Pensioner Water Subsidy verification

To be eligible for a Pensioner Water Subsidy, you must have one of the below cards:

• Queensland Pensioner Concession Card (issued by Services Australia)
• Department of Veterans' Affairs Veteran Gold Card.

 The following cards are not eligible for a Pensioner Water Subsidy:

• Services Australia Health Care cards
• Veteran Affairs Health Care cards
• Seniors' cards.

If you're applying with multiple owners who are not your partners, you'll need to complete the online application form. On the form, you can list each owner's proportionate share. If you're the listed owner and solely responsible for paying the water rates at the property, you'll also need to provide a statutory declaration. This allows Unitywater to give you the full (100%) pensioner subsidy, instead of just a partial one.

If you've moved into alternate accommodation for care, such as a nursing home, your property may still be considered your principal place of residence, as long as you're still solely responsible for paying the rates and water bills, and you're not receiving rent from the property.

In cases of co-ownership, the State Government subsidy will only apply to your proportionate share of the water supply and usage charges. However, if the co-owners are you and your spouse or de facto partner, as recognised by Services Australia or Veterans’ Affairs, you’re eligible for the full (100%) subsidy.

To determine your share, we’ll refer to the ownership proportions listed on the Certificate of Title.

Note: If you're in a spousal or de facto relationship, including same-sex couples, you’re eligible for 100% of the pensioner concession.

You must also be:

• the owner or life tenant* of the property, which is your principal place of residence and located in the South East Queensland Water Grid area.
• legally** responsible for payment for the water charges on that property.

*A life tenant is: a) not the property owner, b) legally able to reside at the premises for the term of their life under the terms of a will, and c) responsible for payment of relevant charges applied to the property. If you are a life tenant, please provide a certified copy of the legal documents that provide evidence of your life tenancy when you make your Pensioner Water Subsidy application

**Residents living in shared communities are only eligible if charges levied on their property are issued directly to them. If their community (such as a body corporate) is legally responsible for the water charges, you may not be eligible under Queensland Government regulations.