If you have a valid concession card and meet certain criteria, you may be able to claim a rebate or defer your current rates and Emergency Services Levy.

Rebates granted to pensioners and seniors under the Rates and Charges (Rebates and Deferments) Act 1992 are funded by the Government of Western Australia. These rebates are limited to a maximum (capped) amount set which is set by the Government of Western Australia each financial year.

Are you eligible for rates concessions?

To qualify for any concessions, you must:
 

• Own and live in the property at 1 July of the year that you are applying in;
• Hold a valid Seniors card to be eligible to receive up to a 25% capped rebate on your rates and Emergency Services Levy (deferment is not available);
• Hold both a valid Seniors card and a valid Commonwealth Seniors Health Card to be eligible to receive up to a 50% capped rebate on your rates and the Emergency Services Levy (deferment is available with this card combination);
• Hold a Pensioner Concession Card or State Concession Card to be eligible to receive up to a 50% capped rebate on your rates and the Emergency Services Levy (deferment is available with either of these cards);

If you are a co-owner of a property and the other owner/s of the property do not reside there and you hold any of the above card combinations, please contact the City's Rates team via email at rates@belmont.wa.gov.au or phone on 9477 7485 to discuss potential eligibility for proportional rebates.

What are deffered rates?

 Each year you have a choice to either:

• Pay the rebated amount by the end of that financial year (30 June) and the City will claim the balance from the Government of Western Australia (Rebate amount), or
• Pay the rubbish service levy and pool levy if applicable and defer the rates and ESL amounts.

What happens if you defer your rates:

• You will lose the ability to claim a rebate on those rates for that financial year
• If eligible any amount of rates and Emergency Services levy outstanding on your account as at 30 June each year will automatically be deferred (Full amount outstanding);
• Deferred rates are not charged penalties as long as you continue to reside in the property you are registered against;
• You will still need to pay all other charges including rubbish service charges and pool inspection fees in full by the due date on the rate notice issued each year.

Once you have paid enough each year to claim a rebate, you can make payments to reduce the deferred total over time. If your circumstances change you may be required to pay the deferred rates. Please contact the City immediately if this occurs.

Under the Rates and Charges (Rebates and Deferments) Act 1992 the due date cannot be extended past 30 June to claim a rebate.

For more information, please email rates@belmont.wa.gov.au or phone the City’s Rates team on 9477 7485.

Two ways to apply for a concession

You can apply for your Council rates concession through your application with the Water Corporation

If you qualify for concessions as mentioned above, you can apply for a rates concession directly with the Water Corporation. You can either:
 

• Phone the Water Corporation on 1300 659 951;
• Apply for a concession online with the Water Corporation;
• Complete an application at the City of Belmont Civic Centre.

Once completed through the Water Corporation, your application will be processed and then a copy forwarded to the City. This process can take up to 10 days before it is received by the City.  

Your application will take effect from the date the application was made with the Water Corporation regardless on the time it takes for the City to receive and process the application.

If you apply in person at the City’s Civic Centre, the City will then inturn forward a copy to the Water Corporation on your behalf. Please ensure that you bring all your cards, identification and any co-owners (with their cards) with you, as all owners with cards will need to sign your application form.

Events which can affect your concessions

The Department of Finance (RevenueWA) has various methods of checking the accuracy of the City’s records to make sure that you are still eligible for concessions. If any of the details checked do not match, your claim may be rejected and concessions may be amended or cancelled.

Please advise the City of Belmont if your situation changes. For example, if:
 

• You have changed from a Services Australia (previously known as Centrelink) pension to a Veteran Affairs pension and have not completed a new application;
• You hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and a Seniors Card and are only registered at the City with a Seniors Card;
• Your partner also now has a concession card and you have not completed a joint application yet;
• You are now not working more than 25 hours per week and are over 60, and have applied for and received a Seniors Card;
• Ownership of your property has changed recently for any reason;
• You have moved from one property to another and forgotten to complete a new application for concessions;
• You are working more than 25 hours per week and no longer eligible to a Seniors Card. (Please note, you will also need to return the card to Department of Communities with a note advising them of your situation).

If your concession is cancelled, you will not be eligible for any rebates until you apply again and your application is approved.

For more information, please email rates@belmont.wa.gov.au or phone the City’s Rates team on 9477 7485.

Learn more about concession cards

To learn more about concession cards and find out if you are eligible, please:

• Phone 1800 671 233 for WA Seniors Card;
• Phone 13 23 00 for Services Australia (previously known as Centrelink);
• Phone 13 32 54 for Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, Pensioners Concession Card or State Concession Card from the Department of Veteran Affairs.