Find out how to reduce your rates if you are a pensioner/senior or if there are any other concessions available for your property.
Pensioner and Seniors State Government rebates
State Government rebates are processed through the Water Corporation and in order to be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:
You must be an owner and occupier of a rateable property at 1 July or earlier, and:
If you’re a pensioner, either: hold a current Pensioner Concession Card or State Concession Card, or
Hold both a WA Senior’s Card (issued by the Department of Communities’ WA Senior’s Card Centre) and a Commonwealth Senior’s Health Card. You are entitled to claim a rebate of up to 50 per cent of your Rates and Emergency Service Levy (subject to a maximum amount)
If you only hold a WA Senior’s Card (issued by the Department of Communities’ WA Senior’s Card Centre), you are entitled to claim a rebate of up to 25 per cent (subject to a maximum amount)
Pensioner concessions apply to current rates and Emergency Services Levy only, and not to waste collection and other charges, which must be paid in full by the due date shown on the front of the notice. Accounts which remain overdue after 30 June will lose the eligibility to claim the annual State Government Rebate or may be at risk of losing the eligibility to defer rates and Emergency Service Levy.
Please note, unemployment benefits and health care cards do not qualify for a concession.
Rates deferment
Deferment only applies to rates and Emergency Service Levy (ESL). All other charges must be paid in full. When the balance payable as shown on the front of the notice is not paid by 30 June, the pensioner rebate will be reversed, and the full amount of the rates and ESL will be deferred. This is only applicable to pensioners receiving a full rebate, the option of deferment is not available to WA Seniors Card holders.
For more information, please contact the City’s Rates Team on (08) 9205 8555.
Heritage rates concession
Owners of rateable residential and commercial properties included on the City’s heritage list can apply for a discount on their general rates charge, to assist with the care and maintenance of their property.
Residential properties are eligible for a 50% concession on their general rates charge while commercial properties are eligible for a $2,000 capped concession per property. The concession will need to be applied for on an annual basis.
Apply for a heritage rates concession
View the conditions of concession for heritage-listed properties
Rates exemption
An organisation can apply for an exemption of rates pursuant to Section 6.26(2)(g) of the Local Government Act 1995 (LGA), where it is claimed the land is used exclusively for charitable purposes.
An application must be from the owner of the property or a tenant liable for the payment of rates under a lease agreement.
An application will be required to be lodged every year (leased properties) or every three years (owned properties) and will be assessed by the City.
FAQs
You may be eligible if you own and live in the property as your main residence, hold an approved concession card and have registered your entitlement.
Accepted cards include:
- Pensioner Concession Card
- State Concession Card
- WA Seniors Card
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (with a WA Seniors Card).
You need to register your entitlement with the Water Corporation. All applications for rebates and deferments must go through the Water Corporation, even if you are not a Water Corporation customer.
Apply for a concession online through the Water Corporation’s website or call 1300 659 951 for assistance. They will notify the City once your application is processed.
No. You only need to reapply if your circumstances or eligibility change.
No. Rebates and rate deferments can only be applied to your principal place of residence.
You may still qualify in some circumstances (for example, due to illness), provided the property was your main home and is not being used to generate income.
A rate deferment may be suitable for full pensioners on a low or fixed income who are unable to manage annual rates payments. A deferment allows rates to be postponed while you continue to live in your home.
If a deferment is chosen, State Government rebates are forfeited and the deferred amounts become due and payable when you no longer reside at the property.
Late payment may result in the rebate not being applied for that financial year. Seniors and part pensioners with overdue balances may also lose their concession status until outstanding amounts are paid.
Yes. You may receive a partial (pro-rata) concession depending on when you register and your circumstances.
