Rebates

Ratepayers who hold a State Seniors Card can apply to postpone payment of rates on their principal place of residence each year.

Seniors must pay $500 of their rates each year but can postpone payment of any amount levied above this.

Postponed rates remain as a charge on the land and are not required to be repaid until the property is sold or dispose of. Monthly interest charges apply to amounts postponed.

Am I eligible?

Applications are subject to our eligibility criteria, see the ‘explanatory notes’ section of the application form.

How do I apply?

To apply please print and complete all sections of the Postponement of Rates for Seniors application form. 

Postponement Seniors Application Form 2020-21(PDF, 139KB)

Contact the Rates Team on 08 8384 0666 to arrange a convenient time and place to discuss and lodge your application form.

As part of this process you are required to:

• provide a statement from your financial institution indicating the maximum credit limit secured by the mortgage, if there is currently a mortgage over the property registered prior to 25 January 2007,  and a current copy of the Certificate of Title
• if no mortgage, provided a current copy of the Certificate of Title.

Applications for Seniors Postponement must be lodged by 30 September in the relevant rating year.

What happens next?

You must make the required payment for all rate amounts due pending the outcome of your application. 

Once the application has been assessed, you will be advised of the outcome in writing.

We recognise that significant increases in property valuations have had an effect on the amount of rates paid by some residents.

We will automatically apply a 10% rate cap on residential properties where eligibility is readily identifiable.

Am I eligible?

A cap rebate applies to residential properties only. More information is available in our Rate Rebate Policy 2020-21(PDF, 221KB).

This cap rebate will only be granted if the increase in rates is not a result of:

• an increase in valuation recognising significant capital improvements on the property (regardless of when the development was undertaken);
• change in land use;
• or a change in ownership since 1 July 2016. 

How do I apply?

If the rebate is not applied automatically, you can lodge an application to have your eligibility assessed.

Applications and all additional information requested in the form must be submitted to us by 30 June of that financial year.

Rate Capping Application 2020-21(PDF, 108KB)  

What happens next?

You must make the required payment for all rate amounts due pending the outcome of your application. 

Once the application has been assessed, you will be advised of the outcome in writing.

Some people and/or organisations may be eligible for a council rebate.

This includes:

• community groups
• health organisations
• educational organisation

Council rebates are subject to legislation.

Am I eligible?

Our Rate Rebate Policy provides details of the mandatory and discretionary rebates available in section 5.2 and 5.3.

Rate Rebate Policy 2020-21(PDF, 221KB)

How do I apply? 

You can lodge an application to have your eligibility assessed.

Applications and all additional information requested in the form must be submitted to the us by 30 June of that financial year.

Rate Rebate Application 2020-21(PDF, 142KB)

What happens next?

You must make the required payment for all rate amounts due pending the outcome of your application. 

Once the application has been assessed, you will be advised of the outcome in writing.

The State Government no longer provide concessions through Councils.

State concessions are administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS) and are are now paid directly to eligible concession holders.

We do not approve or provide these concessions.

If you have recently become eligible for a concession or have an enquiry regarding a concession you will need to contact the Department of Human Services (DHS) hotline on 1800307 758 or visit www.sa.gov.au/concessions

The State Government concession for Community Wastewater Management Scheme (CWMS) is paid directly by the State Government to eligible customers.

If you have recently become eligible for your concession or you have an enquiry regarding a concession you will need to contact the Department of Human Services (DHS) hotline on 1800 307 758 or visit www.sa.gov.au/concessions