Apply for a pensioner rebate

Eligibility 

Concessions are available for eligible pensioners. To be an eligible pensioner you must receive a pension from either Centrelink or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and be entitled to a pensioner concession card issued by the Commonwealth Government.

To apply for a concession you need to complete a pensioner concession application form(PDF, 1MB). These forms are available at Council’s administration centre, here on our website(PDF, 1MB) or by phoning 02 6655 7300.

You may be eligible for a rebate if you:

• are liable to pay the rates and charges on a property which is your sole or principal place of residence
• have a current pensioner concession card issued by Centrelink or the Department of Veteran’s Affairs

• provide a current copy of your Concession card.

For your convenience, local libraries at Urunga, Bellingen, and Dorrigo can assist in photocopying and forwarding documents to Council for processing.  Alternatively, the form and identification can be submitted at Council.

Rebates 

All NSW councils give a mandatory rebate to eligible pensioners of up to:

• $250.00 off residential ordinary rates

• $87.50 off fixed water charges

• $87.50 off fixed sewer charges

About your payments 

• If you start receiving a pension after the commencement of a quarterly billing period and you meet the above conditions, you can claim a rebate from the start of the next quarterly billing period.

• If you cease to qualify as an eligible pensioner, or you sell the property in which you live, you will not be entitled to receive a rebate after the end of the quarterly billing period in which you ceased to be eligible.

• If you were granted a pensioner rebate in advance that you are no longer entitled to, it will be charged back to your rate account for the period relating to your ineligibility.