Concession and hardship support
Talk to us about your situation. Apply for rates hardship assistance online, or phone us on 03 9209 6777.
Pensioner rebates
Pensioners can apply for 2 rebates to help reduce the amount you pay:
- Victorian Government Pension Rebate – up to 50% of your rates (to a maximum of $259.50).
- Port Phillip rebate – up to $220 or a maximum of 50% of rates payable when combined with the Victorian Government rebate.
You can apply for both 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.
Hardship support
If you are finding it hard to pay your rates, talk to us. We offer these support services:
- interest free payment plans
- deferrals
- waivers (in exceptional circumstances).
Apply for hardship support online or phone us on 03 9209 6777 for a confidential conversation.
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 2025.
Deferral of rates and charges
If you can’t enter into a payment plan, you can apply to defer paying the rates you owe until 30 June 2025, interest free.
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).