What if I can’t pay my rates or afford the instalments offered?

There are times when property owners experience financial difficulties and may struggle to manage their financial commitments, particularly large bills such as rates.

Council is aware of the stress this can create in peoples’ lives and in some circumstances can provide support to property owners who are experiencing financial hardship. 

The most important step to take is to discuss the matter with our Revenue Services team so they are aware of the circumstances and can provide information regarding payment of rates by instalments, or if this is not an option, how to be considered for Financial Hardship assistance. Contact Council on (07) 4970 0700.

Under section 120(1)(c) of the Local Government Regulation 2012, Council may grant a concession if it is satisfied that ’the payment of rates or charges will cause hardship to the landowner‘.

Requests for a financial hardship concession on a property will be considered where it is the property owner's principal place of residence and the property owner is experiencing genuine financial hardship due to their current circumstances and:

1. The property owner is unable to maintain the required payment by instalments; and
2. The property owner has contacted an accredited financial counsellor (can be a not-for-profit accredited financial counsellor); and
3. The property owner has authorised an accredited financial counsellor to liaise with Council on their behalf in relation to the outstanding rates and charges; and
4. The accredited financial counsellor has assessed and provided Council with:
   • An independent assessment that the property owner is experiencing genuine financial hardship; and
   • A realistic payment arrangement the property owner is able to meet.

Under these circumstances, concession may be granted to a property owner of one or more of the following:

1. An agreed payment arrangement outside the current debt recovery action; and/or
2. Suspension of court action or sale of land for a period of time; and/or
3. Subject to satisfactory completion of an agreed payment arrangement:
   • Reimbursement of interest already applied and charged; and/or
   • Reimbursement of interest charges accruing between the application, consideration and completion of an agreed payment arrangement; and/or
   • Reimbursement of charges for costs to recover outstanding rates and charges (for which the court has ordered that the property owner pay costs).

Assessment of requests for financial hardship concession will include consideration of:

1. Information received from an accredited financial counsellor; and
2. Ratepayer history; and
3. Information on the property’s rate assessment including the value of the outstanding rates and charges, the period the rates and charges have been overdue, and related matters.

Concessions must operate within the budgetary limits allocated by Council each financial year. 

Rates and Charges Concessions and Exemptions Policy
Accredited Financial Counsellors

See also...

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