[Janelle Ward]

Australians want local government councils to provide more payment options to help them manage their finances amid cost-of-living pressures, according to Government News.

New research from American Express shows that one in four Aussies are frustrated with the limited payment methods for settling council expenses.

Some councils do not offer all types of card payments with options limited to debit, phone or in-person payments.

Almost one in two homeowners (45 per cent) believe the process would be easier if councils provided more payment options, while 71 per cent say they’re feeling stressed about household bill payments – including council bills – and have had to change how they pay them. Over a third (39 per cent) said that being offered benefits, such as credit card reward points, would improve the process.

The research revealed that 14 per cent say they would never pay a council bill late, that one- third pay their council rates early and 60 per cent wait until the due date.

Do you want more flexible ways to pay your rates? What would help?

[les.61]

My council allows BPAY, Direct Debit, Payment at Bank ie over the counter, Telephone using debit/credit card, Mail and at the council office itself. Whilst the card rewards points might sound good, you need to be on top paying credit card in full otherwise you get charged interest at a very high rate and get further behind. If struggling and want to pay monthly you should be able to set up PBAY payments each month from your financial institutions (not credit card) and then just make up the shortfall when the rate notice comes out.

Having worked in financial institutions most of my working life a word of advice, if struggling with bills, repayments, etc; talk to the institution that you owe ie the council or bank and they may be able to work out a solution. The last thing they want is you to do nothing and ignore it as it will not go away. Communication is the key!

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