Mitcham Council Rates Concession

Pensioner Rates Concessions in the City of Mitcham

The City of Mitcham stretches from the inner southern suburbs of Colonel Light Gardens and Torrens Park into the Adelaide Hills foothills at Belair and Blackwood. It's a mid-to-large metropolitan council with a broad range of property values — from older bungalows in the lower suburbs through to larger hills properties that attract substantial rates bills.

The state abolished the direct council rates concession in 2015 and replaced it with the Cost of Living Concession, paid as a cash transfer to your bank account. Mitcham also has a rate-capping scheme for eligible ratepayers whose rates would otherwise increase by more than 12.5%, described below.

State Concessions

Through ConcessionsSA, eligible pensioners and low-income homeowners can claim:

• Cost of Living Concession: $270.60 paid directly to your bank account (August–December)
• Energy bill concession: up to $291.27 a year
• Water and sewerage concession: water $304.12 to $484.80; sewerage up to $228.12 for homeowner-occupiers
• ESL remission: up to $46

Apply at sa.gov.au/concessions by 31 December each year. The application covers all four concessions in one form.

Seniors Rates Postponement

SA Seniors Card holders who own their Mitcham home can postpone all council rates above $500 per year under Section 182A of the Local Government Act. This is a statutory right that Mitcham cannot refuse.

For Mitcham residents with homes in the foothills — where capital values have risen sharply with demand for hills-adjacent properties — the postponement can defer a significant portion of the rates bill. The deferred amount accrues compound interest at the prescribed statutory rate and remains a charge on the property until it's sold or transferred.

Apply directly to Mitcham's rates team with your SA Seniors Card number. If a mortgage is registered, provide a lender statement showing that the mortgage balance plus projected postponed rates will not exceed 50% of the property's Capital Value, and notify the mortgagee.

Mitcham's Rate Capping

Mitcham's 2026/27 rate-capping scheme automatically rebates eligible ratepayers who would otherwise receive a rates increase over 12.5%. If you think you qualify and the rebate is missing from your rates notice, call 1300 133 466.

Hardship Assistance

Mitcham operates a Section 182 hardship policy for ratepayers in financial difficulty. The council can arrange customised payment plans, waive interest on overdue amounts, and in exceptional circumstances grant partial rate remission.

For serious financial difficulty, the National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007) connects you to a free accredited counsellor who can negotiate with Mitcham on your behalf.

Property Valuation Objections

If your Mitcham property valuation looks too high, you have 60 days from your first rates notice to lodge a free objection with the Office of the Valuer-General. Compare your capital value against recent comparable sales — the hills/plains boundary in Mitcham means properties a few streets apart can have very different values, so choose comparables in the same zone.

For a complete walkthrough of every SA concession, postponement and objection process, see our Council Rates Help for Pensioners in South Australia guide.

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