Rates & water pensioner concessions

If you are a pensioner, you may be eligible for:

  • Queensland Government rates subsidy
  • Queensland Government water subsidy
  • Council rate remission.

Subsidy amounts

For details about Queensland Government subsidies, including eligibility requirements, subsidy percentages and amounts, visit the Property concessions page.

Queensland Government subsidy

To be eligible for a Queensland Government subsidy you must:

  • own and occupy the property
  • hold either a Queensland Pensioner Concession Card or a Queensland Gold Veterans' Affairs Card.

Council rate remission

You may be eligible for our rate remission without receiving a Queensland Government subsidy.

To be eligible for our pensioner rate remission you must:

  • hold a Queensland Pensioner Concession Card or a Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) Repatriation Health Card for all conditions (Gold Card)
  • receive at least 80% of the full pension for your pension type
  • own and occupy the property, or occupy a lot as your permanent residence under a Long Residence Arrangement, that is:
    • a lease, licence or other occupancy entitlement for a term of 90+ years (including, for clarity, a lifetime lease or licence); or
    • a share in a company title scheme.

If there are 2 married/partnered pensioners on an account, their eligibility for Council rate remission is assessed using their combined pension amounts.

Let us know if your circumstances change

If you are currently receiving a pensioner concession and/or rate remission on your rates and water, you do not need to re-apply unless there has been a change in your circumstances.

For example, a new application would be required if you have changed from a Centrelink customer to Veterans' Affairs customer or you have moved to a new address.

For further information and assistance, contact us.

How to apply

Online

Step 1.Gather your documents

To apply for pensioner rate concessions, you need to provide:

  • your contact details – including your residential address, postal address and phone number
  • Pension Concession Card or Queensland Gold Veterans' Affairs Card

Note: if you hold a Veterans' Affairs Gold Card (for all conditions), proof of your pension amount is not required.

Step 2.Complete and submit our online form

Apply for pensioner rate concessions

Please allow up to 30 days for the pension application to be processed.

By phone

Step 1.Gather your documents

To apply for pensioner rate concessions, you need to provide:

  • your contact details – including your residential address, postal address and phone number
  • Pension Concession Card or Queensland Gold Veterans' Affairs Card number

Note: if you hold a Veterans' Affairs Gold Card (for all conditions), proof of your pension amount is not required.

Step 2.Submit your application by phone

Call 07 5667 5995 or 1300 366 659 between 7am and 6pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Gold Coast public holidays).

In person

Step 1.Gather your documents

To apply for pensioner rate concessions, you need to provide:

  • your contact details – including your residential address, postal address and phone number
  • Pension Concession Card or Queensland Gold Veterans' Affairs Card

Note: if you hold a Veterans' Affairs Gold Card (for all conditions), proof of your pension amount is not required.

Step 2.Complete the application form

Download, print and complete the form:

Pensioner rate concessions application(PDF, 176KB)

Step 3.Visit one of our customer service centres

Submit your application at one of our customer service centres (Monday to Friday between 8.15am and 4.30pm).

By mail

Step 1.Gather your documents

To apply for pensioner rate concessions, you need to provide:

  • your contact details – including your residential address, postal address and phone number
  • Pension Concession Card or Queensland Gold Veterans' Affairs Card

Note: if you hold a Veterans' Affairs Gold Card (for all conditions), proof of your pension amount is not required.

Step 2.Complete the application form

Download, print and complete the form:

Pensioner rate concessions application(PDF, 176KB)

Step 3.Send us your completed application form

Post to:

City of Gold Coast
PO Box 5042
GCMC QLD 9726

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