement between you and the City, where we agree to receive a certain amount of money in regular instalments over an agreed time frame. 

We will involve you and your financial counsellor (if applicable) in setting up a payment plan. 

We will work with you to create a payment plan based on how much you can afford to pay and determine a realistic amount based on your individual circumstances.  

Some ratepayers may require payment plans on an annual basis.

The payment plan will:

• Have an agreed end date;
• Involve regular weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments;
• Require full payment of the current and existing amounts owing; and
• Be made by a direct debit payment from your bank account.

More time to pay

If your circumstances change and you expect this to impact your ability to meet the terms of your agreement, we ask you to contact the City immediately.

The City may review and revise your payment plan if necessary. If our review indicates you are unable to meet your obligations under the plan it will be revised.

If you do not adhere to the terms of the arrangement, reasonable efforts will be made to contact you before we take further action.

A payment plan may not be offered if you have previously had two payment plans cancelled because of non-payment.

If the City determines that you are in financial hardship, your payment plan will include the following concessions:

• The payment plan will not attract penalty interest or additional charges; and
• Debt recovery will cease while the payment plan is in place.

Debt recovery

We will suspend our debt recovery processes:

• While we are assessing if you are experiencing financial hardship or payment difficulties;
• If you are complying with the payment plan agreed with the City.

If you are unable to make payments in accordance with the agreed payment plan, it is important that you contact us to renegotiate the plan.

If you have failed to make the agreed payments on at least two occasions, we will make reasonable attempts to contact you and discuss your payment situation, before commencing debt recovery.

If you are contacted about your outstanding rates or service charges, we will advise you of the Recovery of Debt and Service Charge Policy and the process for making a Financial Hardship Application.

The City reserves the right to commence debt recovery, including registering a charge on your property for any outstanding arrears balance, if you do not meet your payment obligations.

Further financial assistance

Some ratepayers may be experiencing a degree of financial crisis that requires financial support beyond the scope of these guidelines.

The City will assist you to connect with financial support services provided by Federal and State Government agencies. 

We encourage you to seek the advice of an independent financial counsellor who can assist you to create a financial plan to suit your circumstances. Financial counsellors provide free, confidential and independent information to help you take control of your financial situation. You can find a financial counsellor by visiting www.financialcounsellor.org or emailing admin@fcawa.org.

If you are unable to visit a face-to-face financial counsellor in person, you can call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.

The City also has a relationship with local charitable organisations who can provide you with immediate financial assistance.