Concession and hardship support
If you are finding it hard to pay your rates, talk to us. We offer these support services:
Interest free 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 2026.
Deferrals: If you can't enter into a payment plan, you can ask us about deferring payment until 30 June 2026.
Waivers (in exceptional circumstances).
Apply online for rates payment plan or deferral.
To apply for a waiver, please complete the financial hardship rates waiver application form.
If you prefer, you can talk to our team. Phone us on 03 9209 6777 for a confidential conversation.
What happens when you apply for assistance?
- You will not be charged interest.
- You will hear from a council officer within 14 days.
- You can object if you are not satisfied with the outcome. Your application will be considered by a senior council officer not previously involved in your case.
Pensioner rebates
Pensioners can apply for 3 rebates to help reduce the amount you pay:
- Victorian Government Pension Rebate – up to 50% of your rates (to a maximum of $266).
- Port Phillip rebate – up to $230 or a maximum of 50% of rates payable when combined with the Victorian Government rebate.
- Emergency Services Volunteer Fund rebate – a fixed $50 rebate.
You can apply for all 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:
- Download the Municipal Rates Concession application form below and save it on your computer.
- Fill in the form, ensuring you provide the type and number of your concession card.
- Print and sign the last page of the form.
- Scan a copy of your concession card and a copy of the form.
To submit electronically
- email the form and the scanned copy of your concession card to rates@portphillip.vic.gov.au
Or - attach the form and the scanned copy of your concession card to your request in your My Port Phillip online account.
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.
Not online? Ask for a paper form with a reply paid envelope. Phone us on 03 9209 6777.
Volunteer rebates
Eligible volunteers and life members can get a rebate on the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund on your rates notice. This is managed by the Victorian Government.
Visit Service Victoria to find out more.
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 373 KB).