Safety and Security Rebate

As a WA Seniors Card holder, you can claim a rebate of up to $200 per household towards buying and/or installing eligible home security devices whether you own or rent your home.   A further $200 per household is available for the purchase and installation of electrical and fire safety items.

Eligible products

The scheme started on 1 July 2009 (Any items bought and installed before 1 July 2009 are not eligible for the rebate).

Installation must be carried out by the owner or employee of a registered business (with an Australian Business Number) operating in the installation of home security products (for items purchased under the category of Home Security)

Installation of mains powered smoke alarms and residual current devices must be undertaken by a licensed electrician and it must be the principal residence of the Seniors Card holder making the claim.

For each category, claims are limited to $200, one per Seniors Card Holder, one per household.

How to claim a rebate

1.        Buy and/or install the eligible products in your home.

2.        Complete a Safety and Security Rebate claim form. There is a check-list on the back to help you. Claim forms are also available at any Australia Post outlet.

3.        Attach copies of all dated receipts showing proof of purchase and/or installation.  Since this is a one-off rebate per category, if you claim less than $200 in either the Home Security or Electrical and Fire Safety categories you cannot make another claim. If you want to claim the full $200 for each category, you may wish to purchase items gradually and save all receipts until you can claim the maximum rebate.

4.        Make sure the Seniors Card Centre has your current and correct bank account details to make payment to you. Please refer to the check-list for more details.

5.        Use the reply paid address at the bottom of the check-list to mail your claim form, or you can drop it in to the WA Seniors Card Centre, Level 2, 140 William Street Perth 6000 (Above Perth Underground Railway Station, entry from Murray Street Mall).

Frequently asked questions

Items you can claim

1. What can I claim a rebate on?
You can claim up to $200 on home security products.  This includes buying and installing a home alarm system (maximum rebate of $200), security screen door (maximum rebate of $200), security window screen (maximum rebate of $100 per screen), security sensor light (maximum rebate of $100 per light) and door deadlock (maximum rebate of $100 per deadlock).

A further $200 can be claimed on electrical and fire safety products.  This includes buying and installing a residual current device (maximum rebate of $200), mains powered smoke alarm (maximum rebate of $100 per alarm), fire extinguisher (maximum rebate of $60 per extinguisher) and fire blanket (maximum rebate of $20 per blanket)

Where to get a claim form

2. Where can I get a claim form?

• Download a Seniors Safety and Security Rebate claim form
• pick up a claim form from any Australia Post outlet,
• call the Seniors Card Hotline Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm on 6551 8800 (metro) or 1800 671 233 (country callers only) or
• call in to the WA Seniors Card Centre, Level 2, 140 William Street Perth 6000 (Above Perth Underground Railway Station, entry from Murray Street Mall).

Time limits

3. I bought a security screen door in June 2009 and had it installed in July 2009. Can I claim the rebate for it?
You cannot claim for the purchase of the screen door because you bought it before 1 July 2009. You can, however, claim for the installation of the door as you had that done after 1 July 2009.

4. How long do I have to make a claim?
The scheme has been extended and further announcements will be included in the 2012 State Budget.

Buying and installing security devices

5. Can I claim just for the purchase of a device?
Yes. You may install deadlocks, doors or window screens yourself or ask a relative or friend to do it. Licensed operators are needed to install alarms and lights if they are connected to the main house wiring.

6. I bought a deadlock for $26. Can I still claim the $50 rebate?
The minimum purchase price for an item under the home security category is $50.

7. My son is going to install my deadlock. Can I claim for installation?
No. You can only claim for an installation carried out by the owner or employee of a registered business (with an Australian Business Number) operating in the installation of home security products.

Buying and installing electrical and fire safety items

8. Can I claim just for the purchase of a device?

No, for both the residual current device and mains powered smoke alarm.  These items must be installed by a licensed electrician.  Therefore the rebate includes the purchase and installation of these devices.

Yes, for both the fire extinguisher and fire blanket.  However, please note, no rebate can be claimed for installation of these items.

9. I have a severe hearing impairment, which means I cannot hear a smoke alarm when it is triggered.  Can I purchase a specialised smoke alarm specifically designed for people that are deaf or have a hearing impairment?

Yes, these types of alarms are eligible for the rebate.

Eligible residences

10. Can I claim the rebate for a security screen on our holiday house?
No. You can only claim the rebate for a security device installed at your principal place of residence, as registered on the Seniors Card database.

11. Can I claim the rebate for the installation of a residual current device and/or a mains powered smoke alarm for my investment property?

No.  You can only claim the rebate for these items installed at your principal place of residence, as registered on the Seniors Card database.

12. I live in a retirement village. Can I claim a rebate?
Yes. Only Seniors Card holders living in accommodation provided by an aged care organisation, hospital, hostel or religious order are not eligible for the rebate as they do not fall under the Australian Bureau of Statistics
definition of a ‘private dwelling’.

13. I’m renting my house. Can I get the rebate for buying and installing a security sensor light at my house?
Yes. As long as you have written authority from the owner or landlord. You will need to provide proof of the owner or landlord’s consent. Check with the owner or landlord before you buy or install any security device to make sure they will give their approval.

14. I’m renting my house and it does not have a mains powered smoke alarm and/or residual current device fitted.  Can I install these items and claim a rebate?

No, it is the responsibility of the owner to have these items installed.  This needs to be arranged through the owner and/or managing agent of the property.  No rebate would be available to the owner or managing agent in this case.

15. I’m renting my house, can I claim for the purchase of a fire extinguisher and or fire blanket

Yes

Payment

16. How much of the purchase price will the rebate cover?
It depends on how much you pay for your device. Prices can vary from around $26 for a cheap deadlock to over $1000.00 for a top of the range alarm system. The minimum purchase price you can pay to claim the rebate is outlined on the application form. If you don’t have enough receipts to claim the full rebate you can save your receipts until you have bought enough items to claim the maximum of $200 rebate per category.

17. How will I receive my rebate?
Payments will be made into your nominated bank account by electronic funds transfer.

18. I’ve bought a security sensor light and had it installed and am thinking of putting some deadlocks on later. Should I claim for my security sensor light now?
If you claim for your security sensor light now you will not be able to make another claim as the rebate is a once only payment per category. The maximum rebate you can get on buying and installing a security sensor light is $100. You can, however, save your receipt for your security sensor light and wait until you have bought your deadlocks and had them installed. You can then make a claim for the maximum rebate of $200 (under the category of home security items) provided you have all the receipts.

19. I’ve previously lodged an application for items listed under the home security category.  Am I eligible to claim for items listed under the electrical and fire safety category?

Yes, you are eligible to claim a maximum rebate of $200 for items listed under the fire and electrical safety category.  However, you cannot make a further for claim for items purchased under the home security category.

20. I am not sure if my house has a residual current device (RCD) fitted? I would like more information

The EnergySafety Division of the Department of Commerce  has prepared a set of frequently asked questions for this device http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/EnergySafety/RCD/faq.htm . If you have further queries in relation to residual current devices, please contact EnergySafety on 9422 5200 or email energysafety@commerce.wa.gov.au  

21. I’m not sure what a mains powered smoke alarm is? I would like more information

The Fire and Emergency Services Authority FESA has prepared a set of frequently asked questions for this device  http://www.fesa.wa.gov.au/internet/upload/-646037529/docs/FAQs-Building-Amendment-Regulations-2009-Issued-by-FESA.pdf .  Further information can be accessed from FESA website  http://www.fesa.wa.gov.au/internet/upload/-1285614200/docs/14438_FE_Senior_Brx(V6a).pdf   &   http://www.fesa.wa.gov.au/internet/default.aspx?MenuID=323&ContentID=643 

If you have further queries in relation to mains powered smoke alarms, please contact FESA on (08) 9323 9300 or email fesa@fesa.wa.gov.au

22. I would like to know what type of fire extinguisher I should purchase

The Fire and Emergency Services Authority FESA has the following links to help you decide the best type of fire extinguisher to purchase for use in your home.

www.chubb.com.au/utcfs/Templates/Pages/Template-54/0,8063,pageId%3D8147%26siteId%3D582,00.html

&   http://www.fesa.wa.gov.au/internet/upload/shared/docs/Fire_Ext_Guide_01.pdf 

If you have further queries in relation to fire extinguishers, please contact FESA on (08) 9323 9300 or email fesa@fesa.wa.gov.au

Click here to download the Safety and Security Rebate application form