Tens of thousands of South Australian households will receive up to $426 off their annual water and sewerage bill through State Government concessions designed to help ease cost of living pressures – and people are being urged to see if they are eligible for the relief.
Currently, about 180,000 households receive up to $310.70 annually off their water rates.
About 150,000 households also receive a $115.90 sewerage concession, bringing total water and sewerage State Government concessions to more than $54 million in 2019-20.
Minister for Human Services Michelle Lensink urged low-and-fixed income South Australians to see if they were eligible for one – or both – concessions.
“The Liberal Government knows that every little bit helps and that is why we are committed to easing cost of living pressures for South Australians,” said Minister Lensink.
“Maintaining affordable water and sewerage rates is important to us, which is why we’ve invested more than $54 million in these annual concessions.
“We’re already well into summer, a time when water bills typically increase as South Australians try to keep cool and make sure their gardens stay alive during the heat.
“Our annual water concessions provide much needed relief to about 180,000 South Australian households each year.
“For homeowners, the concession is paid directly onto the customer’s water bill, so they receive a discount each quarter as their bill comes around, while tenants receive their concession in their bank account.
“We believe there could be many more people eligible for these concessions – I urge South Australians to visit the ConcessionsSA website or call hotline to learn what they might be eligible for.”
To be eligible for concessions, households must hold an eligible card or receive an eligible Centrelink payment, such as the parenting payment or Newstart allowance, or the LowIncome Health Care Card. Full eligibility criteria is available on the website.
For information about all State Government concessions, including water and sewerage, visit www.sa.gov.au/concessions or call the ConcessionsSA hotline on 1800 307 758.
