Support for rates payments

Find out about rates payment plans and postponements.


About rates payment plans

You may be able to get help paying your rates through a payment plan that we can organise with you.

Ways to pay your rates

Rates postponement policy

We have developed a new Rates Postponement Policy (PDF 190 KB) in response to the financial hardship being experienced by small business owners and residents during events including Covid-19. If you’re over 65 you can also apply regardless of your financial situation.

Before we can consider a formal rates postponement, we will ask you to fill out the Rates Postponement Form (PDF 153 MB) and provide some documentation. We aim to process this in 5-7 working days.

Rates postponement process (PDF 23 KB)

Rates rebates

You may be eligible for a rates rebate if:

  • You are the ratepayer for the property where you live and
  • You have lived there since 1 July 2022 and
  • Your total pre-tax income is low.

If you have a high income, you may still qualify for a rebate if you have dependants or high rates.

Use the rates rebate calculator to work out if you're eligible and what you might get. It could be up to $700.

When to apply for a rebate

As soon as you get your first rates invoice for the new rating year (2022/23) you can apply for a rebate. You can apply up until the end of the rating year, 30 June 2023.

The Rates Rebates Scheme is funded by Government, but you apply through the Department of Internal Affairs.

Rebate declaration form

Rates Rebate application

Pandemic support

The Government has two main options for supporting homeowners with their rates payments: The Accommodation Supplement and the Rates Rebate Scheme.

The Rates Rebates Scheme

Ministry of Social Development

Work and Income