Financial Hardship Assistance

Rates relief options during times of financial hardship

Council recognises that some ratepayers may be experiencing serious financial hardship, particularly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to provide assistance, Council has adopted a Financial Hardship Assistance Policy.

Under this policy, Council can provide relief from rates payments to those suffering genuine and serious financial hardship.

Eligible applicants can:
• Enter into a rates payment plan
• Have rates payments postponed (deferred) to a future date
• Have outstanding rates payments exempt from interest charges
• Request a partial or full rates waiver (remission) (only when an application for postponement of rates payments has previously been approved - refer to paragraph 4.8 of the Financial Hardship Assistance Policy)

Applications are assessed in accordance with the criteria outlined in the Financial Hardship Assistance Policy


How to apply for Financial Hardship Assistance

Apply online
Use the form below to submit your application and electronically upload any supporting documents

By email
Click here to download a printable form. Scan completed form and copies of any supporting documents and email to mail@mvc.tas.gov.au

By mail
Click here to download a printable form. Mail the completed form and copies of any supporting documents to:
Attn: General Manager, PO Box 102, Westbury Tasmania 7303

Unable to print documents at home?
Please phone Council on 6393 5300 and arrangements can be made to have an application form mailed to you or available for collection at the Council office.

Need help applying?
If you require assistance or have questions about your application, please contact Council by phone on 6393 5300.


Financial Hardship Assistance Online Application Form

Your Details

If the property (business or residential) is owned by more than one person, please list all owners (first name and last name) who wish to apply for financial hardship assistance.

Property Details

Applications are not accepted for investment properties. The property must be your primary residence or, in the case of business owners, the primary operating premises.

What type of rates relief do you wish to apply for?

Rates Relief
Reasons for experiencing financial hardship (select all that apply):

Supporting Documentation

Council and its officers reserve the right to request further information in order to assess financial hardship. For more information about how hardship is assessed, refer to paragraph 4.2 of the Financial Hardship Assistance Policy. Please provide as much documentation as possible to support your application:

Details of Weekly Income

Details of Pension or Government Benefits

Details of Weekly Expenditure

The personal information that Council collects from you is deemed personal information for the purposes of the Personal Information Protection Act 2004 and is managed in accordance with Meander Valley Council’s Personal Information Protection Policy (Policy Number 67). Council will only collect, use and disclose personal information as required to perform its functions and activities, and as permitted or required by law, this includes (but is not limited to) disclosure for the purpose of law enforcement and in response to a serious threat to an individual's life, health, safety or welfare; or public health or public safety. Where necessary, additional personal information may be requested or required to support Council’s commitment to providing an effective service to its customer and stakeholders or to deliver a specific type of service. You may also make an application to access or to amend your personal information held by Council. If you wish to raise a concern or a complaint about the collection, handling or management of your personal information, Council’s Customer Service Charter is published on Council website and is available for inspection at Council’s customer service office. Please direct any enquiries regarding your personal information in writing to: General Manager, Meander Valley Council, PO Box 102, Westbury, TAS 7303. Complaints can also be lodged externally with the Tasmanian Ombudsman.