Payment options
You can use the payment option that is most convenient for you to make your Council payments.
When making a payment, you will need to quote your reference number. Each type of account/property has its own unique reference number which is used to make sure your payment is allocated correctly.
- rates reference numbers start with a ‘5’ (top right-hand corner)
- water reference numbers start with a '6' (bottom right-hand corner)
- invoice reference numbers start with a '3' or '4' (bottom left-hand corner)
- payment advice reference numbers start with a '2' (top right-hand corner)
Our full range of payment options include:
Make regular weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments directly from a nominated bank account.
Register online, update your bank details, or cancel the direct debit service at any time.
Request or change a direct debit for your rates, debtor or water account.
There are two options you can choose from to pay with a credit card:
- Pay online
- Pay over the phone – call 1300 004 431 and
- Select option '1' to make a rate payment
- Select option '2' to make a water payment
- Select option '3' to make an invoice payment
- Select option '4' to make a payment advice payment
Please note: A 0.5% surcharge applies to credit card payments. Diners Club cards are not accepted.
BPAY® is an easy and secure way to manage your bills through your online or mobile banking. You can choose which account to pay bills from, and schedule payments on a date that works for you.
Check if your bank or financial institution offers BPAY on the BPAY website.
- Council's Biller Code for rates, invoices or payment advice payments is 4366
- Council's Biller Code for water payments is 858639
Payments using BPAY can be made either over the phone or online, and BPAY payments made using a credit card do not incur a surcharge.
Please note: Diners Club cards are not accepted.
Centrepay is a voluntary bill-paying service which is free for Centrelink customers. Use Centrepay to arrange regular deductions from your Centrelink payment.
You can learn more about Centrepay on the Services Australia website.
If you are a Centrelink customer and wish to use Centrepay to pay your rates or water account, you need to contact a Centrelink office during business hours to arrange this.
You will need your reference number to complete the form.
- The service provider’s Centrepay reference number for rates payments is 555-053-573 A
- The service provider’s Centrepay reference number for water payments is 555-071-469 B
Please note: Two separate deductions must be set up if paying both your rates and water account through Centrepay.
You can pay your account in person by cash, cheque, debit or credit card at the following locations:
Please note: A 0.5% surcharge applies to credit card payments. Diners Club cards are not accepted.
You can also make payments at any Australia Post outlet if you present your account or invoice with the barcode intact.
Check with your local Australia Post outlet to see what payment options are available, as they vary or may apply fees.
Find an Australia Post outlet
Post your cheque or money order to:
Shoalhaven City Council
PO Box 42
Nowra NSW 2541
Make sure to include the correct details to identify the bill being paid.
Contact us