Concessions & Remissions
The State Government, in providing equity across SA in this area, funds a range of concessions on Council rates. The concessions are administered by various State Agencies who determine eligibility and pay the concession directly to Council on behalf of the ratepayer. Concessions are available only on the principal place of residence.
Ratepayers who believe they are entitled to a concession should not withhold payment of rates pending assessment of an application by the State Government as penalties apply to overdue rates. A refund will be paid to an eligible person if council is advised that a concession applies and the rates have already been paid.
State Seniors Card Ratepayer (Self Funded Retiree)
RevenueSA administers this concession. If you are a self-funded retiree and currently hold a State Seniors Card you may be eligible for a concession towards Council Rates. In the case of couples, both must qualify, or if only one holds a State Seniors Card, the other must not be in paid employment for more than 20 hours per week.
Contact the RevenueSA Call Centre on 1300 336 150 or visit their website at www.revenuesa.sa.gov.au.
Pensioner Concession
An eligible pensioner must hold a Pension Card, State Concession Card or Repatriation Health Card marked TPI Gold, EDA Gold or War Widow and may be entitled to a concession on Council rates (and water and effluent charges where applicable). Application forms, which include information on the concessions, are available from the Council, Department for Families and Communities or online at www.sa.gov.au/concessions.
All enquiries should be directed to the Concessions Hotline on 1800 307 758 or www.sa.gov.au/concessions.
Other Concessions
The Department for Family and Communities administer Council rate concessions available to a range of eligible persons receiving State and Commonwealth allowances. This includes, but is not limited to, ratepayers who are in receipt of Austudy, Newstart, Parenting Payment, Partner Allowance, Sickness Allowance, Special Benefit, Widow Allowance, Youth Allowance, Abstudy, CDEP or a New Enterprise Initiative Scheme. It may also apply to ratepayers in receipt of a pension as a war widow under legislation of the United Kingdom or New Zealand and the holders of a State Concession Card issued by Family and Community Services.
All enquiries should be directed to the Concessions Hotline on 1800 307 758 or www.sa.gov.au/concessions.
Postponement of Rates for Seniors
Ratepayers who have a State Seniors Card may apply to postpone payment of rates on their principal place of residence. Seniors must pay the first $500 rates charge each year but can postpone payment of any amount above this. Pensioner or Self Funded Retiree concessions can further reduce the amount required to be paid each year.
Postponed rates remain as a charge on the land and must be paid when the property is sold or disposed of. Monthly interest charges apply to amounts postponed. Please contact Council for further information.
Postponement of Rates for Primary Production Land
This postponement applies to principal ratepayers of primary production assessments. Council has granted a postponement of payment of the 1st instalment of 2009/10 Council rates until the due date of the 2nd instalment. No interest or fines will be charged during the postponement period. The postponement will cease to operate if the ratepayer ceases to own or occupy the land to which the postponement applies.
This postponement will be automatically applied to all relevant ratepayers who meet the criteria. Any extension of this postponement will only be considered upon receipt of a formal application by a ratepayer received prior to the due date of the 2nd instalment. Please contact Council for further information.