Rates concessions and rebates
Check for the stamp
To see if a discount has already been applied to your rates and charges, look for the 'Pensioner concession applied' stamp on the front page of your rates notice (to the right of the 'post-it' note).
COVID-19 Health Care Card rates rebate for 2020-21
Eligible Health Care Card holders can apply for a $50 rebate on the 2020-21 rates for their residential property (including vacant residential land).
- This offer is not available to ratepayers that hold an eligible Pensioner Concession Card and already receive the Municipal Rates Concession as per the State Concessions Act 2004 and S171(1)(a) of the Local Government Act 1989.
- If you are eligible for both the JobSeeker and COVID-19 Health Care Card rebates, you will only receive one rebate which can be applied for through either application form.
- This rebate can only be claimed for one property.
Eligibility criteria
The ratepayer must hold one of the following cards issued by Services Australia or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs:
- Health Care Card
- Low Income Health Care Card
- Ex Carer Allowance (Child) Health Care Card
- Foster Child Health Care Card
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
- Veteran Card - White, Gold or Orange (and not already receiving the Municipal Rates Concession).
Please note that:
- the ratepayer’s name must be on the rates account as either owner or life tenant.
- the ratepayer must be responsible for paying the rates account
- the name on the rates account must match the one on the eligible card.
What you need to provide with your application
- Full name
- Rateable property address
- Contact details
- Customer Reference Number (CRN)
- A photo of the eligible concession card.
Apply
Apply online – COVID-19 rate rebate application form
You can also download and print a hard copy application form, and send it to us by email, post, or fax.
Rates rebate if you get the JobSeeker Payment
We also offer a $50 rates rebate for ratepayers who receive the JobSeeker Payment.
To apply for this rebate, complete the form and post or email it to us
Post
Rates concession application
Cardinia Shire Council
PO Box 7
Pakenham VIC 3810
Download the form
Maximum concession amounts for all other rebates on the 2020-21 rates
For 2020-21, the maximum concession amounts are $241 for rates and $50 for the Fire Services Property Levy.
Am I eligible for a rates concession?
If you hold one of these concession cards:
- Pensioner Concession Card issued by Department of Human Services or Department of Veterans’ Affairs
- Veterans' Affairs Gold Cards given for TPI, War Widow, EDA or POW
you may receive a discount on your rates if the property is your principal place of residence (that is, you live in the property), and you do not receive this concession on any other property.
The concession does not apply to Health Care Card or Seniors Card holders.
More information: Department of Health and Human Services website
How to apply for the concession
If you have a Pensioner concession card or Veterans' Affairs Gold Card for TPI or War Widow
Download and complete the municipal rates concession form and post it to us at:
Rates concession application
Cardinia Shire Council
PO Box 7
Pakenham VIC 3810
Download a municipal rates concession application form
If you prefer, you can call us on 1300 787 624 and we will send a copy of the form to you.
If you have a Veterans' Affairs Gold Card for EDA or POW
Complete the municipal rates concession form – EDA and POWs and send it to the address shown on the form.
Download a municipal rates concession application form for EDA and POWs
If you prefer, you can call the Concessions information line on 1800 658 521 and they will send a copy of the form to you.
They will check your concession card details with Centrelink and provide the concession as a rebate.