Rates assistance

Pensioner assistance

The following forms of assistance are available to eligible pensioners.  Full details of the schemes can be obtained from the ACT Revenue Office.

Rebate

Property owners who receive a Centrelink or Department of Veterans' Affairs pension with entitlement to a Pensioner Concession Card, or a War Veteran's pension, may be eligible for a rebate of up to 50% of their rates. 

Rebate assistance is limited to a pensioner's principal place of residence and to a maximum concession of $565 per property for all new pensioners in 2012-13.  Pensioners in receipt of a rates rebate prior to 1 July 1997 are not affected by the $565 cap and maintain their level of concession until they cease to be an eligible pensioner.

All eligible owners will receive a 50% rebate ($52.40 per property) on their portion of the 2012-13 Fire and Emergency Services Levy.

If you become a pensioner during the year you should contact us as soon as possible to determine your eligibility for a rebate.  To apply for a rebate please use the Pensioner Rates Rebate Application Form (external site).  Applications for a rebate of 2012-13 rates must be received by 30 June 2013.

If you are currently receiving a pensioner rebate of rates for a particular property and you cease to be an eligible pensioner, or you no longer reside in that property, then you must advise of the changed circumstances so that your rebate can be adjusted accordingly.

Deferment

In addition to obtaining a rebate, eligible pensioners may defer all or part of the balance of their total rates charges after the rebate has been deducted.  A relatively low rate of simple interest is charged on deferred amounts.  To apply for a deferral of charges please use the Rates Deferral (Pensioner) Application Form (external site).

Special Disability Trust assistance

The following forms of assistance are available to eligible Special Disability Trusts.  Full details of the schemes can be obtained from the ACT Revenue Office.

Rebate

A Special Disability Trust that owns a property in trust for a beneficiary may be eligible for a rebate of up to 50% of their rates. 

Rebate assistance is limited to the beneficiary's principal place of residence and to a maximum concession of $565 per property for all new applicants in 2012-13.  Special Disability Trusts established prior to 1 July 1997 are not affected by the $565 cap.

If a Special Disability Trust becomes eligible during the year, the Trustee should contact us as soon as possible to obtain an application form.  Applications for a rebate of 2012-13 rates must be received by 30 June 2013.

Deferment

In addition to obtaining a rebate, eligible Special Disability Trusts may defer all or part of the balance of their total rates charges after the rebate has been deducted.  A relatively low rate of simple interest is charged on deferred amounts.  To apply for a deferral of charges please use the Rates Deferral (Pensioner) Application Form (external site).

Hardship assistance

Deferment

Property owners receiving unemployment or other benefits, or suffering substantial financial hardship, can apply to defer payment of the rates charges for their home.  A relatively low rate of simple interest is charged on deferred amounts.  To apply for a deferral of charges please use the Rates Deferral (Hardship) Application Form (external site).

Aged assistance

Deferment

Property owners that meet the following criteria may defer indefinitely their rates charges:

• aged 65 and over;  and
• the combined income of all property owners must be below the annual average earnings ($80,770);  and
• the unimproved value of the property must be higher than the 80th percentile value ($390,000);  and
• property owners must have at least 75 percent equity in their home.

A relatively low rate of simple interest is charged on deferred amounts.  To apply for a deferal of charges please use the Rate Deferral (Aged) Application Form [RTF, 279Kb], [PDF, 99Kb].

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