Rates & Concessions
All Rockingham ratepayers have the option of paying rates by 2 or 4 instalments. Full details are given in the annual rate notices sent to ratepayers in August/September each year. Ratepayers can pay their rates in person at the Council Administration Building, Civic Boulevard, Rockingham. Payments can be made by cash, cheque, credit card or EFTPOS, or by using a reply paid envelope to send the payment through the mail. Payments can also be made at any Australia Post Agency or by BPay. To utilise the BPay facility you need to contact your participating financial institution to arrange payment from your cheque, savings account or credit card.
Council provides the "Application for Rates Rebate" forms at the main enquiries counter. Upon completion of the form the Customer Service Staff will photocopy your Pension Card and forward your application to the rates department. Pensioners will receive a discount of up to 50% depending on circumstances on both Water Rates and Council Rates.
Council has change of ownership and change of address forms readily available at the enquiries counter. It is vital that rate payers keep their details current. This ensures that rates are forwarded to the correct address and avoids customers incurring any unwanted penalties including interest on overdue rates.
For further information please refer to the Rates Information Page or contact the Senior Rates Clerk on 9528 0338.
Pensioners who meet the eligibility criteria below, are entitled to claim a rebate of up to 50% off the current years rates, or may defer payment of those rates. Persons who hold a Seniors Card issued by the Office of Seniors Interests and a Commonwealth Seniors Health card are entitled to the same level of concession as a pensioner. Seniors who meet the following eligibility criteria are entitled to claim a rebate of up to 25%, where the rebate is limited to a maximum amount.
Eligibility Criteria - to be eligible for concessions under the Rates and Charges (Rebates and Deferments) Act 1992, an applicant must:
- be the owner and reside in the property on 1 July of the rating year;
- if a Pensioner either:
- be in receipt of a pension and hold a pensioner concession card or State concession card; or
- hold both a Seniors Card issued by the Office of Seniors Interests and a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card; or
- if a Senior person holds a Seniors Card issued by the office of Seniors Interests;
- register your entitlement with Council or the Water Corporation (concessions only apply once your application is received and registered).
A pro-rata rebate may be available from the date of registration to pensioners and Seniors who become eligible after 1 July of the rating year.
Please contact Council where you have rate arrears outstanding on the property and you meet the eligibility criteria. You may be able to enter into an arrangement that entitles you to a rebate or deferment. if your circumstances change-particularily with respect to your ownership or occupation of the property, or your eligibility as a Senior or Pensioner - you must notify Council and the Water Corporation. Your registration will be cancelled or amended, as appropriate.
Please note that refuse charges are not subject to any concessions.
All rates enquiries should be directed to Council's main switchboard on 9528 0333.
