Rates Payments

On 30 June 2009 council adopted its second budget covering the 2009/2010 financial year.

For most residential properties, rates and charges have been standardised across the new region, however some rates and charges are specific to certain areas. A full listing of rates and charges is available in council's Revenue Statement [PDF 229KB] .

Find out how the general rate is calculated.

Methods of payment

Online

Pay online using POST Billpay. Applies to all the rate notices in the Sunshine Coast region. You will need your Billpay code, reference number and the amount payable.

Noosa area only -can also make payment online.

Mastercard and Visa are accepted.

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Credit Card by Phone	Phone 131 816 and follow the prompts. You will need the Billpay code and your reference number. Please refer to your rates notice under 'Payment Options'. Mastercard and Visa are accepted.
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BPay	BPAY is a national bill payment service that allows customers to pay bills to billers via telephone banking or online. Call or log on to your participating financial institution to make a payment from your nominated debit card/or credit card account. Please quote the BPay details shown on your rates notice payment slip. You will need the Biller Code and the Payment Reference (Ref.).
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Direct Debit	Direct debit is an authorisation which you give to the Sunshine Coast Regional Council to take money from your bank account at certain times to pay money off your overdue rates; or Prepay your rates; or pay rates in full by the due date. Complete the direct debit authority form relevant to your area and post or drop off to council's customer service centre. Direct debit authority form – Caloundra area [PDF 59KB] Direct debit cancellation form - Caloundra area [PDF 36KB] Direct debit authority form – Maroochy area [PDF 60KB] Cancellation form not required for Maroochy area Direct debit authority form – Noosa area [PDF 71KB] Direct debit cancellation form - Noosa area [PDF 24KB]
Mail	Send your cheque or money order with the tear-off section of your renewal notice to council's customer service centre. Please make cheque/money order payable to Sunshine Coast Regional Council.

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Council Offices	Present your rates notice payment slip at any of council's customer service centres between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday. Payments may be made by cash, cheque, debit or credit card.
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Overseas Payments	You can make payment from overseas by credit card over the phone. Phone +612 9245 0821 and follow the prompts. Please use the customer reference number located on your rates notice. Or you can forward your payment by way of bank draft for the required amount in Australian dollars.
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Payment Difficulties	If you are experiencing financial difficulties and cannot pay your notice in full by the due date, please telephone council's customer service centre to avoid recovery action. You may be able to pay your rates by instalments (conditions apply).

How to pay rates in instalments

Council offers rate payers the option to pay your rates account by instalments. A discount is not available if you choose to pay your rates by instalments. To apply for a payment arrangement please complete the payment arrangement application form relevant to your area and post/drop off to one of council's customer service centres.

Payment arrangement application – Caloundra area
Payment arrangement application [PDF 44KB] – Maroochy area
Payment arrangement application [PDF 55KB] – Noosa area

You may also use the direct debit facility to pay your rates by instalments.

Rates payment discount

For the 2009/2010 financial year the prompt payment discount is 10% of general rates and waste management charges (garbage charges), to a maximum of $200 per annum, or $100 for each half year. In the case of approved pensioners the half yearly discount offered is 10% of general rates and waste management charges with no maximum.

Pensioner rate rebates

Council introduced a new standard pensioner remission policy for the region. In recognition of the fact that there were significant differences in the three former remission policies, Council also decided to enact a grandfather clause (i.e. to not disadvantage any pensioner who was receiving a Council pensioner remission as at 30 June 2009), by allowing them to retain their 2008-2009 level of remission (if that amount is greater than the new standard remission, or if they do not qualify for the new standard remission).

For new applicants the Council pensioner rate rebate can only be granted on the principal place of residence, to the holder of a Queensland Pension Concession Card or a Veteran Affairs Gold Card who is receiving the maximum rate of pension. (NB Senior Card holders are not eligible) Applicants must also have owned property within the region for the preceding three years or at least five out of the last ten years. Applicants who do not qualify for the Council rebate may qualify for the State Government rebate.

Download the pensioner rebate form [PDF 54KB].

See information about the 2008-09 pensioner remissions for:

Caloundra area [PDF 198KB]
Maroochy area [PDF 198KB]
Noosa area [PDF 198KB]