Concessions & Remissions

Rate Concessions

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. If you have not received a concession on your rates notice or would like further information please contact the RevenueSA Call Centre on 1300 336 150 or visit their website by clicking here.

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, SA Water Corporation and its District Offices or the Department of Human Services. SA Water on behalf of the Department of Human Services administers this concession and further information can be obtained by telephoning SA Water. Contact SA Water by telephone on 1300 650 950.

Other Concessions
The Department of Family and Youth Services 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 Youth Services. All enquiries should be directed to Family and Youth Services on Freecall 1800 018 331.

Rebate of Rates

The Local Government Act requires Councils to rebate the rates payable on some land. Specific provisions are made pursuant to Section 161 and 166 for land used for health services, community services, religious purposes, public cemeteries, and educational institutions. This rebate is not applicable to rateable properties owned or managed by community groups holding a licence pursuant to the Liquor Licensing Act 1992.

Council also provides some rebates of rates to developers as incentives to encourage continuing building activity and land development in the City. These are in relation to developments in excess of $1,000,000 being eligible for concession up to 50% of the rate paid in the year following completion. Also subdivision development including strata and community title developments can be eligible for up to 50% rate rebate on unsold new allotments. Information in relation to these incentives can be obtained by contacting the Council Office.

Click here to download a copy of the Rate Rebate Application Form

Remission & Postponment of Rates

Section 182 of the Local Government Act permits the Council, on the application of a ratepayer, to partially or wholly remit rates or to postpone rates, on the basis of hardship. Where a ratepayer is suffering hardship in paying rates he/she is invited to contact the rates section on 8621 2316 to discuss the matter. Such enquiries are treated confidentially.

In assessing each application Council will give consideration to the following:
- previous documented Council decisions;
- the ratepayer's ability to pay;
- the financial circumstances of the applicant where extreme hardship can be demonstrated.