Did you know you might be eligible for rebates from the City of Onkaparinga to get cash back for things like native plants, cloth nappies and even your council rates?
The council offers rebates (essentially a deduction or discount) across several categories each year, but there are often eligibility requirements. Some rebates are first-come first-served until they run out, while others – such as discretionary rate rebates (applications close 31 March 2026) – have a firm deadline attached.
Check out the list below to see whether any might be suitable for you and click on the links for more information and eligibility requirements.
Sustainability rebates and subsidies
The City of Onkaparinga offers a range of sustainability rebates to help you reduce your environmental impact, with eligible applications assessed on a first-come, first-served basis until the funding pool is exhausted each year.
There are more than a dozen categories, with applications currently still open for rebates on cloth nappies and reusable sanitary products, and subsidised (cheaper) bin latches and home composting systems.
Other categories – which are already exhausted for 2025–26 – include rebates for switching from dark to light roof, insulation, rainwater tanks, EV charging, indigenous plants, switching from gas to electric appliances, energy assessments, double glazing, e-bike and cargo bikes, and initial significant/regulated tree assessments.
Keep an eye on the sustainability rebates and subsidies page from 1 July when applications are scheduled to reopen in 2026–27 – but be quick!
Rate rebates
Did you know some people and organisations may be eligible for rebates on their council rates? If you’re part of a community group or organisation that pays rates, you may be eligible for what’s called a discretionary rebate.
Council can choose to grant a discretionary rebates under the Local Government Act 1999 if the ratepayer falls under any of a number of categories, including if the land is being used for educational purposes, to provide accommodation for the aged or disabled, if the rebate will help with the preservation of significant history, or simply if the Council deems the organisation using the land to be providing a benefit or service to the local community.
Check the council’s Rate Rebate Policy for more information on eligibility and head to the rate rebates page to find the application form. Note that some organisations – such as those using land for hospitals or health centres, religious purposes, community services public cemeteries, schools and emergency accommodation – often already qualify for what’s called a mandatory rate rebate. These are mostly applied automatically.
The council also applies an automatic rate cap rebate to lessen the impact for residential owners subject to a significant increase in their property valuation (which is set by the Valuer-General or state government, not the council). The rate cap rebate means the valuation component of your rates increase won’t exceed more than 10 per cent on what you paid the previous year, but only if the increase in rates is not the result of:
- significant capital improvements on the property (regardless of when the development was undertaken)
- change in land use
- ·or a change in ownership since 1 July of the previous financial year.
If you still have questions about rebates and eligibility, contact the council’s Customer Relations team in the first instance on mail@onkaparinga.sa.gov.au or 8384 0666.