WA Pensioner Rates Rebate Cap

2026-27 Council Rates Caps

The Minister for Finance sets the maximum rebate amounts each year. For the 2026-27 rating year:

• Pensioner Concession Card / State Concession Card / WASC+CSHC holders: 50% rebate, capped at $750 on council general rates
• WA Seniors Card only: 25% rebate, capped at $100 on council general rates

If 50% of your council rates comes to less than $750, you receive the full percentage discount. If it exceeds the cap, you receive $750 and pay the rest.

A homeowner with $1,800 in general council rates and a Pensioner Concession Card would calculate 50% × $1,800 = $900. Since $900 exceeds the $750 cap, the rebate is $750 and they pay $1,050.

A WA Seniors Card holder with the same rates: 25% × $1,800 = $450, but the cap is $100, so they pay $1,700.

Emergency Services Levy — No Dollar Cap

The ESL rebate matches your rates rebate percentage (50% for Tier 1, 25% for Tier 2) but has no dollar cap. On a $320 ESL, a pensioner saves $160 and a Seniors Card holder saves $80, with no ceiling limiting either amount.

Water Service Charge Caps and Sub-Caps

Water service concessions have their own separate caps:

• Tier 1: 50% rebate, capped at $600 total across water supply ($108.86 sub-cap), sewerage ($436.15 sub-cap), and drainage ($54.99 sub-cap)
• Tier 2: 25% rebate, capped at $100 total

Water consumption rebates are additional for Pensioner Concession Card and State Concession Card holders. In metro Perth, they get 50% off the first 150kL of water usage (worth up to $158.10). Regional areas receive higher volume allowances — up to 600kL in northern WA. WA Seniors Card + CSHC holders do not receive a water-usage rebate.

The $650 Gap Between Tiers

The difference between a $100 rates cap and a $750 rates cap is $650 per year on council rates alone. Add the water service cap gap ($100 vs $600), and the two cap differences total $1,150 in potential annual rebates. Neither WA Seniors Card-only holders nor WA Seniors Card + CSHC holders receive a water-usage rebate; Pensioner Concession Card and State Concession Card holders may qualify for that separate rebate.

If you hold a WA Seniors Card and also qualify for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (issued by Services Australia based on income), the combination unlocks the full Tier 1 rebate. Contact Services Australia on 13 23 00 to check the current income thresholds.

When Caps Reset

Caps apply per rating year (1 July to 30 June). If you register mid-year, your cap is pro-rated from the date of registration. A pensioner who registers on 1 November with 242 days remaining in the year receives up to (242/365) × $750 = $497 on their council rates.

Our WA Rates Concessions Guide includes worked calculations for every card combination and a cap worksheet you can fill in with your actual bill figures.

See more Western Australia guides →