If you have a valid concession card and meet certain criteria, you may be able to claim a rebate on 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.

Please note, the Government of Western Australia also advise the capped amount each year for both pensioners and seniors.

You might be eligible for rates concessions

To qualify for a pensioner or senior rebate or deferment, 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 and/or you may be able to defer these two charges each year;
• 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 or you may be able to defer these two charges each year.

Deferring your rates

 Please note, if you defer your rates:
 

• You will lose the ability to claim a rebate on those rates i.e. the total balance of the outstanding rates will be deferred;
• Deferred rates are not charged penalties;
• 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;
• 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).

If your circumstances change, you may need to pay your rates in full.

For more information, please email rates@belmont.wa.gov.au or phone the City’s Rates team on 9477 7222.

You may also be eligible for a rates concession through the Water Corporation

If you have a valid concession card, 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.

 
If you apply direct with the Water Corporation, a copy of your application will be forwarded to the City. Please allow up to 10 days for this to occur.

If you apply in person at the City’s Civic Centre, the City will then 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.

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.
 

Events which can affect your concessions

The Department of Finance 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 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 7222.

Learn more about concession cards

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

• Phone 6551 8000 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.