For further information on the Rates changes and the ACT Budget 2016–17, visit act.gov.au/budget

CONCESSION RATE CHANGES

Changes to general rates concessions aim to make the scheme fairer, by reducing the gap between the ‘uncapped’ and ‘capped’ schemes over time.
From 1 July 2016 the ‘uncapped’ scheme will be frozen at 2015–16 levels where the value exceeds the rebate cap
of $700. This scheme applies to you if you were eligible for the rebate on 30 June 1997.
Households eligible for the uncapped General Rates Concession receive a 50 per cent rebate on their general rates, up to the value of the concession received in 2015–16.
Households at or below the rebate cap will continue to receive a 50 per cent rebate on their general rates up to a maximum of $700.
There is no change to the capped General Rates Concession. Households eligible for capped General Rates Concession receive a rebate of half of their General Rates up to the rebate cap of $700.

Buying a New Home Example
If you are already on the ‘uncapped’ scheme, and you receive a $1,200 concession in 2015–16, your concession is frozen at $1,200.
Should you then move to a new property with a
rates assessment of $2,000, then your new concession will be a maximum of
$1,000 (half of $2,000). Your maximum concession would remain at $1,200 if your
new property had a rates assessment of $2,400 or more.

The Fire and Emergency Services Levy rebate will remain unchanged at $98.
WHAT IF I MOVE?
If you belong to an ‘uncapped’ household and are moving,
your concession will remain the same or be 50 per cent of the general rates for the new property, depending on which is lower.