Moving House and Pensioner Rates Concession in WA

Your Concession Does Not Follow You Automatically

When you sell your home and buy a new one, your rates concession does not transfer to the new property. The concession is tied to a specific property and specific registration. You must re-register with the Water Corporation at your new address.

On the old property, your concession is cancelled at settlement. The settlement agent apportions the rates between you and the buyer based on the net (rebated) amount you paid.

The 1 July Ownership Rule

Council rates in WA operate on a rating year running from 1 July to 30 June. To receive a council rates concession for any given year, you must have owned and occupied the property as your primary residence on 1 July.

If you move into your new home on 15 August, you have missed the 1 July cutoff for that rating year. Your council rates concession on the new property will not start until 1 July of the following year. There is no partial council rates rebate for the period from 15 August to 30 June.

This does not apply to water concessions. Water Corporation concessions start from the date you register at the new address, regardless of when you moved in. So there is value in re-registering immediately even if you have missed the 1 July rates cutoff.

Pro-Rata Rebates When You Already Owned on 1 July

If you owned and occupied the property on 1 July but were not yet registered (perhaps you were still settling in or did not know about the concession), you can register mid-year and receive a pro-rata council rates rebate from your registration date.

The formula is: full annual rebate × (days registered ÷ 365).

A pensioner who owned their home on 1 July but registers on 1 November (with 242 days remaining) would receive up to $750 × (242/365) = $497 in pro-rata council rates rebate.

Re-Registration Checklist

When you move:

1. Before settlement — confirm your concession will be cancelled on the sold property at settlement
2. At settlement — verify the rates apportionment on your settlement statement reflects the concession credits you are entitled to
3. After moving in — register your concession at the new address through the Water Corporation (watercorporation.com.au/concessions or 1300 659 951)
4. Wait 5-10 business days — for the electronic notification to reach your new council
5. Check your first rate notice — confirm the concession is showing on the new property

If you are downsizing and moving between different council areas (for example, from the City of Stirling to the City of Rockingham), the Water Corporation handles the cross-council transfer. You do not need to contact both councils.

If Any Deferred Rates Exist

If you deferred rates on the old property, the accumulated deferred balance becomes payable at settlement. The settlement agent deducts it from the sale proceeds before disbursement. Deferred rates are registered as a charge against the title at Landgate, so they will appear on the title search during the conveyancing process.

You start fresh at the new property with no deferred balance.

Our WA Rates Concessions Guide includes a detailed relocation transfer worksheet and timeline planner covering both the old and new property simultaneously.

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