Concession and hardship support

If you are finding it hard to pay your rates, talk to us. We offer concessions, rebates, payment plans and other support. Available for pensioners, businesses and residential ratepayers.

Talk to us about your situation. Apply for rates hardship assistance online, or phone us on 03 9209 6777.

Pensioner rebates

If you are a pensioner and pay rates in Port Phillip you can apply for 2 rebates to help reduce the amount you pay:

  • Victorian Government Pension Rebate – up to 50% of your rates (to a maximum of $253.20).
  • Port Phillip rebate – up to $210 or a maximum of 50% of rates payable when combined with the Victorian Government rebate.

You can apply for both rebates. They have the same eligibility criteria.

Are you eligible?

To get the rebate you must be a pensioner and live at the property you are applying for. You must not have received a rebate on any other property in the same financial year.

You must have one of these pensioner concession cards:

  • Centrelink or the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA)
  • Gold Repatriation Health Card – Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (DVA)
  • Gold Repatriation Health Card – War Widow (DVA).

Apply for a pensioner or concession rebate

To apply for the rebate:

  1. Download the Municipal Rates Concession application form and save it on your computer.
  2. Fill in the form, ensuring you provide the type and number of your concession card.
  3. Print and sign the last page of the form.
  4. Scan a copy of your concession card and a copy of the form.

To submit electronically

To submit a hard copy you can:

  • visit one of our customer service counters during opening hours at St Kilda Town Hall or Port Melbourne Town Hall
  • mail the form and a photocopy of your concession card to:
    City of Port Phillip
    Attn: Rates Department
    Private Bag 3
    St Kilda, VIC 3182

Please pay your rates and charges by the due date until your eligibility for a rebate is confirmed. This will ensure you avoid interest charges.

If you qualify, the rebate will be applied to your rates account.

Apply for a pensioner rates rebate

Not online? Ask for a paper form with a reply paid envelope. Phone us on 03 9209 6777

Hardship support

If you are finding it hard to pay your rates, talk to us. We offer these support services:

  • financial counselling
  • interest free payment plans
  • deferrals
  • waivers (in exceptional circumstances).

Apply for hardship support online or phone us on 03 9209 6777 for a confidential conversation.

Payment plans

If you have fallen behind on your payments or are about to, talk to us about setting up a payment plan. No interest will be charged on approved payment plans up to 1 July 2024.

Apply for a rates payment plan

Deferral of rates and charges

If you can’t enter into a payment plan, you can apply to defer paying the rates you owe until 30 June 2024, interest free.

Apply to defer rates

Financial counselling

Talk to a counsellor for help managing your debt. Services are free and confidential.

National Debt Helpline

Website: National Debt Helpline
Phone: 1800 007 007
Small business support: 1800 413 828

Port Phillip Community Group

Website: PPCG financial counselling
Phone: 1300 015 500

MoneySmart

Free service from the Australian Government providing advice to help you manage your money. Go to MoneySmart.

More about rates support

Find out more about how we support ratepayers who find it hard to pay - read our Financial Hardship Policy (PDF 403 KB).

Contact the rates team

To talk to us about your rates send a direct message, or phone us on 03 9209 6777 during business hours Monday to Friday.