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our council

Payment Assistance and Hardship

our council

Payment Assistance and Hardship

If you are having difficulty paying your council rates and charges, we are here to help.
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There are many ways that we can assist you. If the payment options do not suit your needs or you have rates that are already overdue, please contact us for a confidential discussion and we can work out a way to best support you.

The earlier you contact us the better.

We are committed to providing support to our ratepayers who are finding it difficult to pay on time.

We will continue to participate in training to better understand the issues and provide necessary support and assistance. We will apply our learnings to improve the services offered and support our ratepayers to meet their payment requirements.

We can also refer you to a free financial counselling service provider who can help you assess your financial situation, as well as give you information and options about managing your debt and help you develop a plan to improve your situation.

Financial counsellors aren’t judgmental about your circumstances and are there to offer you free, confidential and independent advice.

Rates Roadshow

Come meet with our friendly rates team:

  • Benambra Neighbourhood House
    16 September, 11.30 am – 2.30 pm
  • Bendoc Mobile Library stop
    1 October, 10.30 am – 11.30 am
  • Buchan Mobile Library stop
    13 October, 10.30 am – 11.30 am
  • Cann River Community Centre
    23 September, 10.30 am – 12.00 pm
  • Gelantipy Mobile Library stop
    13 October, 9.00 am – 9.45 am
  • Lakes Entrance Service Centre
    6 October, 9.30 am – 3.30 pm
  • Mallacoota Service Centre
    23 September, 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm
  • Omeo Service Centre
    15 September, 10.00 am – 5.00 pm
    16 September, 9.00 am – 10.30 am
  • Orbost Service Centre
    30 September, 9.30 am – 5.00 pm

We are here to help. If you cannot attend one of these sessions, please know that support is still available. You can call our office during normal business hours on 03 5153 9500 to speak with one of our customer service staff or a member of the rates team.

For more information on our support options, please contact us.

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Flexible Payment Plans

If your rates are overdue, we can work with you to set up a payment plan.

Payment plans allow you to pay smaller amounts either weekly or fortnightly, and these payments can extend over multiple years.

Payment plans are easy to apply for - just call us.

If you are on a payment plan you will not be charged interest, and no legal action will be taken to recover your debt. You will have an extended time to pay without penalty.

You can manage your own repayments, or we can assist you to set up a regular deduction through Centrepay, or we can offer you a direct debit arrangement.

Please contact us for more information.

Hardship Assistance

During times of financial difficulty, mounting bills can feel incredibly overwhelming. We are here to help you get back on track and improve your financial situation.

If your rates are overdue and you cannot commit to a payment plan there are other forms of assistance that we may be able to offer you.

You may apply for a reduced payment plan, an extension of time before your rates are due to be paid, or a full or partial waiver of your rates and charges.

This type of support is offered to all ratepayers who are experiencing hardship or financial hardship.

You will need to complete a hardship application form to ensure you are eligible and to assist us to determine the best way to support you.

You can get an application form by calling or writing to us.

All applications are treated in strict confidence and only made available to officers involved in the processing of your application.

You may use the services of a financial counsellor to help you complete your application.

If you want more information on how we can help please contact us.

Support Services

There are many third-party support services that you may benefit from, these include:

Financial Support Services

Anglicare Bairnsdale                                    

Offers free and confidential financial information and counselling.

1800 286 260

Anglicare Victoria

VincentCare - Bairnsdale Financial Counselling & Capability 

Free support to help you assess your overall financial position 

Walk ins - 62 Macleod Street, Bairnsdale

(03) 5825 9400

Email: frp@vincentcare.org.au 

VincentCare

NEX Business Farming Wellness

Provides agricultural industries and small rural business with free, confidential, and independent planning and support services.

1300 045 747

NEX Business Farming Wellness

Latrobe Community Health

Provides free and confidential financial counselling sessions for members of the community impacted by gambling (either directly or indirectly).

1800 242 696

Latrobe Community Health Service Bairnsdale

Money Smart

Free calculators, tips and guidance to support people having problems paying their bills.

Money Smart website

National Debt Helpline

Free and confidential financial information and counselling.

1800 007 007

National Debt Helpline

Mob Strong Debt Helpline

Free nationwide legal advice and financial counselling service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

1800 808 488

Mob Strong Debt Help

Small Business Debt Helpline                    

Free, independent, and confidential financial counselling advice for small businesses.

1800 413 828

Small Business Debt Helpline

Other Support Services

1800 Respect

Free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week support to people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence.

1800 737 732

1800 Respect website

SafeSteps

24/7 specialist support services for anyone in Victoria who is experiencing or afraid of family violence.

1800 015 188

Safe Steps website

Mensline  

Free telephone and online counselling service offering support for Australian men anywhere, anytime.

1300 789 978

Mensline website

QLife

Anonymous and free support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.

1800 184 527

QLife website

InTouch

Provides services, programs, and responses to family violence in migrant and refugee communities.

1800 755 998

InTouch website

Lifeline

Providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.

13 11 44

Lifeline website

Beyond Blue

Provides mental health information and support to people to help all Australians to achieve their best possible mental health.

1300 224 636

Beyond Blue website

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