Water Payment Assistance Scheme (PAS) credits

The Water Payment Assistance Scheme, or PAS, can help if you are in financial hardship and cannot pay your water bill. 

PAS may be available if your bill is from: 

• Hunter Water

• Sydney Water

• Shoalhaven Water. 

Before you ask for PAS

If you’re struggling to pay your water bill, talk to your water supplier first. 

Your supplier may be able to offer a payment plan or arrangement or another way to help you manage the bill. 

If you cannot make an arrangement with your supplier, a local community agency may be able to help. 

Where to get PAS credits

Many community welfare organisations offer PAS. 

These may include: 

• St Vincent de Paul Society

• The Salvation Army

• Anglicare

• The Smith Family

• some community centres

• some neighbourhood centres.

If you cannot find a PAS agency near you, contact us for help. 

Who can get PAS credits

Customers in financial hardship can apply for PAS. 

Contact your water supplier to ask about the eligibility rules. 

Financial hardship may be caused by: 

• lost income

• a very high water bill

• illness in the family

• a family crisis

• unexpected bills or costs. 

PAS credits for tenants 

In NSW, the landlord is usually responsible for the water account. 

But some tenants must pay for the water they use as part of their lease. 

If you are a tenant and must pay for water use, you may be able to get PAS. You can find out more about your rights and responsibility from Tenants NSW. 

Tenants can get up to $150 in PAS for water use. 

PAS cannot be used to put an account into credit. This means the landlord should not pay the full bill before you use PAS. 

This is a private arrangement between you and your landlord or real estate agent. Speak to them first if you are having trouble paying. 

For more information, contact your water supplier. 

Tenants NSW can help you learn about your rights. They also explain your responsibilities as a tenant. 

How PAS works 

In most cases, you will need to book an appointment with a PAS agency. 

Take your water bill to the appointment. 

The agency will decide if they can help you. 

The agency may also help you set up a payment plan with your supplier for the rest of the bill. 

They may also offer other help, such as financial counselling. 

You can add the PAS credits to your account at the post office or another outlet. 

Take a recent bill with the barcode on it. 

If you have not already made a plan for the rest of the bill, call your water supplier. 

If you cannot make a plan to pay the rest of the bill, contact us for help.