Concessions and Assistance

Council provides concessions and assistance to support eligible ratepayers, including pensioners, not‑for‑profit organisations and those affected by undetected water leaks. Details on eligibility and how to apply are outlined below.

Pensioner Subsidies

If you hold a Queensland Pensioner Concession Card or a Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card (for all conditions), you may be eligible for concessions on your general rates.

What assistance is available?

The Queensland Government provides a pensioner subsidy of 20%, capped at $200 per year, on general rates. If you are eligible, Council will also apply a matching 20% concession, capped at $200 per year.

This means eligible pensioners may receive a total concession of up to 40%, or $400 per year, on their general rates. The concession is applied evenly across both rate notices each year.

Am I eligible?

You may be eligible if:

  • You own the property the concession is being claimed on
  • The property is your principal place of residence
  • You are not claiming a concession on another property
  • You hold a valid:
    • Queensland Pensioner Concession Card, or
    • Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card (for all conditions)

How to apply

To apply, complete the Pensioner Concession Application Form and return it to Council with a copy of your current concession card.

If you are already receiving the pensioner subsidy, you do not need to re‑apply.

For assistance, contact Council on (07) 4776 4600.

Downloads

 

Concessions for Not-for-Profit Organisations

In accordance with the Local Government Regulation 2012, Council may provide concessions on general rates, water and sewerage charges to eligible not‑for‑profit organisations.

Eligibility and concession types are outlined in Council’s Rate Rebate and Concession Policy.

How to apply

Not‑for‑profit organisations seeking a concession must complete and submit an Application for Rates‑Based Assistance.

For more information, contact the Rates team on (07) 4776 4600 or submit an enquiry via Council’s online enquiry form.

Downloads

 

Water Leak Relief

If you experience an unusually high water consumption, it may be caused by an undetected water leak on your property.

How to check for a leak

You can perform simple checks, including:

  • Turning off all water appliances and checking whether the water meter continues to move
  • Looking for unexplained puddles or wet patches on your property

What relief is available?

If an undetected leak is confirmed and repaired, you may be eligible for Water Leak Relief to help reduce part of the excess water consumption charge.

To be considered:

  • The leak must be repaired by a licensed plumber
  • Water consumption must have increased by more than 50 kilolitres above normal usage
  • All eligibility criteria must be met

How much relief can be applied?

  • Standard ratepayers:
    Up to 50% of the additional water usage above normal consumption
  • Eligible pensioners and not‑for‑profit organisations:
    Up to 100% of the additional water usage above normal consumption

Normal consumption is based on water usage for the same billing period in the previous financial year and applied at the current water tariff.

Important conditions

  • Relief is not available to commercial or industrial ratepayers
  • Relief is capped at $500 per property per financial year
  • A property is only eligible once every three years

How to apply

You must submit:

Downloads

For more information, contact Council on (07) 4776 4600.

 

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