City of Charles Sturt - Rate Relief

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Rate Relief

  Rate Relief Provided By Us

State Government Concessions

Please note that Council does not administer the concessions below. We act only on the information provided to us by Revenue SA and the Department for Families and Communities.

Rate Relief Options provided by us

Rate Increase Capping - No Need to Apply

If our records show you are eligible, your rates account will be automatically adjusted to limit any rate increase to 12.5% of the rates paid for 2011/12.

This capping rebate is provided to reduce the impact on residential ratepayers whose rates have increased substantially this year due to rapid changes in valuations.

To be eligible, the increase in rates levied of more than 12.5 percent (excluding the Natural Resources Management Levy and Pensioner Concessions) can not be as a result of:

  • improvements made to the property worth more than $20,000; or
  • a change to the land use of the property, or
  • ownership of the rateable property has changed since 1 July 2011.

If you believe you meet the criteria for the rate capping rebate and a rebate does not appear on your rates notice, please contact us.

Note: ratepayers should appreciate that there can be a delay in valuations being adjusted for improvements made to a property by the Valuer General, spanning over financial years

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Pensioners and Self Funded Retirees - Remission and Postponement

Are you a pensioner or self funded retiree on the minimum rate of $920 for 2012/13? If so, then you may be eligible for further rate relief.

Minimum Rate Remission - No need to apply

If our records show that your property is on the minimum rate of $920 in 2012/13 and you were also levied the minimum rate in 2011/12 and successfully received a minimum rate remission in 2011/12 of $32 you will receive a further remission of rates in 2012/13 of $45.

For those on the minimum in 2012/13 of $920 and on the minimum in 2011/12 but who received a remission of $12 in 2011/12 you will be entitled to a remission of $25.

These rebates will be calculated by council and adjusted to your rates notice if council records show you are eligible.

If you believe you meet the criteria for the minimum rate remission rebate and a rebate does not appear on your rates notice, please contact us.
Postponement of Rates

If you or your spouse currently hold a seniors card and your property is you or your spouse's principal place of residence you may be able to defer the amount of your rates that exceeds $500 until your property is sold. Other criteria apply. Interest will accrue on the deferred amount.

Postponement of Rates for Seniors - Application Form (151 kb)

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Vacant Land - Rebate for Construction (Residential)

If you are building your new family home in 2012/13 on land classed as "vacant land" on your annual rates notice for 2012/13 you may be eligible for a rate rebate.

To be eligible for a rebate you must demonstrate that building works have substantially commenced (footings poured) and you will live in the home on completion for at least 1 year.

A rebate of 100% of the difference between the vacant and residential rate for your property may be made if the footings have been poured prior to 31 December 2012.

A rebate of 50% of the difference between the vacant and residential rate for your property may be made if the footings are poured after 31 December 2012.

Residential Construction Rebate - Application Form (178 kb)

Applications must be received before 30 June 2013.

A person willfully making a false declaration is liable to substantial penalty.

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Hardship - Arrangements for Special Circumstances

If you are experiencing difficulties meeting your rates payments and are experiencing financial hardship please contact us to arrange tailored payment plan to meet your circumstances. All arrangements are strictly confidential.

Budgeting Tools & Managing the Cost of Living

Explore the SA Government Link below for ideas, tips and budgeting tools designed to assist your household in managing its cost of living:

Affordable Living

Community Purpose Land - Rebate of Rates

Rate rebates apply for land used for health and community services, religious purposes, cemeteries and educational institutions. These rebates vary from 25% - 100%.

If you believe your organisation may be eligible for a discretionary rebate you will be required to lodge an application form by 30 April each year.

Rate Rebate Application - Community Purpose Land (203 kb)

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State Government Concessions

Pensioners

Eligible pensioners may be entitled to a rates concession.

Concessions forms can be downloaded from www.sa.gov.au/concessions or by phoning Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI) on 1800 307 758.

Please note that seeking a remission does not change the due date for payment of rates.

Self Funded Retirees

State Seniors Card holders may be eligible for a rates concession. Enquiries http://www.revenuesa.sa.gov.au/, or phone Revenue SA on 1300 366 150.

Unemployed, Sickness or Low Income

Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI) may assist with the payment towards the rates for your principal place of residence (remissions are not available on vacant land or rental premises).

For further information go to www.sa.gov.au/concessions.

Please contact the Concessions Hotline on 1800 307 758 and have your rates notice with you when you make application.

Please note that Council does not administer the above concessions. We act only on the information provided to us by Revenue SA and DCSI.

Energy Concessions

People who used to receive concessions but have moved house or changed energy retailers must phone Concessions Hotline on 1800 307 758 to update their information or the concession will stop.

Eligible South Australian residents may be able to receive a concession of up to $165 per year on their household energy bills, to assist with electricity and gas payments (including LPG bottled gas).

Go to SA Government Energy Concessions website for more info on how to apply.

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