Ownership and subsidies

• It's very expensive living up here. Can I count on any help with paying some of my bills?
• What is the Home Ownership Plan?
• I'm already in HOP. Has anything changed for me?
• I'm in HOP and I want to change to the Rio Tinto North West Rental agreement. If I want to change over, do I have to move out of this property?
• I think something's broken in my air conditioner. What should I do?

It's very expensive living up here. Can I count on any help with paying some of my bills?

Yes, we agree that living in the North West can be expensive, which is why Rio Tint Iron Ore offers subsidies or rebates for your water and electricity bills, with rent if you're renting privately, home loan interest if you have a mortgage, by insuring the dwelling, registered home improvements and for public liability. We will also pay a portion of certain home improvements you may wish to make to company housing.

Scroll down to check out your eligibility.

Water rebate
A water rebate is paid to compensate for the extra watering demands of gardens in the Pilbara. It's paid to all Rio Tint Iron Ore staff tenants through the payroll in July each year and varies according to where you live. In Dampier and Karratha, employees receive a rebate for the first 300kL of water used per year. In Tom Price, this rises to 350kL, and 450kL in Paraburdoo. Wickham and Pannawonica receive an allowance to 1000kL.

The water rebate is based on the requirements of a house or duplex but doesn't apply to other dwellings such as town houses, flats and home units, which are separately metered.

Electricity allowance
Pilbara Iron pays a seasonal quota for the electricity you use while you are working for the company in the Pilbara.

If the air conditioning allowance is not fully used for the quarter, then the unused portion can be offset against domestic power consumption. Unused portions of allowances cannot be rolled over from one billing period to the next. If a tenant leaves a dwelling partway through a billing quarter, the allowance will be adjusted accordingly.

Rental reimbursement
Rio Tint Iron Ore employees who rent on the open market are eligible for rental reimbursements each year. These are offered on a sliding scale, depending on where you live and how much rent you're paying. As an example, if you're paying $150 per week rent, you'll be entitled to a maximum reimbursement of $7800 each year, while if you're paying $250 or more in rent each week, you can expect to be reimbursed to a maximum of $13,000 a year.

The maximum levels may be subject to annual reviews based on changes in market conditions. You'll need to apply and receive approval for reimbursement, if you wish to claim it. Please use the application form.

Interest reimbursement
If you're a Rio Tinto Iron Ore employee who decides to buy a property - and it is your principal place of residence - you can apply to have a portion of the interest on your housing loan reimbursed, so long as it is from an external source such as a bank, credit society or other financial institution. This applies to loans of up to $350,000.

The interest paid on the housing loan will be reimbursed at the rate of 80% for the first six years, reducing to 50% for years seven to 10, and 25% for years 11 to 15.

These levels may be subject to annual reviews based on changes in market conditions.

For more detailed information about this scheme, and to register please select one of the application forms.

Purchase cost reimbursement
A one-off payment is available to new employees, or those who transfer, and who subsequently buy a property as their primary place of residence. Reimbursement is up to a maximum of $15,000 to assist with the legal, statutory and conveyancing costs (including fees for inspections required to obtain a loan) incurred in buying the property. This is subject to approved receipts.

An employee who does not complete 2 years of service after receiving the purchase cost reimbursement, will be required to repay the amount received.

Employees can also transfer from rental reimbursement to interest reimbursement schemes (but not visa versa) and get help with bond payment depending on certain conditions.

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What is the Home Ownership Plan?

This was a scheme, set up in the past by Hamersley Iron, which allowed employees in Dampier, Karratha, Paraburdoo and Tom Price, to buy one of our rental properties. However, the scheme is no longer available to new employees. It has been replaced by the North West Rental or Rental/Interest Reimbursement schemes.

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I'm already in HOP. Has anything changed for me?

Yes. Intersite and Intrasite transfers are no longer available for existing HOP employees. If you wish to change residences you must surrender HOP and enter the North West Rental or Rental/Interest Reimbursement schemes.

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I'm in HOP and I want to change to the Rio Tinto North West Rental agreement. If I want to change over, do I have to move out of this property?

No, you won't be assessed on your eligibility if you stay put. However, if you want to change properties, you'll only be able to choose within your own eligibility criteria. Click here to see the eligibility criteria.

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I think something's broken in my air conditioner. What should I do?

If you are in HOP, you'll need someone to come and fix it and pay for any work that costs up to $500. If it costs more than $500, you must still pay the contractor directly but can apply to be reimbursed for anything over the $500 mark if it's due to what's called 'an insurable event' such as if the compressor fails or if the unit is hit by lightning. This is a five-step process:

1. Get a licensed contractor to check your unit.
2. Ensure you get an itemised invoice from the contractor for the work done. This will detail the problem and what has been done to fix it.
3. Pay the contractor directly.
4. If the bill is for more than $500, submit it to your local Property Officer, along with your air conditioner insurance claim form. The property officer will fax both documents to Customer Services. Application forms are available as an online form or PDF download.
5. Customer Services will process the documents and reimburse the amount - less the first $500 - directly into your account. Allow 5-7 working days for this to happen.

If you are not in HOP, please log a maintenance call with the Helpdesk using this form or call 1800 992 777.

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