WA Pensioner Rates Concession

Which Cards Qualify for WA Rates Concessions

Western Australia runs a two-tier rates concession scheme under the Rates and Charges (Rebates and Deferments) Act 1992. Your rebate percentage and dollar cap depend entirely on which card you hold.

Tier 1 (50% rebate, up to $750 on council rates):

• Pensioner Concession Card (from Services Australia or DVA)
• State Concession Card (from WA Department of Communities)
• WA Seniors Card paired with a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card

Tier 2 (25% rebate, up to $100 on council rates):

• WA Seniors Card alone

A Commonwealth Health Care Card does not qualify for any WA rates concession. This catches many people off guard — the card names sound similar, but the Health Care Card is specifically excluded from the scheme.

What the Concession Covers

The rebate applies to your council general rates, Emergency Services Levy, and any underground power charges raised on your rate notice. It does not cover waste collection fees, pool inspection fees, or specified area rates. Those charges must be paid in full regardless of your card status.

Water service charges have their own concession — up to $600 for Tier 1 cardholders and $100 for Tier 2. Water consumption rebates are available to Pensioner Concession Card and State Concession Card holders, with the volume allowance varying by region (150kL in metro Perth, up to 600kL in the north). WA Seniors Card + CSHC holders do not receive a water-usage rebate.

How to Register

One application through the Water Corporation covers both your water and council rates concessions. The Water Corporation runs a Common Registration Service that forwards your details to your local council automatically.

Three ways to apply:

1. Online — watercorporation.com.au/concessions (fastest; real-time card verification)
2. Phone — 1300 659 951
3. In person — at your local council office with your card and rate notice

Registration is not automatic when you receive your concession card. You must apply separately. If you have held an eligible card for years without registering, you can claim a pro-rata rebate for the current rating year from your registration date — but not for prior years.

The 1 July Rule

For council rates, you must have owned and occupied your property as your primary residence on 1 July (the start of the rating year) to receive the full-year rebate. If you moved in after 1 July, you wait until the following rating year for council rate concessions.

Water concessions work differently — they apply from the date you register, regardless of when you moved in.

What Happens Each Year

Once registered, your concession renews automatically at the start of each financial year. The Water Corporation and your council periodically verify your card status against Centrelink and DVA records. If your card expires or your circumstances change (you sell, rent out the property, or move), you must notify them within 30 days.

For a full breakdown of caps, card-pairing strategies, and deferral options, see our WA Rates Concessions Guide.

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