Rates frequently asked questions
When will landholders receive their rates notice and when will it be due?
We expect to issue rates notices in early February 2024. Payment terms are 30 days after the issue date.
Are rates the only source of income for Local Land Services?
Rates are not our only source of income - they contribute around one fifth of our funding. Other sources of income for Local Land Services can include grants and other contributions from state and federal government and the sale of goods and services.
Why does Local Land Services charge rates?
Under the Local Land Services Act 2013, we must charge rates on all land classified as rateable land under the Act. This is generally land 10 hectares or more in size (40 hectares in the Western region and 20 hectares in some parts of Murray and Riverina regions).
Our rates are different to council rates charged under the Local Government Act 1993. Council land zoning e.g. rural residential has no bearing on the calculation of Local Land Services rates.
Local Land Services rates help grow and protect NSW landscapes and agricultural industries. They allow us to contribute to the NSW State Government outcome of Productive and sustainable land use which aims to ‘Enhance the use of the State’s public and private lands, by supporting their sustainability, use and productivity. This is achieved by providing on-ground and frontline support to land managers to better manage natural resources, respond to biosecurity risks and improve primary production, productivity and output in the State.’
I am experiencing hardship, are there provisions available to me?
Where landholders are experiencing hardship they are encouraged to contact their nearest Local Land Services office to discuss available options, which could include setting up a payment plan.
Can I process one payment for multiple properties?
As each property has a separate account number you will need to pay each notice separately. Please use the reference number on each notice to make a payment. If you are mailing a cheque for payment of multiple notices, please include the remittance advice which is at the bottom of each notice being paid. This will ensure your payments are allocated to your accounts correctly.
Can someone tell me how much my rates will cost me?
Rates are calculated based on several variables and will look different for each property. These variables include:
- General base and variable rate which includes a standard base amount per rateable holding plus a variable component based on the notional carrying capacity applied to your holding.
- Animal Health base and variable rate which includes a standard base amount if you hold stock and a variable component (based on minimum stock numbers being declared in your Annual Land and Stock Return) multiplied by the notional carrying capacity applied to your holding. These charges will also apply for non or late lodgement of the annual return. The Local Land Services Regulation 2014 states 50 stock units are the minimum after which the animal health component will be included. The Regulation defines a stock unit as a 40 kilogram whether sheep of any breed – a 400 kilogram steer of any breed represents 10 stock units. The Regulation also provides equivalents for other types of stock.
- Meat Industry Levy which is charged on behalf of and passed onto the Food Authority on the same basis as the animal health rate. The levy has a base charge of $5.00 and is capped at a maximum of $130.00.
- Special Purpose Pest Management Rate which supports statewide plague locust and pest animal control as a priority, while investing a portion in the management of state and regional pest priorities.
As there is a huge difference in the size, carrying capacity and use of properties across NSW, rates vary accordingly. Your previous rates notice is a good indication of what your 2024 notice may be.
The Animal Health rate and Meat Industry Levy are included on rates notices where your Annual Land and Stock Return declared stock numbers exceeding the minimum numbers prescribed by the Local Land Services Regulation.
These components are also charged where an annual return is not lodged or is lodged after the 31 August in the previous year.
Why are properties under environment/conservation agreements not exempt?
Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) agreements have exemptions for local government rates; however, the Local Land Services Act 2013 exemption criteria does not include conservation agreements.
All landholders have biosecurity obligations including those under conservation agreements. Local Land Services can provide landholders with biodiversity agreements assistance including information and advice to increase their land management capacity.
Are flood or drought impacted landholders exempt from paying rates?
Flood or drought impacted landholders will still receive rates notices.
We acknowledge that some customers have had a difficult few years due to seasonal conditions (including drought, fire and/or floods) and this has been compounded by biosecurity impacts.
We understand and appreciate this hardship and urge you to remind customers the government has assistance programs in place for eligible landholders through the RAA and Service NSW.
What services can LLS provide to grape, citrus and apple growers?
While horticultural industry bodies provide extension and advisory services, Local Land Services still provides a wide range of support to growers. While it may not always seem visible, our support can extend to you in times of emergency, natural disaster and biosecurity threats. Your contribution through Rates payments supports the industry and Australia’s horticultural sustainability.
We encourage and support landholders to be sustainable and follow best practice when it comes to the management of land, pastures, produce, native vegetation and natural resources. We manage biosecurity at a landscape scale, which includes ensuring all land managers maintain good practices (on-farm hygiene for example) and we contribute to regional disease surveillance to protect your industry by providing early detection of any potential pests in the landscape.
We coordinate wide-scale pest animal control programs and can provide advice on how to manage both invertebrate and plant pests on your farms. Our staff can also provide advice on how to manage native vegetation on your property and can explain how the Land Management (Native Vegetation) Code works, and approval pathways available to help you.
How do I pay my rates?
When you receive your Local Land Services rates notice, you can use our payment portal to pay your rates online.
Important: You cannot pay your Rates notice at the Post Office. Please use the payment portal or one of the accepted methods detailed below.
You can also pay by:
- BPAY – online banking
- credit card – call 1300 738 070 to pay by credit card (MasterCard or Visa)
- in person at a Local Land Services office – pay by credit card, cash or cheque
- cheque – post your cheque along with the remittance advice on your rates notice.
If you are paying for multiple properties, please pay each invoice separately as each rates notice has a unique customer reference number. We then match your payment to the right property in our systems.
What if the property I purchased has outstanding rates on it?
Outstanding Local Land Services rates are usually identified during the conveyancing process (following a search) and adjusted at settlement. In some cases, conveyancers may not be aware they should request a search for Local Land Services rates. This may lead to outstanding Local Land Services rates being transferred to the new owner or occupier.
Local Land Services is not able to recover rates from a previous property owner. The new property owner (or occupier) should contact their solicitor or conveyancer to seek recovery from the previous owner.
What happens if I don’t pay my rates?
Under the Local Land Services Act 2013, interest accrues on unpaid rates and charges. Local Land Services may take measures to recover outstanding debt after a period of time.
The interest rate applied is 13.93% from 1 January 2024.
Do pensioners receive a discount on rates?
There are no pensioner or other discounts. Where landholders are experiencing hardship, they are encouraged to contact their nearest Local Land Services office to discuss what options may be available to them, which could include setting up a payment plan.
What if I feel that my rates have been calculated incorrectly?
In the first instance, you should seek clarification on the calculation by contacting Local Land Services.
If you believe your rates are invalid, you may lodge an appeal with the Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
I think there is a credit on my account
If you believe there is a credit on your account, Customer service staff can check your balance. If the account is in Credit, Customer Service staff can step through the refund process to refund the amount back to you.
Any account with a large credit ($<1,000) should receive a call from relevant regional staff and proactively managed as a matter of urgency. A central resource will be allocated within the DPHI Accounts Receivable Team to manage any smaller amounts. Account Statements (similar to Monthly statements) will also be issued for any landholder with credits on accounts.
Why have I been charged Animal Health (AH and Meat Industry (MI) levies as part of my rates if I don't have any stock?
Landholders are charged animal health and meat industry levies on their rates notices for one of 2 reasons.
- You submitted an Annual Land and Stock Return last year where you indicated that you had 50 or more Dry Sheep Equivalent (DSE) on your holding on 30 June 2023.
Or
Your Annual Land and Stock Return was not received by the deadline of 31 August 2023.
What happens to my rates if I don't lodge an Annual Land and Stock Return?
If you fail to lodge your return, the Animal Health and Meat Industry Levy will automatically apply on your rates notice the following year.
How was the number of stock units listed on my rates notive (Notional Carrying Capacity) worked out?
The Notional Carrying Capacity (NCC) is an estimate which is worked out by the local region for the number of livestock a property could carry per hectare during an average year using farming practices deemed suitable by Local Land Services in the area.
When you are looking at your rates notice the “Stock Units/hectare: XX.XXX” shown is referring to the amount of stock that can be held on each hectare. The estimated total carrying capacity for your land is worked out by multiplying the area of land x stock units per hectare – this is amount can be seen beside the Base Charge for your general rates.
Where can I find more information?
If you would like more information, please call our team on 1300 795 299.