Concessions and rebates

There are several concession and rebate options available to residents within our Barossa Council area including the Cost of Living concession, Pensioner concession, and Rate rebates.

The State Government funds a range of concessions.  The concessions are administered by various State agencies that determine eligibility.  Concessions are available only at the principal place of residence.

The Cost of Living Concession replaced the council rate concession to help those on low or fixed incomes with all of their cost of living expenses, such as council rates, energy and medical bills.

If you are an eligible pensioner you may be entitled to a concession on Council rates.

Application forms, which include information on the concessions, are available from Council and Concessions SA.

Further information can be obtained by calling the Concessions SA Hotline on 1800 307 758 or if you have a hearing or speech impairment you can phone 8226 6789.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) administers Council rate concessions available to a range of eligible persons who receive State and Commonwealth allowances.

Application forms, which include information on the concessions, are available from Council and the Department of Human Services (DHS).

Further information can be obtained by calling the DHS Concessions Hotline on 1800 307 758 or if you have a hearing or speech impairment you can phone 8226 6789.

Ratepayers who believe they are entitled to a concession should not withhold payment of rates pending assessment of an application by the State Government, as penalties apply to overdue rates. A refund will be paid to an eligible person if Council is advised that a concession applies and the rates have already been paid.

Council are to rebate the rates payable land used for health services, community services, religious purposes, public cemeteries, the Royal Zoological Society and educational institutions.

The Council may, in its discretion, grant a rebate of rates or service charges.

If you meet the requirements, please apply using the rate rebate application form.

Council has determined to fix a maximum increase in General Rates (Residential (LG1) plus Fixed Charge) levied upon a property which constitutes the principal place of residence of a principal ratepayer at 15% over or 7.5% for Concession Card Holders and above the general rates levied for the 2020/2021 financial year, provided that:

• the property has been the principal place of residence of the principal ratepayer since at least 1 July 2020; and
• the property has not been subject to improvements with a value of more than $20,000 since 1 July 2020.

You can find eligibility criteria and apply using the Rate Capping application form or Rate Capping - Concession Card Holders application form.

If two or more pieces of rateable land within the area contribute a single farm enterprise, only one fixed charge may be imposed against the whole of the land.

Generally, if you are receiving two or more rate notices with land use shown as "Primary Production" you may be able to make an application to be assessed as a single farm enterprise to assess the fixed charge.

You can find eligibility criteria and apply using the Single Farm Enterprise form.