Pension rebate

A remission of the general rate is granted by Council, if the owner of the land is a pensioner and is eligible for the State Government pensioner remission. 

The State Government scheme provides a rebate of up to 20% (limits apply) of the gross rates and charges levied by Council. In addtion, to the State Government Scheme, Council provides a rebate.  This rebate is a fixed amount and is determined annually by council.  The State Government also provides for a rebate of 20% of the state urban fire levy.

In Council's 2010/2011 budget a remission of water access charges was granted. This rebate is a fixed charge and is determined annually by council.

Note that Toowoomba Regional Council is not part of South East Queensland water grid and no further State Government rebate applies.

Am I Eligible?

To be eligible for a remission on rates you must be the sole owner, joint owner, part owner or life tenant of the property which is your principle place of residence and have one of the following:

• A current Queensland Centrelink pensioner concession card; or
• A Deparment of Veterans' Affairs gold card; or
• Life tenancy of a property. Life tenancy can be created only by a valid will and is effective only after the death of the property owner or by a Supreme Family Court order.

Pensioners must lodge their application by the due date of the rates or water notice. Applications made after the due date will only be eligible for the concession from the next rating period.

Pensioners who already receive the remission need not reapply unless the following changes have occurred:

1. The ratepayer has recently sold and bought another property within Toowoomba Regional Council and previously received a remission on their former residence they will need to apply for a rate remission on their new residence.  Note: Council will not transfer pension details from a previous property to a new property as any application is property specific.
2. Change to pension entitlement.

To apply for the pension rebate the pensioner will need to present to the Customer Service Officer either their Pensioner Concession Card or a Deparment of Veterans' Affairs Gold Card. The concession card must indicate the address of the property for which the application is being made and the name that appears on their rate notice.

Example cards are illustrated below.