Rates
Receiving your rates
Rates notices are sent out by post, or residents may elect to receive their rates notice by email or electronically through BPAY View.
Council goes through a rigorous process to calculate council rates each year. To assist our community to understand this process we have developed some information outlining rates and how they are determined based upon projects and service provision outlined in the Annual Business Plan for the upcoming year.
Read more in the Rates and Annual Business Plan FAQ's 2019/20.
Have your rates notice delivered to any device or computer via email by following these simple steps:
- Scan the QR code printed on your rates notice or go to www.playford.formsport.com.au
- Register your details and the next rates notice will be delivered to your nominated email
You can also access past notices dating back to January 2015.
BPAY View sends rates and overdue notices straight to the same online bank that you use to pay them and provides notifications, reminders and secure online access, simply:
- Log into your internet or mobile banking
- Look for the BPAY View or View Bills section
- Register to receive your City of Playford rates notice
NB: Once registered, paper notices will no longer be issued.
To find out more about BPAY View visit their website.
Australia Post is the default mode for City of Playford's rates notice delivery. If you wish to continue to receive your notices in the mail, you don't need to do anything.
Paying your Rates
We want to make payments as easy as possible for you, which is why City of Playford offers a variety of payment methods so you can choose the best option for you.
Paying your rates by Direct Debit
An easy way to stay on top of your Council rates is by setting up an ongoing direct debit – you can simply set up your account online and pay your rates how you like, whether that is weekly, fortnightly, monthly or quarterly.
Register to set up direct debit payments by visiting Council's Online Services.
To set up a direct debit, you need to be registered for Council's Online Services
To register:
- Visit Council's Online Services at reportandpay.playford.sa.gov.au
- Select 'Register' and follow the steps to set up your account
NB: it may take up to 24 hours for your account to be activated.
Sign in to Online Services and proceed to set up your direct debit.
- From the Online Services home page, select 'Rates Enquiry & Direct Debits'
- On the Rates Summary result select your Ratepayer Name which is highlighted in blue, eg, Mr JD Citizen and Mrs AB Citizen
- Scroll to the bottom of the results screen and select the 'To set up direct debit' button
- You can then proceed to set up your Direct Debit
If you encounter any problems when setting up a direct debit, please call the Rates Team on 8256 0333.
Rates Due Dates
City of Playford has a quarterly system of rating. The due dates for 2019/20 are:
- Instalment 1 – 2 September, 2019
- Instalment 2 – 2 December, 2019
- Instalment 3 – 2 March, 2020
- Instalment 4 – 2 June, 2020
Having Difficulty Paying Rates?
The City of Playford is committed to assisting customers who are experiencing financial hardship to manage their bills on an ongoing basis and to make payments in a mutually acceptable manner, helping residents to clear their outstanding and ongoing rates' debt.
The rates team can also assist setting up a regular payment deduction by Centrepay and direct debit. We encourage residents to contact Council as soon as they become aware that they may be unable to meet their quarterly rates payment.
Are you experiencing Financial Hardship?
If you’re experiencing financial hardship you can speak with our rates team. We can set up an affordable payment schedule or refer you to a free accredited financial counsellor.
Contact the Rates Team on 8256 0333 or ratesassist@playford.sa.gov.au.
Hardship policy
This policy provides options for ratepayers seeking rates relief due to hardship or extenuating circumstances. Council may refer the ratepayer to an accredited financial counsellor or negotiate a flexible longer-term debt repayment arrangement. Section 182 of the Local Government Act 1999 advises Council can grant rates relief due to hardship or extenuating circumstances.
Rates Relief
Cost of Living Concessions
From July 2015, Council concessions were replaced with State Government cost of living concessions.
For information on concession eligibility, applications and payments contact the Department of Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI):
Website www.sa.gov.au/concessions
Email concessions@sa.gov.au
Concessions Hotline: 1800 307 758
Rate Rebates
It’s the City of Playford’s policy that a rebate of rates payable on some land is available to a person or organisational body when Council considers that requirements under the Local Government Act 1999 have been met.
Seniors Rates Postponement
Seniors Rates Postponement allows seniors to postpone payment of Council rates amounts over $500 per year for an indefinite period. This can assist eligible ratepayers who have a high level of equity in their home, but are on limited incomes.
Other Council Rates Information
Our Rating Policy is a strategy to make sure Council rates are charged across the Playford community along with the methods and timeframes for collection of rates.
The policy deals with specific issues such as:
- Method used to value land
- Structure of rates - how rates will be imposed across the community (general rates, differential rates, fixed charges, etc)
- Payment dates
- Late payment fees
- Options for rate relief
This policy does not set the amount of rate revenue to be collected, as that is determined by the annual City Plan and Budgeting process which is adopted in June each year.
Commercial Rate Strategy
In June 2014 the Council approved the commercial rating strategy, with 75% of new commercial rate revenue received from growth to fund rate reductions to all businesses over the next 13 years. This strategy is an integral part of a greater plan to encourage growth in business development and employment opportunities in the City of Playford.
For further information please view the Commercial Rate Strategy document on the link below.
Single Farm Enterprise
If your land use has been defined as primary production on two or more rate notices, you may be entitled to be considered as a single-farm enterprise.
