Learn if you’re eligible for Council rates discounts, relief, concessions and exemptions. About rates relief, discounts and concessions You may be eligible for a saving or exemption on your Council rates. These include: early rates payment discounts exemptions from paying certain rates and fees rebates for pensioners relief for financial hardship rebates for not-for-profit organisations rebates for bushland preservation agreements. Early payment discount You could be eligible for an early rates payment discount of up to $60 per year. To be eligible for this discount, you must: pay your rates by the due date pay rates for properties in Categories 1 and 10 For more information, read the Resolution of Rates and Charges in Council's Annual Plan and Budget . If you don’t pay your rates within 30 days of the issue date, you’ll be charged interest. You're eligible for rate capping if you're the owner-occupier of a residential property (Category 1, 1ga, 10, 10aa-10ad, 10ba-10bi, 10ca-10ci and 10ga). This caps any increase on your general rates to a maximum of 7.5% (based on the previous year's net general rates). If the general rate increase is higher, Council will credit you the amount over the cap. You will always be required to pay the minimum rates for a category. You don't need to apply for rate capping. It’s automatically applied once your owner-occupier status is recorded. The following conditions also apply: The owner of the land must live permanently on the land. The owner of the land must live permanently on the land. The concession does not apply to any land held in the name of a trust or company. The concession does not apply to any land held in the name of a trust or company. To learn more about rate capping, read the full rates summary in Council's Annual Plan and Budget . Occupied Multiple Dwelling If your property consists of no more than two self-contained dwellings on a single rate account, and is occupied entirely by a single family, you may be eligible to apply for a reduction in rates, either as an Owner Occupied Multi-Residence or Family Occupied Secondary Dwelling. You can apply if you meet all the following criteria: the property is privately owned (not held by a company or trust) there are no more than two single-unit dwellings on the property one dwelling is the principal place of residence of the owner the second dwelling must be a lawful use of the property, confirmation of approval for two dwellings will be obtained (properties found to be unlawful may be subject to compliance rectification and will not be eligible for Owner Occupied Multi Residence) the second dwelling is occupied by a family member of the owner there is no residential tenancy agreement between the owner and the family member occupying the second dwelling. You can apply if you meet all the following criteria: the gross floor area of the secondary dwelling does not exceed 80m² there are no more than two single-unit dwellings on the property the secondary dwelling is used as one of the following: for the care and shelter of an aged or infirm family member of the owner or occupier is used only by the owner or an occupier (second dwelling cannot be rented under a separate tenancy agreement from the main dwelling or for paid guest accommodation) the property is tenanted under a single residential tenancy agreement. for the care and shelter of an aged or infirm family member of the owner or occupier is used only by the owner or an occupier (second dwelling cannot be rented under a separate tenancy agreement from the main dwelling or for paid guest accommodation) the property is tenanted under a single residential tenancy agreement. Who can't apply You are not eligible to apply if: if any part of the Property is used for paid guest accommodation or transitory accommodation if the second dwelling is greater than 80sqm and it is not a lawful use of the property if there are more than two dwellings. You can apply online via the online form. Alternatively you can apply by downloading a hardcopy form. PDF • 125 KB • Last modified Sep 2010 Submit the completed form: by mail to: Brisbane City Council GPO Box 1434 Brisbane Qld 4001. Rates exemptions Council offers certain rates and fee exemptions to eligible ratepayers. These include exemptions from: the Rate Account and Establishment Fee – this is the one-off fee of $337.10 including GST that’s charged to establish a new rate account when a property transfers ownership general rates – these are the rates you’re billed for every quarter. Rate Account and Establishment Fee exemption You may be exempt from paying the one-off $337.10 Rate Account and Establishment Fee if you meet certain criteria. You can apply for an exemption if: it is your first home in Australia and at least one owner is living in it as their main place of residence All of the following criteria must be met: all owners of the property must not currently own another property in Australia all owners of the property must have not previously owned a property in Australia all owners must be registered as the owner/s of the property with Titles Queensland at least one registered owner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident the purchase price (including house and land) must be no more than $850,000; OR change of name on title as a result of a marriage transfer to, or inclusion of a spouse/de facto/partner on their main place of residence as a result of an amalgamation or separation of assets related to marriage or divorce transmission to surviving joint tenant/s on death of another joint tenant/s transfer where transfer price is equal to or less than $1 transfer as a result of a gift or through natural love and affection transfer by consent/direction of a Court pursuant to a Will or Intestacy. Who can't apply You’re not eligible for this exemption if you’ve purchased: vacant land, unless you build and occupy a home on the land within 24 months (applications must be made once the home is occupied) in the name of a trust in the name of a company. Apply for the exemption You can apply for an exemption online by using our Rate account rebate application form. Alternatively you can apply for an exemption by downloading a hardcopy form. PDF • 61 KB • Last modified June 2025 You can submit the completed form: by mail to: Brisbane City Council GPO Box 1434 Brisbane Qld 4001. General rates exemption Certain properties may be exempt from paying general rates. These include properties used for the following purposes: public (e.g. recreational or sporting activities) religious (e.g. a church) charitable (e.g. free temporary emergency accommodation) educational (e.g. a school). Apply for the exemption To apply for a general rates exemption for one of these properties, you must: write a letter on the relevant organisation’s letterhead have the letter signed by an authorised signatory (e.g. a property owner or director) include the: contact name and number address of the property rate account number type of organisation and what the property will be used for (e.g. public, religious, charitable or educational purposes). contact name and number address of the property rate account number type of organisation and what the property will be used for (e.g. public, religious, charitable or educational purposes). To submit your application, you can: visit a Council Customer Centre mail it to: Brisbane City Council GPO Box 1434 Brisbane Qld 4001. Rates rebates are available for certain ratepayers, including: not-for-profit organisations, kindergartens and affordable housing providers land covered by bushland preservation agreements . Council rebate for pensioners There are two types of Council rebates available to pensioners: maximum and partial rebate. The maximum rebate is available to people on a full pension. Under this scheme, Council grants a 40% rebate on rates up to a maximum of $337.50 per quarter ($1350 per year). You may be eligible for this rebate if you receive the: Disability Support Pension Parenting Payment Single Service Pension War Widow/Widower pensions with full Income Support Supplement. A partial rebate is available to people on: an allowance/benefit a part pension. Under this scheme, Council grants a 20% rebate on rates up to a maximum of $168.75 per quarter ($675 per year). You may be eligible for this rebate if you receive a: government allowance/benefit War Widow/War Widower pension with less than full or no Income Support Supplement Disability/TPI/EDA pension. You may also be eligible if: you hold a Queensland Veterans' Affairs Repatriation Health Card for all conditions (Gold Card) but receive no payment. To be eligible for the maximum or partial pensioner rebate, you must: own and live on the property permanently meet the conditions of the respective rebates be a life tenant, resident of a retirement village or beneficiary of a special disability trust. have one of the following: a current Centrelink Queensland Pensioner Concession Card a Queensland issued Veterans' Affairs Gold Card a Queensland issued Veterans' Affairs Pensioner Concession Card. a current Centrelink Queensland Pensioner Concession Card a Queensland issued Veterans' Affairs Gold Card a Queensland issued Veterans' Affairs Pensioner Concession Card. Rebates can only be granted on one property per quarter. Apply for the rebate If you receive a pension/allowance, you’ll need to provide: your Queensland Pensioner Concession Card or Gold Card proof of pension/allowance. If you’re applying for a maximum or partial rebate, you'll need to provide: your Queensland Pensioner Concession Card or Queensland Veteran Card for All Conditions (Gold Card) a copy of your rates notice (if possible) proof of pension (concession eligibility letter from Centrelink Queensland or Department of Veterans' Affairs). To apply for a pensioner rebate on Council rates: phone Council on 07 3403 8888 visit a Council Customer Centre visit your local ward office . If you are a life tenant, resident of a retirement village or beneficiary of a special disability trust, you can only apply at a customer centre or ward office. Application deadlines Pensioner rebate applications should be received by Council by the following dates to ensure it starts at the next rates period:

If your pension changes, you must notify Council. Queensland Government subsidy for pensioners For eligible pensioners, the State Government grants a 20% rebate on rates accounts. This is up to a maximum of $50 per quarter ($200 per year) plus 20% of the fire levy. The State Government subsidy can be used with Council's pensioner rebates. This means an eligible person could receive a maximum or part rebate from Council, in addition to 20% from the state. To be eligible for this subsidy, you must hold a current Centrelink Queensland Pensioner Concession Card (PCC). If you hold a PCC only, you are only entitled to the State Government subsidy. The State Government subsidy does not apply to tenants of retirement villages or caravan parks that are part of Council’s pension rebate scheme. Apply for the subsidy To apply for the Queensland Government subsidy, you can: phone Council on 07 3403 8888 visit a Council Customer Centre find a ward office . If you are a life tenant, resident of a retirement village or beneficiary of a special disability trust, you can only apply at a customer centre or ward office. Additional information If the property is under joint names, all applicants who receive a pension must provide the relevant information. For example, two owners on a pension must both produce pension cards and proof of payment. Where one owner receives a pension and another is listed as their partner on their Pensioner Card, they may be entitled to an additional rebate. If a joint owner dies, the remaining owner must reapply for the discount and provide a death certificate. Life tenancy or special disability trust Life tenants need to provide: a certified copy of the will, stating the applicant is a life tenant and responsible for paying the rates, or a court order (e.g. Supreme or Family court and death certificate) a Queensland Pensioner Concession Card or Queensland Veteran Card for All Conditions (Gold Card) a copy of the rates notice (if possible) proof of pension received (concession eligibility letter from Centrelink and/or Department of Veterans' Affairs with the relevant pension card). If life tenancy is for more than one person, all applicants must supply the required information. For example, if two owners are both on a pension, each owner must produce a pension card and proof of pension payment. If a person doesn’t receive a pension/allowance, then a copy of their Queensland Pensioner Concession Card is all that’s required. Beneficiaries of a special disability trust need to provide: a copy of the trust deeds showing the beneficiary of the trust a Queensland Pensioner Concession Card or Queensland Veteran Card for All Conditions (Gold Card) copy of rates notice (if possible) proof of pension received (concession eligibility letter from Centrelink and/or Department of Veterans’ Affairs). Retirement living and relocatable home parks You can apply for a maximum or partial rebate if you’re a tenant of a: retirement facility relocatable home park. These facilities must have agreed to pass on rebates to eligible tenants. You’ll need to provide: a Queensland Pensioner Concession Card or Queensland Veteran Card for All Conditions (Gold) proof of pension received (concession eligibility letter from Centrelink Queensland or Department of Veterans' Affairs). Important things to know When applying, make sure you record your unit or site number in the village or caravan park. Tenants of retirement facilities or relocatable home parks aren’t entitled to the Queensland Government subsidy. Overdue rate accounts If a pensioner's rate account goes into arrears by $30 or more, Council will remove its rebate. When the outstanding amount is paid in full, the reduction will be automatically reinstated from the following quarter. If the outstanding amount can't be paid, the rebate can be reinstated if a payment plan is agreed to. The State Government component of the reduction will continue even if the rate account is in arrears. Read about the Payment of Overdue Rates and Charges Policy for pensioners. PDF • 236 KB • Last modified June 2026 Important to know This only applies to customers who hold a Queensland Pensioner Concession Card and/or Queensland Veteran Card for All Conditions (Gold Card) and receive a payment from their pension provider. Read more information about Council’s pensioner rebate policy. PDF • 751 KB • Last modified June 2026 Need help with understanding or applying for a pensioner's rebate? If you need help with understanding the criteria or the application process, contact Council. Not-for-profit rebates Council offers a 50% rebate on general rates for certain not-for-profit organisations. They must provide or support the residents of Brisbane through: essential welfare community services. Council offers a partial rebate of 20% on general rates for not-for-profit organisations that provide affordable housing in the Brisbane local government area. We also offer a 100% rebate on most rates and charges to eligible not-for-profit kindergartens. Related information Rebate scheme application forms Partial Rate Rebate Scheme Application – Community or Welfare Organisations PDF • 144 KB • Last modified 29 June 2023 Partial Rate Rebate Scheme Application – Affordable Housing Providers PDF • 112 KB • Last modified 3 July 2023 Partial Rate Rebate Scheme Application – Kindergartens PDF • 106 KB • Last modified 30 June 2023 Rates and charges Partial Rebate of General Rates – Not-for-profit Organisations PDF • 250 KB • Last modified June 2026 Partial Rebate of Rates and Charges – Not-for-profit Kindergartens PDF • 243 KB • Last modified June 2026 Partial Rebate of Rates and Charges – Affordable Housing PDF • 242 KB • Last modified June 2026 You can read the Resolution of Rates and Charges in Council's Annual Plan and Budget . Bushland Preservation Rebate You’re eligible for the Bushland Preservation Rebate if your land is covered by the: Voluntary Conservation Agreement Land for Wildlife Agreement. This rebate is automatically applied to eligible rate accounts. Land covered by these agreements is exempt from Council’s Bushland Preservation Levy. Important things to know Before your land can be covered by an agreement, you’ll need: a formal consultation process an independent assessment. For more information, phone Council on 07 3403 8888 . Relief for financial hardship If you’re experiencing financial hardship, you may be eligible for assistance from the Independent Rates Relief Tribunal. The tribunal has been set up to help people who are having difficulty meeting basic living expenses due to: long-term unemployment death of a partner other unforeseen circumstances. You’re not eligible for this rates relief if you’re a property owner who: doesn’t reside at the property you’re applying for rates relief for has the property you’re applying for rates relief for listed for sale receives a pensioner rebate owns more than one property is applying for this hardship for a property that: is a commercial or industrial property has multiple dwellings is vacant land. is a commercial or industrial property has multiple dwellings is vacant land. Supporting documents All owners of the property will need to provide supporting documentation. This includes: proof of income, such as: payslips last 3 months’ financial institution statements dividends Centrelink payments superannuation last 3 months’ financial institution statements Centrelink payments mortgage statements last 2 Notices of Assessment other supporting documents, such as: medical information financial statements. medical information financial statements. Apply for assistance Before you begin your hardship application, you can discuss your circumstances with us by phoning Council on 07 3403 8888 . To apply for assistance, you can: complete the Application for Assistance form PDF • 219 KB • Last modified 24 September 2024 submit the completed form by: email mail to: IRRT GPO Box 1434 Brisbane Qld 4001. mail to: IRRT GPO Box 1434 Brisbane Qld 4001. Once you submit your application, we’ll contact you within 7 working days. Lodging an application doesn’t automatically exempt you from paying rates. We’ll work with you to reach a suitable outcome. You can pay your rates by instalments. This spreads your repayments over time and can help to reduce debt. Learn more about paying your rates by instalments. Frequently asked questions How can I get cheaper rates? Pay your rates account by the due date to receive up to $60 off your bill each year (if eligible). Learn more about the early payment discount . Alternatively, you can check if you’re eligible for any other rebates, relief or exemptions . I’m a pensioner and receive the Queensland Government Subsidy. Am I also eligible for a Council rates rebate? You are eligible to receive the Queensland Government Subsidy and a Council rates rebate if you meet the relevant criteria for both payments. Do I lose my pensioner rebate if I fall behind with my rates payments? If your rates account is in arrears by $30 or more, Council will remove any pensioner rebates. When the amount owing is paid, any rebates will be reinstated from the following quarter. Your rebate will also be reinstated if you agree to a payment plan within a reasonable amount of time. If repayments aren’t consistently made, any pensioner rebates will be removed for the next rate account period. This only applies to customers who: hold a Pensioner Concession Card and/or Veteran Card for All Conditions (Gold Card) receive a payment from their pension provider. If you receive the Queensland Government subsidy, this subsidy will continue even if your account is in arrears. Read about the Payment of Overdue Rates and Charges Policy for pensioners. PDF • 236 KB • Last modified June 2026 For more information about pensioner rebates: phone Council on 07 3403 8888 visit a Council Customer Centre contact a ward office read the Pensioners Partial Rebate of Rates and Charges Policy Annual plan and budget The Annual Plan and Budget outlines Council’s goals for Brisbane’s future and how we’ll achieve them. Annual plan and budget Bills, renewals and other payments Pay your bills, including permits, renewals and registrations, quickly and securely online. Bills, renewals and other payments How rates are calculated Learn how Council calculates your rates, what other charges or levies may apply to you and how to lodge an objection. How rates are calculated