Rating Information

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 Where your rates go

Council provides many services and facilities to the community through rates payments. These services include:

  • community facilities and services 
  • parks and gardens
  • environment
  • roads and transport
  • economic initiatives

When are rates payable?

Council issues rates notices twice a year:

  • in February for the six-month period from 1 January to 30 June
  • in August for the six-month period from 1 July to 31 December.

Where applicable, Council offers a 10% discount off general rates and has a six week period in which to pay rates. It is very important that ratepayers do not risk their discounts by leaving payment until it is too late. If you are posting your rates payment, please ensure sufficient time to allow for potential postal delays.

Additional supplementary rate notices may also be issued to a new owner, or when there have been adjustments to the rates and charges levied in February or August.

Am I entitled to a pensioner discount?

For owner/resident pensioners, the State Government offers a 20% subsidy on gross rates up to a maximum of $200 per year.

If you are the holder of a current Queensland pensioner concession card issued by Centrelink or the Department of Veteran Affairs, or a Queensland Repatriation Health Card for all conditions (Gold Card) issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs, you may be able to receive this rebate on your rates. The property must be your principal place of residence.

To receive the pensioner subsidy, you must make an application to Council by presenting your Pensioner Concession Card and completing a ‘State Government Pensioner Rate Subsidy’ application form which is available at the Esk Administration Centre, or the Kilcoy or Lowood Customer Service Centres or by downloading the form below.

Download form

If you are currently receiving the subsidy on your rates, there is no need for you to reapply for future rate notices provided the regular checks performed by Council with Centrelink or the Department of Veterans' Affairs confirm ongoing eligibility. You must advise Council if your circumstances change.

Have you Moved Recently?

To ensure the prompt receipt of your rates notice and to avoid missing out on your discount, please keep Council informed about your current postal address. Contact Council on (07) 5424 4000 or mail@somerset.qld.gov.au

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