Pensioners and Seniors Rebate Scheme
The purpose of this scheme is to provide concessions to pensioners and seniors on their local government rates charges, annual water service charge and Emergency Service Levy. The concessions available are either a rebate on, or the deferment, of these charges.
To receive a concession a person must hold one or more of the appropriate Pensioner or Seniors cards and, on 1 July of the financial year, own and occupy residential property as their ordinary place of residence.
Concessions are available from the Water Corporation and local governments upon application.
How do I apply for a concession?
To register your entitlement for a rebate, you may apply over the phone by contacting the Water Corporation on telephone 1300 659 951, who conduct a common rebate registration service on behalf of local government and the Corporation for eligible pensioners and seniors. Alternatively, written applications should be made to your local government on the appropriate form as soon as you become eligible. A registration form can be obtained from the Water Corporation or your local government.
For further information on water concessions or to register your entitlement, go to watercorporation.com.au or call 1300 659 951.
Your application for registration will be effective from the date that either the Water Corporation or your local government receives a completed registration form.
You can only claim a concession on one property in any one financial year, being the property owned and occupied on 1 July.
You may also qualify for other concessions. Please refer to the Department for Communities website.
Manual (for administrative authorities)
Pensioners and Seniors Rebate Scheme Procedure Manual
Access to this document is restricted. This document is provided as a guide to assist administrative authorities (as defined in the Rates and Charges (Rebates and Deferments) Act 1992) to administer the Pensioner and Seniors Rebate Scheme. Access to the secure manual
Concession Eligibility
To receive a concession you must:
- hold an appropriate Pensioner or WA Seniors card and
- on 1 July of the current financial year own and occupy the property as your "ordinary place of residence".
To own means you must:
- be the owner or co owner of the property registered on the Certificate of Title or
- have a "right to reside" at the property under the terms of a Will (provided a copy of the appropriate documents are provided) or
- hold a long-term lease in a retirement village, park home park, lifestyle village or caravan park.
Concessions available to card holders
The following concessions are available to holders of a:
- WA Seniors Card (SC)
- Entitled to receive up to a 25% rebate on your annual water service charges, local government rates and emergency services levy.
- The rebate will be limited to a maximum amount.
- The deferment option is not available.
- WA Seniors Card (SC) AND a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC)
- Entitled to receive up to a 50% rebate on your annual water service charges, local government rates and emergency services levy.
- May be entitled to defer your annual water service charges, local government rates and emergency services levy.
- Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) OR State Concession Card (SCC)
- Entitled to receive up to a 50% rebate on your annual water service charges, local government rates and emergency services levy
- May be entitled to defer your annual water service charges, local government rates and emergency services levy.
- Entitled to receive a rebate on your water usage charges (a capped maximum amount applies each year).
You have the choice of either a rebate on, or the deferment of, your annual water service charges, local government rates and emergency services levy.
To Obtain a Rebate
Registered Owners
You must pay the amount on your notice by 30 June of the current financial year.
For example, rates for the 2010/11 rating year must be paid by 30 June 2011.
Leaseholders in Retirement Villages, Park Home Parks, Lifestyle Villages or Caravan Parks
You must pay according to the terms of your lease.
To Defer your Rates
Your annual water service charges, local government rates and emergency services levy will be automatically deferred, where you are eligible, if the amount required to be paid to receive a rebate is not paid by 30 June of the current financial year.
The deferment option is not available where the property is:
- occupied under a life tenancy or right of residency under the terms of a Will of a deceased estate;
- subject to co-ownership (other than spouse/de facto); or
- subject to a long-term lease in a retirement village, park home park, lifestyle village or caravan park.
Please note, if the deferment option is not available, and you do not pay your rates or charges before 30 June of the current financial year, you will lose your rebate and you will be required to pay the full amount.
- remain as a debt on the property until paid;
- are not required to be paid until your entitlement to defer ceases;
- may be paid at any time, but you do not receive any concession when they are paid; and
- do not incur interest charges.
Pro-Rata Provisions
If you become eligible to hold either a SC, PCC, SCC or a SC together with a CSHC during the year, you can still obtain a pro-rata rebate on your rates and charges for the current financial year from the date you register with either the Water Corporation or your local government.
Where arrears of your annual water service charges or local government rates or emergency services levy exist, a rebate or deferment may be available where you enter into, and comply with, a payment arrangement to clear the arrears.
You must immediately advise both the Water Corporation and your local government, if your circumstances change at any time. For example, notification is required if:
- you are issued with a new card or your card is cancelled or expires;
- your original application details will change or have changed;
- you sell or transfer an interest in all, or part, of your property or move to another address;
- you or your spouse ceases occupation of the property; or
- as a WA Seniors Card holder you become an eligible pensioner or the holder of a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
Where can I get more information about the cards?
You will need to contact one of the following organisations about concession cards:
Commonwealth Pensioner Concession Card or Seniors Health Card
Centrelink (Seniors Line)
Phone: 13 23 00
Commonwealth Department of Veterans Affairs
Phone: 13 32 54 or 1800 555 254 for country callers
WA Seniors Card
WA Seniors Card Centre, Level 1 Albert Facey House
469 Wellington Street, PERTH WA 6000
Phone: 6217 8855 or 1800 671 233 for country callers
State Concession Card
Department for Child Protection (WA Government)
Phone: 9222 2555 or 1800 622 258 for country callers
Fact Sheet: