Playford Council Rates Concession

Rates Concessions in the City of Playford

The City of Playford covers Adelaide's outer northern suburbs — Elizabeth, Davoren Park, Craigmore, Munno Para and Andrews Farm among them. It's an area with a high proportion of pensioners and fixed-income households, and the rates concession question comes up frequently.

Playford does not offer its own direct pensioner rates rebate. Instead, the council directs pensioners to the two main state and statutory programs: the Cost of Living Concession through ConcessionsSA and the Seniors Rates Postponement under Section 182A of the Local Government Act.

State Concessions Through ConcessionsSA

Every eligible pensioner in Playford can claim the full household concessions package from ConcessionsSA:

• Cost of Living Concession: $270.60 paid to your bank account between August and December
• Energy bill concession: up to $291.27 a year, usually credited to your electricity bill
• 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. One application covers all four concessions. If you applied previously and your circumstances haven't changed, renewal is automatic.

The COLC replaced the old direct council rate concession in 2015. If you're looking for a rates discount on your Playford bill and can't find one, that's why — the concession is now a separate bank payment rather than a line item on your rates notice.

Seniors Rates Postponement

SA Seniors Card holders who own their home in the Playford area can postpone all council rates above $500 per year. This is a statutory entitlement — Playford must grant it if you meet the requirements.

You need to own the property (solely or jointly with a spouse), occupy it as your principal residence, and hold a valid SA Seniors Card. The postponed rates accrue compound interest and remain a charge against the property title until sale or transfer.

Apply directly to Playford's rates team. They'll verify your Seniors Card status and property ownership.

Hardship Relief

Playford has a standard Section 182 hardship policy. If you're in financial difficulty — whether or not you hold a concession card — you can apply for a payment plan to spread your rates over manageable instalments. In serious cases, the council may consider partial remission.

Playford often refers ratepayers in hardship to the National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007) for free financial counselling. An accredited counsellor can also negotiate directly with the council on your behalf if you're facing overdue rates or penalty charges.

Aged Care Transitions in Playford

Playford's council website notes that rates postponement rights are linked to your principal place of residence. If a Playford ratepayer moves permanently into residential aged care, the property ceases to be their principal residence and postponement stops accruing on new rates. The existing postponed balance continues to attract interest until the property is sold.

The owner or their power of attorney must notify Playford in writing when the move is permanent. Temporary absences for hospitalisation or respite care don't affect your status.

For a step-by-step guide to every state and council-level concession available, including eligibility matrices and document checklists, see our Council Rates Help for Pensioners in South Australia guide.

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