Properties & Rates
Rates in Alice Springs
Alice Springs Town Council provides and maintains a comprehensive range of recreational, cultural, environmental, humanitarian services and facilities.
About 74 percent of the money needed to provide these services comes from rates levied on properties in Alice Springs.
Council aims to keep rates as low as possible. Considering our small population and the extra expense involved in acquiring goods and services in the centre of Australia, Council rates compare favourably with those charged by many other councils around the country.
For the current rates brochure, click here.
Many of Council’s ratepayers have requested that Council remind them via email about upcoming rates instalments.
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Rates Email Reminder
Pay your rates online.
General Rates
The General Rates are calculated as the higher value of:
- multiplying the Unimproved Capital Value of the parcel of land by the declared rate set by Council, or
- the minimum amount payable, as set by Council, multiplied by the number of separate parts or units that are adapted for separate occupation or use.
The Unimproved Capital Value of land used by Town Council is provided by the Valuer General.
The Unimproved Capital Value is the value of the land without any improvements, that is, a vacant block without buildings, fences, etc.
Valuations are updated every three years. Fluctuations in valuations cause shifts in the amount of rates paid by individual ratepayers in various areas of the town.
If you have any queries regarding the valuation of your property, these should be directed to the Valuer General’s Office, telephone (08) 8943 9193.
Payment of Rates
Rates and charges for each financial year (1 July to 30 June) are due and payable by four instalments. Reminders are provided to each ratepayer in the form of a Rate Notice or Instalment Notice issued at least 28 days before each due date.
Ratepayers may choose to pay the full amount of the rates and charges for the year by the first due date. Pay your full annual rates and charges (and any arrears) by the first instalment date and you could win a rates refund!
The Early Bird Draw applies only to individuals (being a natural person, not companies, government bodies, or incorporated bodies), who are entered in the Early Bird Draw to win a refund on their rates (not exceeding $3,000). The refund does not include the cost of waste management and collection charges. Entry is automatic with full payment before the first instalment date. Winners are notified and announced in local media.
Pandemic Financial Hardship Assistance Policy
Alice Springs Town Council is committed to assisting the community during this unprecedented COVID19 time and would like to remind all ratepayers that there are provisions in place for financial hardship for rates concessions. Council has passed a Pandemic Financial Hardship Assistance Policy and to make an application to this a specific hardship application form for those financially impacted by COVID-19 is available (click on above link). Please contact our Rates Officer on 89500500 or via email at astc@astc.nt.gov.au for further information.
For more details on Council response to COVID19 — https://alicesprings.nt.gov.au/locals-supporting-local/councils-covid19-response. These special measures have been put in place as a result of COVID-19.
There are penalties for late payments
If your rate payment is not received by the due date the account will be in arrears.
Penalties for late payment on the outstanding instalment will be calculated on a daily basis from the date on which the missed instalment was due until the date payment is made in full.
Penalties for late payments are charged at a set percentage per annum.
If you are having difficulty in making the required payment by the due date, please contact the Rates Office on (08) 8950 0500.
Due Dates
The due dates for the 2020/2021 financial year are as follows:
First Instalment – 04/09/2020
Second Instalment – 06/11/2020
Third Instalment – 05/02/2021
Fourth Instalment – 09/04/2021
More information about Rates for the current year is available in the Rates Declaration 2020 – 2021.
Ways to Pay your Rates
BPAY View: Log into your online banking and register for BPAY View. Information regarding how to register can be found on your rates notice, and is also available from our BPAY View page. For more information regarding BPAY View, visit the official BPay View website.
Online Payments: Click here and follow the links to make a payment.
In Person: Make your payment at the Civic Centre from 8am to 5pm weekdays by cheque, cash, MasterCard or Visa.
By Mail: Post a cheque or money order, or complete your MasterCard or Visa details on the Credit Card Authorisation slip at the bottom of your Rate Notice, to Council at PO Box 1071, Alice Springs NT 0871. Mail payments must be received on or before the due date to avoid a penalty for late payment.
By Phone: Phone 1300 437 967 with your MasterCard or Visa details.
By BPAY: Contact your participating bank to pay directly from your cheque, savings or credit card account. Quote the biller code and reference number as indicated near the BPAY logo on your rates notice.
By Direct Debit: Complete an application form which is available from the Civic Centre or download from our forms page. Council can then draw on your cheque or savings account on the dates rates are due.
By Payroll Deduction: Employees of the NT Government and some other organisations can pay their rates through regular payroll deductions.
Please Note: Ratepayers remain responsible for ensuring payments are made in full by the instalment due dates. Please ensure correct reference details are used when making payment — failure to do so may incur a charge.
If you believe you will have difficulty making the required payment by the due date, please contact the Rates Officer on 8950 0500.
Notification of Managing Agent
If you are the principal ratepayer for a property within the Council municipality and you have instructed a real estate agent to manage your property on your behalf, you will need to complete this form to notify Council of the postal address of the agent so that all future rates correspondence can be sent directly to their office.
Notification of Managing Agent can be downloaded here.
Change of Address
Avoid any problems by remembering to notify Council when changing your address.
The Local Government Act requires ratepayers to notify Council in writing of any change of mailing address within 28 days.
A penalty of $3,140 for not doing so may apply. The form is on our Forms page.
Concession for Pensioners
Aged Pensioners are entitled to a concession on their rates.
Concessions for eligible pensioners are automatically included in their assessment on the rates notice.
Enquiries regarding your eligibility for pensioner concessions on rates and rebates for part-year eligibility should be directed to the Northern Territory Concession Scheme, please contact the NT Concession & Recognition Unit on 1800 777 704 or email to: ntconcessionandrecognition@nt.gov.au