Pensioner subsidy & concession
Changes to Pensioner Concession Policy effective 1 July 2024
Council has announced changes to the Pensioner Concession Policy effective from 1 July 2024. Changes include:
- increasing the Council concession from $300 to a maximum of $320, and
- opening the eligibility criteria to co-ownership where not all owners are eligible pensioners (refer to Policy for details).
What does this mean for you?
- Are you currently receiving the State Rates Subsidy? If yes, no action is required by you. You will see the changes on your next rates notice.
- Are you currently receiving the Council Pensioner Concession? If yes, no action is required by you. Your eligibility remains the same.
- If you answered no to the above questions, please make an application following the details below.
Cairns Regional Council invites pensioner ratepayers who are NOT currently receiving a rate subsidy from the State Government to lodge an application for the rate subsidy at the Cairns Regional Council’s business offices.
Approved pensioners who are owner occupiers or life tenant by way of a valid Will and meet all other eligibility requirements, may be entitled to a 20% State Government subsidy on rates and charges levied by Council up to a maximum of $200 per annum.
Pensioners who qualify for the State subsidy are those who:
- hold a current Queensland ‘Pensioner Concession Card’ or a Queensland ‘Repatriation Health Card – For all Conditions’ (Gold Card) issued by Centrelink or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs; and
- are the OWNER/S OR LIFE TENANT (either solely or jointly) of the property within the boundaries of the Cairns Regional Council which is their principal place of residence.
Details of the State Government subsidy can be found at: https://www.qld.gov.au/community/cost-of-living-support/rates-subsidy
Pensioners deemed eligible for the State Government subsidy may also be entitled to the Council Pensioner Concession of $300 per annum.
Please refer to Council's Pension Concession Policy ( PDF, 0.22 MB ) for details. The Council Pensioner Concession will only apply if all owners meet the eligibility requirements.
Only new applicants or those whose circumstances have changed need apply. All applications for the Council Pensioner Concession must be in writing on the prescribed form ( PDF, 0.22 MB ) and can be lodged at any Council office.
The Council Pensioner Concession will commence from the date the application is submitted to Council and will not be applied retrospectively.
Please note when applying for the pensioner rate subsidy and/or concession, you must include a copy of the relevant pension card (front and back) for all applicants.
Last Updated: 19 June 2024
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