Financial assistance options

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Assistance with financial difficulties

If you are experiencing financial difficulties with paying your rates and charges by the due date, please contact us to discuss options.

 

Rates Financial Hardship Policy

Council recognises there are people in the community who face financial hardship. Our Rates Financial Hardship Policy(PDF, 193KB) is aimed to support Darebin ratepayers facing genuine financial hardship.

Financial hardship is when a property owner is unable to pay their bills rather than being unwilling to meet them.

If you are experiencing financial hardship, please read the Rates Financial Hardship Policy(PDF, 193KB) and the Rates Financial Hardship Policy - Quick Reference Guide(PDF, 102KB).

Under this policy, assistance can only be granted to individuals experiencing financial hardship or financial stress for payment of rates on their principal place of residence by completing theRates Financial Hardship Application Form.

If you would like to speak to us prior to making your application, please call us on 03 8470 8880.

Pensioner rate rebate

You may be eligible for a rebate if you are a Victorian resident and hold one of the following:

  • A current Pensioner Concession Card (issued by Centrelink or the Department of Veterans' Affairs).

  • A Veterans' Affairs Gold Card with a war widow, TPI (Totally and Permanently Incapacitated), EDA (Extreme Disablement Adjustment) or POW (Prisoner of War) classification.

The property on your rate notice must be your principal place of residence.

Types of Rebates

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you may receive:

  • A rebate from the State Government on your council rates - 2025/26 is a maximum of $266.00.

  • A rebate off your Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund - 2025/26 is $50.00.

  • A Council Concession which is automatically applied to your rates if you are an eligible pensioner as of July 1st of each year. For verified applications received later in the rating year, the concession will be applied in the next rating year.

Applying in person

Application forms are available at any Customer Service Centre.

  • Simply bring your pension card and fill out the form in person.

Applying by mail

  1. Download the application form from the State Government's Municipal rates concessions page
  2. Add a photocopy of both the front and back of your pension card
  3. Mail the completed form and the photocopy to: Darebin City Council, PO Box 91, Preston 3072

Apply for land to be made non rateable

It's quick and easy to apply online:

Note: 'land' includes the buildings and/or structures on the land.

Apply for land to be made non rateable

More information

Customer Service
Phone: 03 8470 8888
Email: revenue@darebin.vic.gov.au

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