Rates rebates, concessions and EXEMPTIONS
Find out if you are eligible to apply for a rebate, deferment or exemption on your Council rates, what help is available and how to apply.
What help is available
Eligible pensioners and seniors may be able to receive help with paying their Council rates and Emergency Services Levy in one of two ways.
Rates rebate
A rates rebate reduces the amount you need to pay on your Council rates and Emergency Services Levy for the current financial year.
Rates deferment
A rates deferment allows eligible ratepayers to delay paying their Council rates and Emergency Services Levy.
Instead of paying each year, the unpaid amount is recorded as a debt against the property and does not accrue interest. This amount is usually paid when the property is sold, ownership changes, or the ratepayer no longer lives at the property.
Who can apply
Your eligibility for a rates rebate or deferment depends on the type of concession card or cards you hold.
To be eligible, you must:
- Hold an eligible pensioner or seniors concession card
- Be the owner or co-owner of the property, or have a right to reside under the terms of a probated will, as of 1 July
- Live at the property as your ordinary place of residence
Important things to know
The following information is important to understand before applying for either a rates rebate or a rates deferment.
- You can only claim a rebate or deferment on one property per rating year
- If rates are deferred, rebate will be removed and the full amount of the rates and emergency services levy will be added
- The property must be owned and occupied by you as at 1 July
- If you are eligible for both options, you can choose either a rebate or a deferment for that financial year
- To receive a rebate, you must pay the remaining balance shown on your rates notice by 30 June of the financial year
- If you have outstanding rates or Emergency Services Levy charges, a rebate may still be available if you enter into, and meet, a payment arrangement to clear the arrears
- Where a property is jointly owned, a partial rebate may apply. Pensioners receiving a partial rebate are not eligible to defer their rates
- If you are claiming eligibility based on a right to reside under a probated will, you must provide a copy of the relevant documentation
- A rates deferment is not available if:
- You are eligible for a Seniors Card only
- You are receiving a partial rebate rather than the full 50% rebate
- The property is co-owned with someone other than a spouse or de facto partner
- The property is occupied under a life tenancy or right of residency under a probated will
Rebates and deferments by concession card type
Seniors Card only
If you hold a Seniors Card only:
- You may receive up to a 25% rebate on your Annual Rates and Emergency Services Levy
- The rebate is capped at a maximum of $100
- A rates deferment is not available
Seniors Card and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
If you hold both a Seniors Card and a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card:
- You may receive up to a 50% rebate on your Annual Rates and Emergency Services Levy
- The rebate is capped at a maximum of $750
- You may be eligible to defer your Annual Rates, Water Service Charges and Fire and Emergency Services Levy.
Pensioner Concession Card or State Concession Card
If you hold a Pensioner Concession Card or State Concession Card:
- You may receive up to a 50% rebate on your Rates and Emergency Services Levy
- The rebate is capped at a maximum of $750
- You may be eligible to defer your Annual Rates and Fire and Emergency Services Levy.
How to apply for a rates rebate
You must register for a concession to receive a rates rebate.
You can apply in one of the following ways:
- Option 1: Apply for a Concession online through the Water Corporation website
- Option 2: Phone the Water Corporation Rebate Application Line on 1300 659 951
You only need to apply once. Your registration will apply to both the City of Vincent and the Water Corporation.
Your rebate will take effect from the date a completed application is first received by either the Water Corporation or the City.
How to apply for a rates deferment
You do not need to submit a separate deferment application. If you are eligible and do not pay the amount required to receive a rates rebate by 30 June, your rates will automatically be deferred.
Deferment applies only to Annual Rates and the Emergency Services Levy. All other charges must be paid in full.
If your circumstances change
You must notify both the City and Water Corporation if your circumstances change, including if:
- Your concession card is cancelled, expires, or you receive a new card
- Your application details change
- You sell or transfer part or all of your property or move to another address
- As a senior, you become an eligible pensioner or holder of a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
- You or your spouse stop living at the property
Useful resources
If you need to apply for or replace a concession card, you can find more information at the following websites:
Rates exemption
As per section 6.26 of the Local Government Act 1995, eligible organisations can apply for a rates exemption on their Council rates.
Organisations that may be eligible to apply for a non-rateable status include:
- Charitable organisations
- Religious bodies
- Religious schools
- Government agencies
- Crown land
- Other written law
- Local Government Minister approval
The Rates Exemption Form (see below) should be completed by organisations that are seeking for a rates exemption and sent to the following:
Email: [email protected]
Post: City of Vincent PO Box 82 Leederville WA 6902
For a quick turnaround of your application, we urge that the form be completed correctly and you provide all the required supporting documentation. For more information, please contact the Rates team on 08 9273 6000.
Rates Exemption Form
Statutory Declaration Form
Rates Exemption Appendix A