Financial hardship assistance
If you are experiencing hardship and having difficulty paying your rates, we encourage you to contact Council as early as possible. Our Revenue Services Team can discuss the support options available and help you find a suitable solution.
Hardship can arise for many reasons, including illness, injury, unemployment, family or relationship breakdown, family violence, natural disasters or other unexpected life events.
Eligibility
Financial hardship assistance is available only for rates on your sole or principal place of residence.
Support available
Depending on your circumstances, Council may be able to provide:
- a payment arrangement tailored to your financial circumstances
- temporary deferment of rates and charges
- waiver of penalty interest.
Non-principal places of residence
Financial hardship assistance is not available for investment properties, vacant land or other non-principal places of residence.
If you own a non-principal place of residence, you can still contact Council to discuss your payment options. Voluntary payments can be made at a frequency that suits you; however, these payments do not form part of a formal payment arrangement. Penalty interest may apply to any overdue balance, and unpaid accounts may be referred to Council's debt collection agency.
Additional support
If you would like independent financial counselling or other support, Council can provide information about free support services that may be able to assist.
How to apply:
To apply for financial hardship assistance, complete the application form and provide any supporting documentation that will assist Council to assess your application. Applications will be assessed in accordance with Council's Property Rate Debt Management Policy.
What happens next?
Once you submit your application:
- Council will assess your application in accordance with the Property Rate Debt Management Policy (PDF, 317KB).
- We may contact you if we need additional information to support your application.
- We will advise you of the outcome and, where appropriate, discuss the support options available.
- If your application is approved, you will need to maintain the agreed payment arrangement.
Please note: Financial hardship assistance does not remove your obligation to pay your rates. It is designed to provide flexible support to help you meet your rate obligations in a way that reflects your individual circumstances.