Rates
Your rates pay for more than you might realise, and you could be surprised by just how many services and facilities you benefit from every day. Our Council is responsible for delivering a multitude of services and facilities that contribute to building strong and vibrant communities.
Council collects the money required to provide those services and infrastructure as adopted in its annual budget and business plan. Rates are a form of property taxation, each ratepayer’s contribution is based on their relative property valuation, being the accepted form to assess how much money each ratepayer is to contribute. The valuation has no bearing on the total amount of rates the Council collects, this is determined through the budget process.
Each year the community is provided with an opportunity and is encouraged to participate in setting the Annual Business Plan and Budget when released for public consultation. Once the rates have been set, the Annual Business Plan Summary is distributed each year to ratepayers detailing how council will allocate its budget and the services and projects that plan to be delivered.
Learn about how every dollar of your rates are used to benefit our community at our Your Rates at Work page
Rebate Review Questionnaire
Council is conducting a rebate review in readiness for the new financial year. The purpose of this review is to determine if an organisation that is currently receiving a rebate continues to be eligible for this rebate. To avoid any potential delays or a possible withdrawal of the rebate, please ensure the completed questionnaire is returned to Council as soon as possible by email to service@cityofpae.sa.gov.au
Download the Rebate Review Questionnaire (PDF, 631.85 KB) and return to Council by email for review.
Rates
Council Rates are set annually and billing commences in July. Council collects a levy on behalf of the Landscape Administration Fund.
Port Adelaide Enfield Council rate using the minimum charge method. The minimum rate payable for the 2023-24 financial year is: $1010.
Council adopted the 2023-24 Annual Business Plan and budget on 27 June 2023 and the rates were set as follows:
Differential Rate in the Dollar
- Residential - 0.001934
- Commercial/Industrial/Other - 0.005743
- Vacant Land - 0.005743
- Regional Landscape Levy - 0.00007334
- New Haven Levy - 0.001560
The capital value of the property multiplied by the rate in the dollar = rates levied (subject to minimum rate).
Everyone who lives and works in the region has an impact on the environment. As such, we all share a responsibility to take care of our precious soil, water, landscapes, marine environments, native animals and plants and ecosystems. Your contribution through the Regional Landscape Levy will help to fund the vital work needed to care for and enhance these environmental assets.
Council collects the Regional Landscape Levy on all rateable properties on behalf of the Landscape Administration Fund for distribution to the Landscape Boards. Details of the Levy are provided on Rate Notices under the heading "Particulars of Rates and Charges" where it is listed as "Separate Rate - Regional Landscape Levy". The Levy is included in the total balance shown on each rates notice.
The Regional Landscape Levy is a state tax. For further enquiries please call the Department for Environment and Water on (08) 8204 1910 or visit their website.
Landscape SA Summary
https://cdn.environment.sa.gov.au/landscape/docs/statewide/Landscape-SA-Summary.pdf
Landscape SA Policy Overview
https://cdn.environment.sa.gov.au/landscape/docs/statewide/Landscape-SA-Policy-Overview.pdf
FAQ:
https://cdn.environment.sa.gov.au/landscape/docs/statewide/Landscape-SA-External-FAQs-July-2020.pdf
Council declares a separate rate for the purpose of supporting the New Haven housing development that trialled new technology in energy efficiency, environmentally friendly materials and on site treatment and reuse of domestic waste water that is considered to be of benefit to the land and occupiers of the land.
A separate rate is declared in respect to each allotment contained within Deposit Plan No. 42580 comprising the New Haven Village at North Haven. There are 62 allotments within the Village area.
The total annual charge is worked out on the property value as supplied by the State Valuation Office. To work out a sewerage charge, multiply the property value by the rate. The rate for 2023-24 is $0.001560.
For further information view the attachments below:
- Customer Charter(PDF, 523.5 KB)
- Hardship Residential retail service customers policy (PDF, 279.48 KB)
Receiving your rates notice electronically will make it easier and more convenient for you to manage your payments, save paper and reduce waste. You'll have your notice accessible on any electronic device (phone, tablet, laptop or desktop) and at your fingertips whenever you are ready to pay your rates; anytime, anywhere, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Depending on your internet service provider (ISP) you may find the delivery of your rates notices will go into a SPAM or junk folder. To avoid this happening or your ISP potentially deleting the email as a possible virus threat, check your email settings and whitelist noreply@ezybill.com.au . Alternatively, if you need assistance with this contact your ISP.
Once you are registered the next quarterly rates notice will be delivered via email. After registration, paper notices will no longer be issued via postal delivery. Once you have registered all future rates notices will be available for viewing at any time in the EzyBill portal.
You can still choose to make payment via your preferred payment method or for convenience click on the ‘Online Payments’ section of the notice to pay by Credit Card on the Council website.
You will receive your quarterly notices via EzyBill. Overdue and legal demand letters will only be issued to your postal address, so please ensure you keep your details updated with Council. If your electronic notice is returned to EzyBill as undeliverable via email a paper copy will be issued to your postal address.
If you have previously registered with another Council for EzyBill, you can use the same login/signin details for your Rates with the City of PAE.
Owner/Ratepayer details must match with who is registering. For example, if your mother owns the property you can’t register for EzyBill on her behalf without written authorisation or a power of attorney type legal document previously being provided to Council. Alternatively they can register themselves for this service. Please note if we receive unmatched details your registration will be declined.
Please ensure the username you choose is unique. Preferably use a combination of your first and last name or you can use your email address.
To finalise your registration you will be sent a link to activate the account from noreply@ezybill.com.au with the subject EzyBill Account Activation. This link expires 4 hours from the time of issue. However, there is an option for you to request an updated activation account if you were unable to do it within that timeframe.
Copies of previous financial year Rate Notices issued for your property can be requested using the link below. A fee of $11 is payable for each Rate Notice outside the current financial year that is requested. Payments can be made by calling Customer Service on (08) 8405 6600 or on collection of the Rate Notices
Payment of rates
Rates payments are due to be made in full or in four quarterly instalments due in September, December, March and June each year. Accounts will be sent at least 30 days before each instalment falls due.
Rates may be paid by the following methods:
- Online Payment
- BPay (BPay biller code - 18192, reference number - refer Rate Notice)
- Direct Debit (quarterly)
- By phone 1300 012 401
- By mail
- In person at Council service centres
Full payment options are detailed on your rates notice.
Direct Debit Information(PDF, 374.46 KB)
Direct Debit Application(PDF, 242.22 KB)
In accordance with Section 186 of the Local Government Act 1999 if an instalment is not paid on or before a due date on which it falls due, the instalment will be regarded as being in arrears, and a fine of 2% of the amount of the instalment is payable. A further penalty at the prescribed interest rate is added to any unpaid rates each month they continue to be unpaid.
To assist in alerting you to any unpaid rates, Council will issue a Notice of Overdue Rates after the instalment is due and remains unpaid, even if you have a payment arrangement in place.
If no communication is received and the rates remain in arrears, the outstanding rates will result in Council commencing action to recover debt in accordance with the Local Government Act 1999 and Councils Debt Treatment Plan.
A Collection Agent may be engaged to pursue recovery action of your rates. As a result, Council will apply legal fees or associated costs incurred to your account; this is why it is best to talk to us about your situation as soon as you become aware that you are not able to pay your account on time.
A ratepayer who is experiencing difficulty in paying an installment is advised to call Council on (08) 8405 6600 to discuss available payment options.
The City of Port Adelaide Enfield is committed to treating ratepayers equally, confidentially and respectfully when you are unable to pay your rates on time. Our staff can discuss arrangement options that might be available to you. Further legal or recovery action will be avoided if the mutually agreed payment arrangement terms are followed.
If you need to changes to your mailing address for the delivery of the Rate Notices please either
- Send us an email to service@cityofpae.sa.gov.au
- Complete a Customer request at this link- Online Services (Rates)
- Contact us on 8405 6600 and speak to a Customer Relations Officer. Please note that these calls are recorded so that we can retain details related to the change of address request
The Local Government Act allows a Council to sell any property where rates have been in arrears for three years or more. The sale process is pursuant to Section 184 of the Local Government Act 1999.
Council is required to formally notify the owner in writing of the details and the amount outstanding for the property, and that it is Council’s intention to sell the land. If applicable, a copy of the letter will also be sent to the registered mortgagee of Council's intention.
If Council has not received payment of the outstanding amount within one month from the date of the letter, then Council may proceed and implement the sale process.
Differential General Rates are based on various Land Use Categories, which are determined by the Valuer-General.
If you think that the Land Use Category we’ve applied to your account is incorrect, you can lodge a written objection that outlines the grounds of your objection and includes the Land Use Category applied.
You’ve got 60 days to lodge your objection once you receive your first Port Adelaide Enfield Council rates notice for that financial year. When a completed form is submitted, a land use recommendation can then be forwarded to the Valuer-General. Notification of any change will be made in writing to the ratepayer.
You’ll still need to pay your rates by their due date while you’re going through the objection process.
Rate relief and rebates
Under our existing Rates Hardship Policy, any person who owns property in the area and is experiencing financial hardship may apply to make a payment arrangement or short-term postponement. Please contact the Rates team to discuss your individual circumstances.
We work with ratepayers who may be experiencing ongoing or extreme financial stress/hardship.
Ratepayers who identify being in financial hardship:
- Applicants will be required to attend an accredited financial counsellor who must prepare an income and expenditure statement before Council can consider the application. This service is available free of charge through some charitable organisations like Uniting Care Wesley. Contacts of financial counselling services are listed in this information sheet (PDF, 157.4 KB) We can also refer you to a hardship counsellor, who we will liaise with on a regular basis.
- The counsellor will review your income and expenditure and prepare a suggested budget (where appropriate).
- The counsellor will be required to prepare a letter for council substantiating the current financial circumstances, indicating any recommendations establishing an achievable payment plan.
- A copy of these documents will need to be provided to council and will support the application for hardship.
- Other information or evidence may also be requested in certain circumstances.
The Local Government Act provides the option for Seniors Card holders to apply to postpone part of their Council rates. At least $500 of the total Council rates must be paid each year, allowing the balance to be held via postponement.
The balance will be deferred and will be subject to a monthly interest charge, with the accrued debt being payable on the disposal or sale of the property. However, the debt may be paid at any earlier time at the ratepayer's discretion.
Council encourage interested ratepayers to contact our Customer Service Team to discuss the eligibility and criteria in more detail prior to lodging an application. Criteria includes not being in arrears when reapplying for postponement.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, by your debt it may be supportive to talk to someone about your options and the steps you can take. Free, independent and confidential financial counselling and support services provided by non-judgemental, qualified and experienced professionals are a good place to start. Financial Counsellors can assess your situation and provide you with advice to help you move on. The National Debt Helpline can link you with a local Financial Counsellor in your area on 1800 007 007
If you are building a residential property on land rated as “Vacant Land” for the current financial year and can demonstrate that building works have substantially commenced (the concrete footings have been poured), you may be eligible for a rate rebate. Please select "Online request for Construction Rate Rebate” for your application to be considered. Refer “Rates Services – Rebates".
Online request for Construction Rate Rebate
Residential Building Rebate Application (PDF, 290.37 KB)
Valuation and Rebates Policy (PDF, 174.13 KB)