WA Public Trustee Will Drafting - Concession-Holder Fee Rate
This page is a direct rule-based guide for AU_WA_PUBLIC_TRUSTEE_WILL (rule version 2025-26, effective 1 July 2025). It explains the reduced will-drafting fee rate the WA Public Trustee offers to concession card holders.
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Quick Answer
You may qualify if you live in Western Australia and hold a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card or DVA Gold Card. In the questionnaire it is reached when state = WA and concession_card_type is one of those cards.
It is not a cash payment. It is a discount: the Public Trustee prepares your will at a concession-holder fee rate that is lower than the standard hourly charge.
Outcome summary: a professionally drafted will at a reduced cost, so eligible Western Australians can put their affairs in order without paying full private rates.
What Is This Payment?
The WA Public Trustee is a state government body within the Department of Justice that can prepare your will. For concession card holders, the fee is charged at a reduced concession rate rather than the standard hourly rate.
The rule database tags it as a Group B benefit with eligibility_only as its result role. The questionnaire confirms whether you can access the concession fee rate; it does not calculate a dollar payment.
The exact will-drafting fee depends on the complexity of your estate and instructions, but the concession rate is set below the standard charge that applies to clients without a qualifying card.
How Much Can You Get?
The amount block is eligibility_only with period: none. There is no direct cash payment; the value is the reduced fee rate for will drafting.
- A concession-holder fee rate for the Public Trustee preparing your will, below the standard rate.
- The total fee depends on complexity - a straightforward will costs less than one with complex estate arrangements.
- Bring your concession card to your appointment so the reduced rate is applied.
Eligibility Conditions
The eligibility block is an all set, so every condition must pass.
- Western Australian resident:
state = WA. The Public Trustee serves WA residents. - Holds a qualifying concession card:
concession_card_typeis a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card or DVA Gold Card.
If you do not hold one of the listed cards, the Public Trustee can still prepare your will, but at the standard fee rate rather than the concession rate.
It is worth thinking about your executor and how your estate will be administered before your appointment, as the Public Trustee can also act as executor; that is a separate service with its own fees.
How To Apply
The channels are online and phone, and you must show your concession card.
- Book an appointment with the WA Public Trustee online or by phone.
- Bring your concession card so the reduced fee rate is applied.
- Prepare your instructions - your assets, beneficiaries and chosen executor - before the appointment.
Rule-Based Scenarios
Scenario 1: a pensioner making a first will
Margaret, who holds a Pensioner Concession Card, books the Public Trustee to draft her first will. Her concession card means she is charged the reduced fee rate.
Scenario 2: a DVA Gold Card holder
George holds a DVA Gold Card. He has the Public Trustee prepare a straightforward will and pays the concession rate rather than full private solicitor fees.
Scenario 3: updating an old will
Helen, a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holder, asks the Public Trustee to update an outdated will after a change in her family. The concession rate applies to the new will.
Scenario 4: no qualifying card
Robert does not hold a concession card. The Public Trustee can still prepare his will, but at the standard fee rate, not the concession rate.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming the will is free: the concession rate is a discounted fee, not a free service.
- Forgetting your concession card: bring your card to the appointment so the reduced rate is applied.
- Confusing the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card with the WA Seniors Card: this rule lists the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card; check which card you hold.
- Mixing up will drafting with executor services: having the Public Trustee act as executor is a separate service with its own charges.
- Putting it off: without a valid will, your estate is distributed under intestacy rules, which may not reflect your wishes.
- Not preparing your instructions: have your assets, beneficiaries and executor in mind before the appointment to keep the fee down.
Related Benefits
- WA Bereavement Assistance Program - help with basic funeral costs for hardship households.
- WA Seniors Cost of Living Rebate - an annual cash rebate for WA Seniors Card holders.
- WA Seniors Card - concessions and discounts for older Western Australians.
- WA State Concession Card - access to WA concessions for eligible residents.
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card - federal card for self-funded retirees over Age Pension age.
- Pensioner Concession Card - federal card unlocking a wide range of concessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the WA Public Trustee charge for drafting a will?
Yes, but concession card holders pay a reduced fee rate rather than the standard hourly charge.
Which cards qualify for the concession rate?
A Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card or DVA Gold Card.
How much will my will cost?
The total fee depends on the complexity of your estate and instructions. The concession rate is lower than the standard rate, but it is not free.
Can the Public Trustee also be my executor?
Yes, but acting as executor is a separate service with its own fees, distinct from drafting the will.
How do I make an appointment?
Book online or by phone with the WA Public Trustee, and bring your concession card to your appointment.
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