Claim up to $260 a year on properties used by eligible organisations.
Key information
The rebate goes to the water account for the property. You can get up to $260 each year off the fixed water and sewerage service charge.
The property must be predominantly used for:
- Charitable organisations for charitable purposes
- non-for-profit organisations providing or promoting outdoor sporting, recreational, cultural or similar outdoor activities.
'Predominantly used' means, with the property owner's permission, the organisation uses the property to pursue its objectives by:
- using more than 50% of the property, and
- using the property for more than 50% of the time.
You do not need to reapply each year. Water authorities manage the rebate process, and we have final approval on eligibility.
Eligible organisations
You can claim the rebate if your organisation pays the water bill but does not own the property.
Charitable organisations and charitable not-for-profits
A charitable organisation’s sole purpose must be one of these:
- relieving poverty
- advancing education
- advancing religion
- other purposes benefitting the public such as youth or community services, animal welfare, hospital or aged care.
They must also:
- serve the community or a significant part of it
- have a constitution, rules or trust deed showing charitable objectives
- provide no private benefits to owners, officers or members
- reinvest profits into the organisation
- include a winding-up clause ensuring assets go to another eligible organisation, not to members.
Community-based not-for-profits
These organisations provide or promote outdoor sporting, recreational, cultural or similar activities. They must also:
- reinvest profits into their objectives
- provide no private benefits to members
- include a winding-up clause ensuring assets go to another eligible organisation.
Other eligible organisations
Other eligible organisations include:
- war veterans’ organisations
- public statutory bodies (for example, managing a park or public open space).
How to apply
Submit your application to your water authority before the end of the financial year in which the charges were billed. Your water authority reviews your application and forwards it to us for confirmation of eligibility. We notify you and the water authority about the outcome. If your application is approved, they will apply the rebate to the fixed service charge of your water account.
If you have any questions, please contact your water authority. You complete the application form on our website but send it to your water authority. Do not submit it to us.
Notify your water authority if the predominant use of the property changes. We do periodic checks to ensure you are still eligible.
