This submission from Seniors Rights Victoria and COTA Victoria will contribute to the finalisation of new guidelines on payment of rates and charges to local councils across Victoria.
These payments are a significant financial pressure for a large number of older Victorians, many of whom are cash-poor and struggle to pay household bills despite owning property.
A COTA Australia survey in late 2022 found that 19% of older Victorians had an overdue bill due to inability to pay, including 9% unable to pay council rates.
Property charges raise sensitive concerns for older people about the security of their longest held and biggest family asset, which is central to their ability to age well in place.
Older people face further challenges related to elder abuse – frequently involving financial issues relating to the family home – and other forms of financial abuse such as scams, which can leave them suddenly in considerable hardship despite having previously been in a reasonably good financial situation.
SRV’s submission focusses chiefly on ways in which the draft guidelines could be strengthened through stronger language, clearer definitions, and expectation of consistency across councils. We also address effective communications with older people, and the role councils should play in modelling best practice in payment processes.