{"id":"northern-territory-rates-act-1971","name":"Northern Territory Rates Act 1971","slug":"northern-territory-rates-act-1971","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"nt","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":30441,"registerId":"nt-northern-territory-rates-act-1971-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Northern Territory Rates Act 1971","content":"NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\nNORTHERN TERRITORY RATES ACT 1971\nAs in force at 27 November 2023\nTable of provisions\nPart I Preliminary\n1 Short title ......................................................................................... 1\n2 Commencement .............................................................................. 1\n4 Definitions ........................................................................................ 1\n4A Application of Criminal Code ........................................................... 2\nPart II Rates\nDivision 1 Rates under this Act\n5 Rates in prescribed areas ................................................................ 2\nDivision 1A Rate book\n6 Rate book ........................................................................................ 2\n7 Names of persons to be entered in or removed from rate book....... 3\n8 Minister to direct errors, &c., to be rectified, &c. .............................. 3\n9 Alteration of rate book ..................................................................... 3\n10 Rates to be entered in book............................................................. 3\n11 Fee to inspect rate book in certain circumstances ........................... 4\nDivision 2 Declaration of rates\n12 Allotments ........................................................................................ 4\n13 Minister to declare rate .................................................................... 5\n14 Basis of assessed value .................................................................. 6\n15 Minister to levy rate ......................................................................... 6\nDivision 3 Application for alteration to rate book\n16 Application for alteration to entry in rate book.................................. 7\n17 Application for alteration regarding omission from rate book ........... 7\n18 Form of applications ........................................................................ 7\n19 Decision on application .................................................................... 8\n20 Review by NTCAT ........................................................................... 8\n21 Liability to pay and recovery of rate not suspended......................... 8\n23 Obligation to pay rate not suspended .............................................. 9\n\nNorthern Territory Rates Act 1971 ii\nPart III Recovery of rates\nDivision 1 Rateable land\n24 Rateable land .................................................................................. 9\nDivision 1A Liability for Rates\n27 Owner to pay rates ........................................................................ 11\n28 Rates payable by certain persons in certain circumstances .......... 11\n29 When Crown land held for less than financial year ........................ 12\n30 Land held jointly or in common ...................................................... 13\n35 Seller may recover portion of rate from purchaser......................... 13\n36 Between seller and purchaser rate deemed to accrue from day\nto day ............................................................................................. 13\n37 Person liable for outstanding rates when acquiring allotment ........ 13\n38 When rateability of land changes................................................... 14\nDivision 2 Time for payment of rates\n39 Interest on overdue rates ............................................................... 14\n40 Remission of interest ..................................................................... 14\nDivision 3 Methods of recovery of rates\n43 Extended meaning of rate.............................................................. 14\n44 Minister may sue for rates ............................................................. 15\n45 Minister may require lawful occupier to pay rent in payment of\nrates in certain circumstances ....................................................... 15\n46 Rights of Territory where failure to pay rent ................................... 16\nDivision 4 Miscellaneous\n47 Rates a charge on land ................................................................. 16\n48 Rates not a charge on land in certain circumstances .................... 16\n49 Payments to be applied to rates in order of rates becoming\ndue ................................................................................................ 16\n50 Relationship between parties as to rates ....................................... 17\nPart IV Offences\n51 Notice of change of ownership of rateable land ............................. 17\n52 Misleading information ................................................................... 18\nPart V Miscellaneous\n53 Proof of declaration of rate ............................................................ 18\n54 Service of notices on Territory ....................................................... 18\n55 Continuing effect of notice served on ratepayer ............................ 19\n\nNorthern Territory Rates Act 1971 iii\n58 Rates recoverable within 20 years................................................. 19\n59 Proof that person owner or lessee ................................................. 19\n60 Certificate to be evidence .............................................................. 19\n61 Copy of entry in rate book evidence .............................................. 19\n62 Proof of certain matters not required ............................................. 19\n63 Regulations.................................................................................... 20\nPart VI Transitional matters for Statute Law\nAmendment (NTCAT Conferral of\nJurisdiction) Act 2023\n64 Definitions ...................................................................................... 20\n65 Appeals not determined by Minister before commencement ......... 20\n66 Appeals not determined by Local Court before\ncommencement ............................................................................. 21\nENDNOTES\n\n\n\nNORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\n____________________\nAs in force at 27 November 2023\n____________________\nNORTHERN TERRITORY RATES ACT 1971\nAn Act to provide for the rating of certain lands\nPart I Preliminary\n1 Short title\nThis Act may be cited as the Northern Territory Rates Act 1971.\n2 Commencement\nThis Act shall come into operation on a date to be fixed by the\nAdministrator by notice in the Gazette.\n4 Definitions\nIn this Act:\nAboriginal community living area, see section 7 of the Local\nGovernment Act 2019.\nAboriginal community living area association, see section 7 of\nthe Local Government Act 2019.\nallotment, see section 12(2).\nassessed value, of an allotment, see section 14(2).\ninterest, in rateable land, includes a right to be granted a lease\nfrom the Crown of rateable land.\nLand Trust means an Aboriginal Land Trust established under the\nAboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (Cth).\nmining tenement, see section 7 of the Local Government\nAct 2019.\noccupier, of an allotment, means a person who, either jointly or\nalone, has actual physical possession of the allotment to the\nsubstantial exclusion of other persons.\n\nPart II Rates\nDivision 1A Rate book\nNorthern Territory Rates Act 1971 2\nprescribed area means an area of land that is not in a local\ngovernment area and is prescribed by regulation as a prescribed\narea for this Act.\nrate book means the rate book maintained under section 6.\nrate notice, see section 15.\nrateable land, see section 24.\nratepayer, for an allotment, means the person who must pay the\nrate for the allotment under Part III, Division 1A.\nvaluation-based charge, see section 13(2)(b).\n4A Application of Criminal Code\nPart IIAA of the Criminal Code applies to an offence against this\nAct.\nNote for section 4A\nPart IIAA of the Criminal Code states the general principles of criminal\nresponsibility, establishes general defences, and deals with burden of proof. It\nalso defines, or elaborates on, certain concepts commonly used in the creation of\noffences.\nPart II Rates\nDivision 1 Rates under this Act\n5 Rates in prescribed areas\nThe ratepayer for an allotment in a prescribed area must pay the\nrate levied in respect of the allotment in accordance with this Act.\nDivision 1A Rate book\n6 Rate book\n(1) The Minister must maintain a rate book.\n(2) The rate book must contain the following:\n(a) a description of each allotment within each prescribed area;\n(b) the name of the ratepayer for each allotment;\n(c) the assessed value of each allotment, if relevant;\n\nPart II Rates\nDivision 1A Rate book\nNorthern Territory Rates Act 1971 3\n(d) any other information as the Minister sees fit or as prescribed\nby regulation.\n7 Names of persons to be entered in or removed from rate book\nThe Minister must:\n(a) enter a person's name in the rate book as the ratepayer for an\nallotment if:\n(i) the person is a person claiming to be the ratepayer for\nthe allotment and requests the Minister to do so; or\n(ii) the Minister is satisfied that the person is the ratepayer\nfor the allotment; or\n(b) remove a person's name from the rate book as the ratepayer\nfor an allotment if:\n(i) the person requests the Minister to do so; and\n(ii) the person has paid all rates for which the person is\nliable as the ratepayer for the allotment; and\n(iii) the Minister has received notice of the name and\naddress of the new ratepayer.\n8 Minister to direct errors, &c., to be rectified, &c.\nThe Minister shall, immediately he becomes aware of an error in, or\nomission from, the rate book, direct that such alterations be made\nin the rate book as he decides the circumstances require.\n9 Alteration of rate book\nThe Minister must serve notice of an alteration under section 8 on\nthe ratepayer whose name appears in the rate book as the\nratepayer for the relevant allotment.\n10 Rates to be entered in book\n(1) The Minister must, within 21 days after declaring a rate:\n(a) enter in the rate book the amount of the rate due in respect of\neach allotment and the name of the ratepayer for the\nallotment; and\n(b) give public notice of the place at which, and the times when,\nthe rate book may be inspected.\n\nPart II Rates\nDivision 2 Declaration of rates\nNorthern Territory Rates Act 1971 4\n(2) The Minister must ensure that the rate book is available for\ninspection at the place and during the times specified in the notice\nunder subsection (1).\n11 Fee to inspect rate book in certain circumstances\nA person who wishes to inspect the entries in the rate book relating\nto an allotment must pay the fee for inspecting the rate book that\nthe Minister determines, unless the person is:\n(a) the ratepayer for the allotment or an adjoining allotment; or\n(b) the agent of the ratepayer for the allotment or adjoining\nallotment who is authorised in writing by the ratepayer to do\nso.\nDivision 2 Declaration of rates\n12 Allotments\n(1) The Minister may divide a parcel of land that is rateable land into\nmore than one allotment if:\n(a) different parts of the parcel are occupied by different persons;\nor\n(b) the allotments fall within different zones; or\n(c) there is some other good reason for disaggregating the parcel\ninto separate allotments.\n(2) An allotment is:\n(a) if the Minister has divided a parcel of land that is rateable land\ninto more than one allotment under subsection (1) – each part\nof the parcel as divided by the Minister; or\n(b) otherwise – a parcel of land that is rateable land.\n(3) An allotment may be:\n(a) a unit or lot created by registration of a plan under the Real\nProperty (Unit Titles) Act 1975 or the Unit Titles Act 1975; or\n(b) a unit created by the registration of a unit title scheme under\nthe Unit Title Schemes Act 2009.\n(4) In this section:\nzone means a zone constituted under the Planning Act 1999.\n\nPart II Rates\nDivision 2 Declaration of rates\nNorthern Territory Rates Act 1971 5\n13 Minister to declare rate\n(1) The Minister must, before 21 October in each financial year,\ndeclare a rate payable in respect of each allotment for the financial\nyear.\n(2) The rate declared by the Minister in respect of an allotment may:\n(a) be a fixed amount (a fixed charge); or\n(b) be calculated as a proportion of the assessed value of the\nallotment (a valuation-based charge); or\n(c) be a combination of:\n(i) fixed charges; or\n(ii) one or more fixed charges and a valuation-based\ncharge; or\n(d) differ from other rates in the prescribed area, depending on:\n(i) where in the prescribed area the allotment is located; or\n(ii) the class of allotment.\nExample for subsection (2)(d)\nIf rateable land in a prescribed area is divided into small allotments (such as\nself-storage units or marina berths) because of a subdivision under the Unit Titles\nAct 1975 or the Unit Title Schemes Act 2009, and the Minister considers it\ninequitable for the minimum charge that would otherwise be levied in respect of\nan allotment to be levied in respect of small allotments, the Minister may declare\na different and lesser minimum charge for the small allotments.\n(3) If the rate is a valuation-based charge, the Minister may declare a\nminimum amount (the minimum charge) that may be levied as a\nrate in respect of an allotment.\n(4) If an allotment is divided into parts or units that are adapted for\nseparate occupation or use, a minimum charge may consist of a\nfixed amount to be multiplied by the number of separate parts or\nunits.\nExample for subsection (4)\nIf an allotment consists of a block of flats in separate occupation, the minimum\ncharge could consist of a fixed amount to be multiplied by the number of flats in\nthe complex.\n\nPart II Rates\nDivision 2 Declaration of rates\nNorthern Territory Rates Act 1971 6\n14 Basis of assessed value\n(1) If the rate declared in respect of an allotment in a prescribed area is\na valuation-based charge, the Minister must also declare which of\nthe following bases of calculation of the assessed value applies to\nthe allotment:\n(a) the unimproved capital value of the allotment as it appears\nfrom the valuation roll;\n(b) the improved capital value of the allotment as it appears from\nthe valuation roll;\n(c) the annual value of the allotment as it appears from the\nvaluation roll.\n(2) In this section:\nannual value, of an allotment, see section 8A of the Valuation of\nLand Act 1963.\nassessed value, of an allotment, means:\n(a) if the allotment is a mining tenement – 20 times the annual\nrent payable under the tenement; or\n(b) otherwise – the value of the allotment calculated on the basis\nof calculation declared by the Minister under subsection (1).\nimproved capital value, of an allotment, see section 8 of the\nValuation of Land Act 1963.\nunimproved capital value, of an allotment, see section 9 of the\nValuation of Land Act 1963.\nvaluation roll, see section 4(1) of the Valuation of Land Act 1963.\n15 Minister to levy rate\n(1) The Minister must, not later than 2 months after declaring a rate\nunder section 13(1), levy the rate in respect of an allotment by\nserving a notice requiring payment of the rate (a rate notice) on the\nratepayer for the allotment.\n(2) The rate notice must set out:\n(a) the name of the ratepayer; and\n(b) the description of the allotment; and\n\nPart II Rates\nDivision 3 Application for alteration to rate book\nNorthern Territory Rates Act 1971 7\n(c) the amount payable (including any interest accrued or\nimposed up to the date of the notice); and\n(d) the basis of calculation of the rate (including, if relevant, the\nassessed value of the allotment); and\n(e) a description of the ways to make payment; and\n(f) the due date for payment of the rate; and\n(g) a short statement of the consequences of a failure to pay by\nthe due date.\n(3) The rate notice must be served at least 30 days before the due date\nfor payment of the rate, but failure to serve the rate notice at least\n30 days before the due date for payment does not affect the validity\nof the rate notice.\nDivision 3 Application for alteration to rate book\n16 Application for alteration to entry in rate book\nA person whose name is entered in the rate book as the ratepayer\nfor an allotment may apply to the Minister for an alteration to be\nmade to an entry in the rate book on the ground:\n(a) that there is an error in or omission from the entry; or\n(b) that the person is not the ratepayer for the allotment; or\n(c) that the allotment is not rateable land.\n17 Application for alteration regarding omission from rate book\nA person whose name is omitted from the rate book may apply to\nthe Minister for an alteration to be made to the rate book on the\nground that the person is the ratepayer for an allotment.\n18 Form of applications\nAn application under section 16 or 17 must:\n(a) be in writing; and\n(b) state the nature of the alteration that should, in the applicant's\nopinion, be made to the rate book.\n\nPart II Rates\nDivision 3 Application for alteration to rate book\nNorthern Territory Rates Act 1971 8\n19 Decision on application\n(1) The Minister must, within 3 months after the day on which the\nMinister receives an application under section 16 or 17:\n(a) allow the application; or\n(b) refuse the application.\n(2) If the Minister allows the application, the Minister must:\n(a) ensure that the alterations required to give effect to the\nMinister's decision are made to the rate book; and\n(b) give the applicant written notice of:\n(i) the Minister's decision; and\n(ii) the alteration made to the rate book.\n(3) If the Minister refuses the application, the Minister must give the\napplicant written notice of the Minister's decision.\n20 Review by NTCAT\n(1) NTCAT has jurisdiction to review a decision of the Minister under\nsection 19(1)(b) to refuse an application for an alteration to be\nmade to the rate book.\n(2) The applicant under section 16 or 17 may apply to NTCAT for\nreview of the Minister's decision.\nNote for section 20\nThe Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2014 sets out the\nprocedure for applying to NTCAT for review and other relevant matters in relation\nto reviews.\n21 Liability to pay and recovery of rate not suspended\n(1) Subject to any order made by NTCAT under subsection (2), the fact\nthat an application under section 16 or 17, or an application for\nreview under section 20(2), is pending does not suspend any\nliability to pay a rate affected by the application, and the rate may\nbe recovered as if no application were pending.\n(2) NTCAT may order the Minister to refrain from levying or recovering\na rate affected by an application for review under section 20(2) until\nNTCAT has determined the review.\n\nPart III Recovery of rates\nDivision 1 Rateable land\nNorthern Territory Rates Act 1971 9\n(3) If the person's application is successful, the Territory must refund\nany amount that has been paid by the person to the Territory which\nwas not properly payable by the person.\n23 Obligation to pay rate not suspended\nSubject to any order made by the court, the obligation to pay and\nthe right to recover any rate is not suspended by an appeal under\nthis Division, but where an amount has been paid to the Territory by\nthe appellant, which the court subsequently holds not to have been\nproperly payable by him, the Territory shall forthwith refund that\namount to him.\nPart III Recovery of rates\nDivision 1 Rateable land\n24 Rateable land\n(1) Subject to this section, all land in a prescribed area is rateable\nland.\n(2) Crown land in a prescribed area is not rateable land unless the\nland:\n(a) is leased by a person other than the Crown; or\n(b) is otherwise lawfully occupied by a person other than the\nCrown; or\n(c) is an allotment mentioned in subsection (6).\n(3) Land in a prescribed area is not rateable land if it is land that is\nexempt from payment of rates under another Act.\n(4) Land of the Commonwealth in a prescribed area is not rateable\nland unless the Commonwealth agrees and, in that event, it is\nrateable land on conditions agreed by the Commonwealth.\n(5) The following land in a prescribed area is not rateable land:\n(a) a public place consisting of:\n(i) a park, garden or reserve; or\n(ii) a playground or sports ground; or\n(iii) a cemetery; or\n\nPart III Recovery of rates\nDivision 1 Rateable land\nNorthern Territory Rates Act 1971 10\n(iv) a road;\n(b) land belonging to a religious body consisting of:\n(i) a church or other place of public worship; or\n(ii) a place of residence for a minister of religion associated\nwith a church or other place of public worship; or\n(iii) a place of residence for the official head in the Territory\nof the religious body; or\n(iv) an institution for religious teaching or training;\n(c) a public hospital;\n(d) land used for a non-commercial purpose by a public\nbenevolent institution or a public charity;\n(e) a kindergarten, Government school as defined in section 4(1)\nof the Education Act 2015, non-Government school registered\nunder the Education Act 2015, or a university or other tertiary\neducational institution;\n(f) land recognised by the Minister as a youth centre;\n(g) a public library or public museum;\n(h) the common property:\n(i) in a units plan or building development plan registered\nunder the Real Property (Unit Titles) Act 1975; or\n(ii) of a scheme formed under the Unit Title Schemes\nAct 2009;\n(i) land owned by a Land Trust or an Aboriginal community living\narea association, except:\n(i) land prescribed by regulation as rateable; or\n(ii) land subject to a lease or a licence conferring a right of\noccupancy; or\n(iii) land used for a commercial purpose by a person other\nthan the Land Trust or association.\n\nPart III Recovery of rates\nDivision 1A Liability for Rates\nNorthern Territory Rates Act 1971 11\n(6) An allotment of Crown land is also rateable land if:\n(a) a person has obtained the right to a lease of the allotment at\nauction but has not yet been granted a lease of the allotment;\nor\n(b) a person:\n(i) was a lessee of Crown land that included the allotment;\nand\n(ii) surrendered the lease as to all or part of the land\nincluded in the lease; and\n(iii) is entitled to be granted a new lease including the\nallotment; and\n(iv) has not yet been granted the new lease; or\n(c) a person:\n(i) has applied for the grant of a lease from the Crown of\nCrown land that included the allotment; and\n(ii) has been informed in writing that the Minister has\napproved the grant of the lease; and\n(iii) has accepted an offer made on behalf of the Crown to\nbe granted the lease; and\n(iv) has not yet been granted the lease.\nDivision 1A Liability for Rates\n27 Owner to pay rates\nSubject to this Division, the ratepayer for an allotment is the\nregistered owner of the allotment.\n28 Rates payable by certain persons in certain circumstances\n(1) The ratepayer for an allotment of Crown land that is rateable land\nis:\n(a) if there is a lease of the allotment – the lessee; or\n(b) if there is not a lease of the allotment – one of the following\npersons, as applicable:\n(i) the lawful occupier of the allotment;\n\nPart III Recovery of rates\nDivision 1A Liability for Rates\nNorthern Territory Rates Act 1971 12\n(ii) a person mentioned in section 24(6);\n(iii) a person to whom has been transferred, by a person\nmentioned in section 24(6), the person's rights under\nthat section.\n(2) The lessee of an allotment that is owned by a local government\ncouncil is the ratepayer for the allotment.\n(3) A person who carries out an industrial or commercial undertaking\nby or on behalf of the Territory on an allotment is the ratepayer for\nthe allotment.\n(4) If an allotment of land would not otherwise be rateable land but is\nrateable land because of another Act in circumstances mentioned\nin that Act, the ratepayer for the allotment is:\n(a) if the other Act provides that a person is liable to pay the rate,\nthat person; or\n(b) otherwise, the lessee of the allotment.\n(5) The following applies in relation to an allotment mentioned in\nsection 24(5)(i):\n(a) if the allotment is an allotment of a class mentioned in\nsection 24(5)(i)(i) – the ratepayer is the person prescribed by\nregulation;\n(b) if the allotment is of an allotment of a class mentioned in\nsection 24(5)(i)(ii) – the ratepayer is the lessee or licensee;\n(c) if the allotment is an allotment of a class mentioned in\nsection 24(5)(i)(iii) – the ratepayer is the person using the\nallotment for the commercial purpose.\n(6) If an allotment is subject to a mining tenement, the holder of the\ntenement is the ratepayer for the allotment.\n29 When Crown land held for less than financial year\nIf, under section 28(1), a person is a ratepayer for an allotment of\nCrown land that is rateable land but the person is such a ratepayer\nfor less than the whole financial year in relation to which the rate is\nlevied with respect to the allotment, the Minister must adjust the\namount of the rate to be paid by the person accordingly.\n\nPart III Recovery of rates\nDivision 1A Liability for Rates\nNorthern Territory Rates Act 1971 13\n30 Land held jointly or in common\n(1) If, for an allotment, there is more than one person who is a\nratepayer under this Division, the ratepayers are jointly and\nseverally liable for payment of the rate.\n(2) Unless an agreement between the ratepayers for an allotment\nprovides otherwise, the ratepayer who pays the rate in respect of\nthe allotment may sue for contribution from the others.\n35 Seller may recover portion of rate from purchaser\nWhere a person has disposed of his estate or interest in ratable\nland but pays a current rate to the Territory before he gives notice\nto the Minister of his having disposed of his estate or interest, he\nmay, subject to any agreement entered into by him to the contrary,\nrecover from the person to whom he disposed of his estate or\ninterest, the amount so paid, or such portion of that amount as is\nproportionate to the part of the year to which the rate applies which\nwas unexpired when he disposed of his estate or interest.\n36 Between seller and purchaser rate deemed to accrue from day\nto day\nAs between a person who by a transaction disposes of an estate or\ninterest in an allotment of rateable land and the person to whom\nthat estate or interest is disposed, a current rate accrues from day\nto day and, subject to any agreement between them, is\napportionable to and including the date of settlement of that\ntransaction.\n37 Person liable for outstanding rates when acquiring allotment\n(1) A person who acquires an interest in an allotment is the ratepayer\nfor:\n(a) the current rate payable in respect of the allotment; and\n(b) all arrears of rates owing in respect of the allotment; and\n(c) all interest on the arrears of rates owing in respect of the\nallotment.\n(2) However, a person is not a ratepayer for arrears of rates owing in\nrespect of an allotment, or interest on those arrears, if:\n(a) the person purchased the allotment in good faith and for\nvalue; and\n\nPart III Recovery of rates\nDivision 3 Methods of recovery of rates\nNorthern Territory Rates Act 1971 14\n(b) the person received a written certificate issued by a person\nauthorised by the Minister; and\n(c) the certificate was issued not more than 7 days before the\ndate on which the person purchased or entered into an\nagreement to purchase the allotment; and\n(d) the certificate stated that no rates were owing in respect of the\nallotment on the day on which it was issued.\n38 When rateability of land changes\nIf an allotment of land becomes rateable land, or ceases to be\nrateable land, during the financial year in relation to which a rate is\nlevied, the Minister must adjust the amount to be paid accordingly.\nDivision 2 Time for payment of rates\n39 Interest on overdue rates\n(1) If a ratepayer does not pay the rate by the due date for payment set\nout in a rate notice, interest accrues on the amount of the unpaid\nrate at the interest rate fixed under subsection (3).\n(2) Interest is calculated on a daily basis on the amount in default\n(exclusive of interest) from the due date until the date of payment.\n(3) The Minister may fix an interest rate for this section.\n40 Remission of interest\nThe Minister may remit all or part of the interest payable under\nsection 39 if satisfied that exceptional circumstances justify the\nremission.\nDivision 3 Methods of recovery of rates\n43 Extended meaning of rate\nIn this Division:\nrate includes, if a rate payable under this Act is overdue:\n(a) accrued interest on the rate; and\n(b) costs reasonably incurred in recovering, or attempting to\nrecover, the rate.\n\nPart III Recovery of rates\nDivision 3 Methods of recovery of rates\nNorthern Territory Rates Act 1971 15\n44 Minister may sue for rates\nThe Minister may sue a ratepayer, by action in a court of competent\njurisdiction, for the recovery of a rate that is due and unpaid.\n45 Minister may require lawful occupier to pay rent in payment of\nrates in certain circumstances\n(1) This section applies if:\n(a) a rate in respect of an allotment is due and unpaid; and\n(b) a person is in lawful occupation of the allotment; and\n(c) the person pays rent in relation to the allotment.\n(2) The Minister may serve a notice in writing on the lawful occupier to\npay the rent to the Territory in payment of the rate that is due and\nunpaid, if the ratepayer for the allotment:\n(a) resides outside the Territory; or\n(b) is not known; or\n(c) has not been served with any process in legal proceedings for\nthe recovery of the rate after reasonable efforts have been\nmade to do so; or\n(d) has become bankrupt; or\n(e) has applied to take the benefit of a law for the relief of\nbankrupt or insolvent debtors; or\n(f) has compounded with creditors or made an assignment of the\nratepayer's remuneration for their benefit; or\n(g) has died; or\n(h) has had a verdict or judgment given against him or her by a\ncourt of competent jurisdiction for the amount of the rate and\nfor 14 days has failed to pay the amount of that verdict or\njudgment.\n(3) The notice must state the amount of rent to be paid to the Territory.\n(4) A payment made to the Territory by the lawful occupier in\naccordance with the notice is a valid discharge to the occupier\nagainst any person claiming against the occupier for that rent.\n\nPart III Recovery of rates\nDivision 4 Miscellaneous\nNorthern Territory Rates Act 1971 16\n46 Rights of Territory where failure to pay rent\n(1) If a lawful occupier who has been served with a notice under\nsection 45 fails to pay the rent in accordance with the notice, the\nTerritory may recover the amount stated in the notice, or the part of\nit that remains unpaid, as a debt due to the Territory by the\noccupier.\n(2) This section does not apply to a person who is in lawful occupation\nof an allotment for or on behalf of, or as an employee, agent or\ncontractor of, the Territory or a local government council.\nDivision 4 Miscellaneous\n47 Rates a charge on land\nSubject to this Act, a rate due and unpaid, and all costs awarded to\nthe Territory by a court in a proceeding relating to a rate, are an\noverriding statutory charge, within the meaning of the Land Title\nAct 2000, on the land.\n48 Rates not a charge on land in certain circumstances\n(1) Section 47 does not apply to an allotment if:\n(a) the ratepayer for the allotment purchased the allotment in\ngood faith and for value; and\n(b) the ratepayer received a written certificate issued by a person\nauthorised by the Minister; and\n(c) the certificate was issued not more than 7 days before the\ndate on which the ratepayer purchased or entered into an\nagreement to purchase the allotment; and\n(d) the certificate stated that no rates were owing in respect of the\nallotment on the day on which it was issued.\n(2) Section 47 does not apply to an allotment owned by a Land Trust or\nAboriginal community living area association.\n49 Payments to be applied to rates in order of rates becoming due\nThe Minister must apply money received towards the payment of\nrates due in the order in which the rates become due, despite a\nrequest to the contrary from the person paying the money.\n\nPart IV Offences\nNorthern Territory Rates Act 1971 17\n50 Relationship between parties as to rates\n(1) Except as otherwise expressly provided, this Act does not affect\nany agreement or rule of law or equity regarding the liabilities of\npersons among themselves for any rate levied under this Act.\n(2) As between a tenant for life of rateable land and a person entitled to\nthe land in remainder or reversion, a rate charged under this Act\naccrues from day to day and must be apportioned between them\naccordingly.\nPart IV Offences\n51 Notice of change of ownership of rateable land\n(1) A person commits an offence if the person:\n(a) disposes of an estate or interest in an allotment; and\n(b) fails to give the Minister, within 1 month after the disposition,\nnotice in writing setting out the following:\n(i) a description of the allotment;\n(ii) the name and address of the person who acquired the\nestate or interest.\nMaximum penalty: 20 penalty units.\n(2) A person commits an offence if the person:\n(a) acquires an estate or interest in an allotment; and\n(b) fails to give the Minister, within 1 month after the acquisition,\nnotice in writing setting out the following:\n(i) a description of the allotment;\n(ii) the name and address of the person from whom the\nperson acquired the estate or interest.\nMaximum penalty: 20 penalty units.\n(2A) Strict liability applies to subsections (1)(b) and (2)(b).\n(3) This section does not apply to the granting or discharge of a\nmortgage.\n\nPart V Miscellaneous\nNorthern Territory Rates Act 1971 18\n52 Misleading information\n(1) A person commits an offence if:\n(a) the person gives a notice under this Act or makes a request to\nthe Minister under section 7; and\n(b) the person knows the notice or request contains misleading\ninformation.\nMaximum penalty: 200 penalty units.\n(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the person, when giving the notice\nor request:\n(a) draws the misleading aspect of the notice or request to the\nattention of the person to whom it is given; and\n(b) to the extent to which the person can reasonably do so – also\ngives the information necessary to remedy the misleading\naspect of the notice or request.\n(3) In this section:\nmisleading information means information that is misleading in a\nmaterial particular or because of the omission of a material\nparticular.\nPart V Miscellaneous\n53 Proof of declaration of rate\nThe production of the Gazette in which notice is given of the\ndeclaration of a rate by the Minister is conclusive evidence of the\nrate having been duly declared by the Minister.\n54 Service of notices on Territory\nWhere, pursuant to this Act, it is necessary to serve a notice on the\nTerritory, the notice shall be deemed to be properly served if:\n(a) it is served personally on the Minister; or\n(b) it is forwarded by registered post in an envelope addressed to\nthe Minister at Darwin.\n\nPart V Miscellaneous\nNorthern Territory Rates Act 1971 19\n55 Continuing effect of notice served on ratepayer\nA notice that is served under this Act on a ratepayer for an\nallotment is binding on any person claiming through, under, in trust\nfor, or in succession to, that ratepayer, as though the notice had\nbeen served on the person.\n58 Rates recoverable within 20 years\nNotwithstanding the provisions of any other law, proceedings for the\nrecovery of a rate may be taken at any time within 20 years from\nthe date when the rate becomes due and payable.\n59 Proof that person owner or lessee\nIn proceedings under this Act, a certificate signed and sealed by the\nRegistrar-General, certifying that a person is a registered owner or\nlessee of an allotment is proof, subject to evidence to the contrary,\nthat the person is the registered owner or lessee of the allotment.\n60 Certificate to be evidence\nIn any proceedings under this Act, a certificate in writing, signed by\na person authorized by the Minister to do so, certifying that a\ndwelling house is the property of the Territory shall be evidence that\nthe dwelling house is the property of the Territory.\n61 Copy of entry in rate book evidence\nIn proceedings for the recovery of a rate in respect of an allotment,\na copy of an entry in the rate book that is certified by a person\nauthorised by the Minister and that shows the amount owing for\nrates levied in respect of the allotment is proof, subject to evidence\nto the contrary:\n(a) of the amount owing in respect of the allotment; and\n(b) of compliance with this Act with respect to the declaration and\nlevying of the rate.\n62 Proof of certain matters not required\nIn any prosecution or other legal proceedings under this Act, proof\nis not required, unless evidence is given to the contrary:\n(a) of the fact that a particular place is within a prescribed area; or\n(b) of the particular or general authorization of a person by the\nMinister as the proper person to do any act, or for any purpose\nunder this Act; or\n\nPart VI Transitional matters for Statute Law Amendment (NTCAT Conferral of\nJurisdiction) Act 2023\nNorthern Territory Rates Act 1971 20\n(c) of the fact that the defendant is, or at any relevant time was, a\nratepayer for an allotment.\n63 Regulations\nThe Administrator may make regulations under this Act.\nPart VI Transitional matters for Statute Law\nAmendment (NTCAT Conferral of Jurisdiction)\nAct 2023\n64 Definitions\nIn this Part:\namending Act means the Statute Law Amendment (NTCAT\nConferral of Jurisdiction) Act 2023.\ncommencement means the commencement of Part 11 of the\namending Act.\nformer Act means this Act as in force immediately before the\ncommencement.\n65 Appeals not determined by Minister before commencement\n(1) This section applies in relation to an appeal to the Minister that:\n(a) was instituted by a person under section 16 or 17 of the\nformer Act; and\n(b) had not been determined by the Minister before the\ncommencement.\n(2) The Minister must continue to determine the person's appeal in\naccordance with the former Act, as if Part 11 of the amending Act\nhad not commenced.\n(3) If the Minister determines the person's appeal by referring it to the\nLocal Court under section 20 of the former Act, the Local Court\nmust hear and determine the appeal referred to it in accordance\nwith the former Act, as if Part 11 of the amending Act had not\ncommenced.\n\nPart VI Transitional matters for Statute Law Amendment (NTCAT Conferral of\nJurisdiction) Act 2023\nNorthern Territory Rates Act 1971 21\n66 Appeals not determined by Local Court before commencement\n(1) Subsection (2) applies in relation to an appeal to the Local Court\nthat:\n(a) was referred to the Local Court by the Minister under\nsection 20 of the former Act; and\n(b) had not been finally determined by the Local Court before the\ncommencement.\n(2) The Local Court must continue to hear and determine the appeal in\naccordance with the former Act, as if Part 11 of the amending Act\nhad not commenced.\n\nENDNOTES\nNorthern Territory Rates Act 1971 22\nENDNOTES\n1 KEY\nKey to abbreviations\namd = amended od = order\napp = appendix om = omitted\nbl = by-law pt = Part\nch = Chapter r = regulation/rule\ncl = clause rem = remainder\ndiv = Division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired rep = repealed\nf = forms s = section\nGaz = Gazette sch = Schedule\nhdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision\nins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation\nlt = long title sub = substituted\nnc = not commenced\n2 LIST OF LEGISLATION\nDarwin Rates Ordinance 1971 (Act No. 21, 1971)\nAssent date 19 May 1971\nCommenced 1 July 1971 (Gaz No. 26, 30 June 1971)\nOrdinances Revision Ordinance 1973 (Act No. 87, 1973)\nAssent date 11 December 1973\nCommenced 11 December 1973 (s 12(2))\nAmending Legislation\nOrdinances Revision Ordinance 1974 (Act No. 34, 1974)\nAssent date 26 August 1974\nCommenced 11 December 1973 (s 3(2))\nOrdinances Revision Ordinance (No. 2) 1974 (Act No. 69, 1974)\nAssent date 24 October 1974\nCommenced 11 December 1973 (s 3)\nOrdinances Revision Ordinance 1976 (Act No. 27, 1976)\nAssent date 28 June 1976\nCommenced ss 1, 2 and 6: 28 June 1976 (s 6(2));\nss 3 and 4: 11 December 1973; s 5: 24 October 1974\nTransfer of Powers (Further Provisions) Ordinance 1977 (Act No. 51, 1977)\nAssent date 9 December 1977\nCommenced 1 January 1978 (s 2)\nTransfer of Powers (Self-Government) Ordinance 1978 (Act No. 54, 1978)\nAssent date 1 July 1978\nCommenced 1 July 1978 (s 8)\n\nENDNOTES\nNorthern Territory Rates Act 1971 23\nStatute Law Revision Act 1978 (Act No. 95, 1978)\nAssent date 5 September 1978\nCommenced 5 September 1978\nStatute Law Revision Act (No. 2) 1979 (Act No. 128, 1979)\nAssent date 15 October 1979\nCommenced 15 October 1979\nCriminal Law (Regulatory Offences) Act 1983 (Act No. 68, 1983)\nAssent date 28 November 1983\nCommenced 1 January 1984 (s 2, s 2 Criminal Code Act 1983 (Act No. 47,\n1983), Gaz G46, 18 November 1983, p 11 and Gaz G8,\n26 February 1986, p 5)\nDarwin Rates Amendment Act 1991 (Act No. 37, 1991)\nAssent date 26 September 1991\nCommenced 26 September 1991 (s 2)\nPastoral Land (Consequential Amendments) Act 1992 (Act No. 39, 1992)\nAssent date 25 June 1992\nCommenced 26 June 1992 (s 2, s 2 Pastoral Land Act 1992 (Act No. 17,\n1992) and Gaz S33, 26 June 1992)\nReal Property (Statutory Charges Consequential Amendments) Act 1993 (Act No. 77,\n1993)\nAssent date 23 November 1993\nCommenced 1 October 1994 (s 2, s 2 Real Property Amendment Act\n(No. 2) 1993 (Act No. 76, 1993) and Gaz G37,\n14 September 1994, p 2)\nLand Title (Consequential Amendments) Act 2000 (Act No. 45, 2000)\nAssent date 12 September 2000\nCommenced 1 December 2000 (s 2, s 2 Land Title Act 2000 (Act No. 2,\n2000) and Gaz G38, 27 September 2000, p 2)\nStatute Law Revision Act 2009 (Act No. 25, 2009)\nAssent date 1 September 2009\nCommenced 16 September 2009 (Gaz G37, 16 September 2009, p 3)\nPenalties Amendment (Miscellaneous) Act 2013 (Act No. 23, 2013)\nAssent date 12 July 2013\nCommenced 28 August 2013 (Gaz G35, 28 August 2013, p 2)\nDarwin Rates Amendment Act 2014 (Act No. 47, 2014)\nAssent date 8 December 2014\nCommenced 11 February 2015 (Gaz G6, 11 February 2015, p 7)\nLocal Court (Related Amendments) Act 2016 (Act No. 8, 2016)\nAssent date 6 April 2016\nCommenced 1 May 2016 (s 2, s 2 Local Court (Repeals and Related\nAmendments) Act 2016 (Act No. 9, 2016) and Gaz S34,\n29 April 2016)\n\nENDNOTES\nNorthern Territory Rates Act 1971 24\nLocal Government Act 2019 (Act No. 39, 2019)\nAssent date 13 December 2019\nCommenced pt 8.6: 1 July 2022; rem: 1 July 2021 (Gaz S27,\n30 June 2021)\nAmending Legislation\nStatute Law Revision Act 2020 (Act No. 26, 2020)\nAssent date 19 November 2020\nCommenced 20 November 2020 (s 2)\nLocal Government Amendment Act 2021 (Act No. 15, 2021)\nAssent date 25 May 2021\nCommenced 26 May 2021 (s 2)\nStatute Law Amendment (NTCAT Conferral of Jurisdiction) Act 2023 (Act No. 24, 2023)\nAssent date 21 September 2023\nCommenced 27 November 2023 (Gaz G24, 23 November 2023, p 2)\n3 GENERAL AMENDMENTS\nGeneral amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table\nof amendments to this reprint) are made by the Ordinances Revision\nOrdinance 1973 (Act No. 87, 1973) (as amended) to: ss. 4, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14,\n15, 18, 19, 20, 26, 31, 32, 34, 37, 38, 43, 44, 45, 46, 48, 51, 52, 55 and 58.\n4 GENERAL AMENDMENTS\nGeneral amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table\nof amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation\nAmendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22, 2018) to: ss 1, 4, 12, 13, 14, 24 and 47.\n5 LIST OF AMENDMENTS\nlt amd No. 37, 1991, s 6\ns 1 amd No. 37, 1991, s 6; No. 47, 2014, s 4\ns 2 amd No. 37, 1991, s 6\ns 3 rep No. 128, 1979, s 37\ns 4 amd No. 37, 1991, s 3; No. 45, 2000, s 11\nsub No. 47, 2014, s 5\namd No. 39, 2019, s 370\ns 4A ins No. 47, 2014, s 5\npt II\ndiv 1 hdg sub No. 47, 2014, s 6\ns 5 – amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, s 3\nsub No. 47, 2014, s 7\npt II\ndiv 1A hdg ins No. 47, 2014, s 7\nss 6 – 7 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, s 3\nsub No. 47, 2014, s 7\ns 8 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, s 3\nss 9 – 11 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, s 3\nsub No. 47, 2014, s 8\n\nENDNOTES\nNorthern Territory Rates Act 1971 25\npt II\ndiv 2 hdg sub No. 47, 2014, s 8\ns 12 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, s 3; No. 37, 1991, s 6\nsub No. 47, 2014, s 8\ns 13 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, s 3\nsub No. 47, 2014, s 8\ns 14 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, s 3; No. 37, 1991, s 3; No. 25, 2009,\ns 10\nsub No. 47, 2014, s 8\ns 15 amd No. 37, 1991, s 6\nsub No. 47, 2014, s 8\npt II\ndiv 3 hdg amd No. 24, 2023, s 95\ns 16 amd No. 47, 2014, s 9; No. 24, 2023, s 96\ns 17 amd No. 47, 2014, s 10 No. 24, 2023, s 97\ns 18 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, s 3; No. 37, 1991, s 6; No. 47, 2014,\ns 11\nsub No. 24, 2023, s 98\ns 19 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, s 3\nsub No. 24, 2023, s 98\ns 20 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, s 3; No. 37, 1991, s 6; No. 8, 2016, s 45\nsub No. 24, 2023, s 98\ns 21 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, s 3; No. 37, 1991, s 6\nsub No. 24, 2023, s 98\ns 22 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, s 3; No. 37, 1991, s 6\nrep No. 24, 2023, s 98\ns 23 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, s 4\npt III\ndiv 1 hdg sub No. 47, 2014, s 12\ns 24 amd No. 54, 1978, s 4\nsub No. 47, 2014, s 13\ns 25 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, ss 3 and 4; No. 37, 1991, s 6\nrep No. 47, 2014, s 13\ns 26 rep No. 47, 2014, s 13\npt III\ndiv 1A hdg ins No. 47, 2014, s 13\ns 27 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, s 4; No. 37, 1991, s 6\nsub No. 47, 2014, s 13\ns 28 amd No. 37, 1991, s 6\nsub No. 47, 2014, s 13\nss 29 – 30 amd No. 54, 1978, s 4\nsub No. 47, 2014, s 13\ns 31 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, s 4; No. 37, 1991, s 6; No. 39, 1992, s 3\nrep No. 47, 2014, s 13\ns 32 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, ss 3 and 4\nrep No. 47, 2014, s 13\ns 33 – 34 rep No. 47, 2014, s 13\ns 35 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, ss 3 and 4\ns 36 amd No. 47, 2014, s 14\ns 37 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, s 3\nsub No. 47, 2014, s 15\npt III\ndiv 2 hdg ins No. 47, 2014, s 15\ns 38 sub No. 47, 2014, s 15\npt III\ndiv 2 hdg rep No. 47, 2014, s 15\ns 39 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, s 3\nsub No. 47, 2014, s 15\n\nENDNOTES\nNorthern Territory Rates Act 1971 26\ns 40 sub No. 47, 2014, s 15\ns 41 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, s 4; No. 37, 1991, s 6\nrep No. 47, 2014, s 15\ns 42 amd No. 37, 1991, s 6\nrep No. 47, 2014, s 15\ns 43 sub No. 37, 1991, s 5\nrep No. 47, 2014, s 15\npt III\ndiv 3 hdg sub No. 47, 2014, s 16\ns 43 ins No. 47, 2014, s 16\ns 44 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, s 3\nsub No. 47, 2014, s 16\ns 45 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, ss 3 and 4\nsub No. 47, 2014, s 16\ns 46 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, s 4\nsub No. 47, 2014, s 16\ns 47 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, s 4; No. 37, 1991, s 6\nsub No. 77, 1993, s 4\namd No. 45, 2000, s 11\ns 48 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, s 3\nsub No. 47, 2014, s 17\ns 49 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, ss 3 and 4\nsub No. 47, 2014, s 17\ns 50 amd No. 37, 1991, s 6\nsub No. 47, 2014, s 17\ns 51 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, s 3; No. 68, 1983, s 45; No. 37, 1991,\ns 6; No. 23, 2013, s 16; No. 47, 2014, s 18\ns 52 amd No. 37, 1991, s 6; No. 23, 2013, s 16\nsub No. 47, 2014, s 19\ns 53 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, s 3\ns 54 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, ss 3 and 4; No. 37, 1991, s 6\ns 55 amd No. 37, 1991, s 6\nsub No. 47, 2014, s 20\nss 56 – 57 amd No. 37, 1991, s 6\nrep No. 47, 2014, s 20\ns 59 amd No. 37, 1991, s 6\nsub No. 47, 2014, s 21\ns 60 amd No. 54, 1978, s 4; No. 37, 1991, s 6\ns 61 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, ss 3 and 4; No. 37, 1991, s 6\nsub No. 47, 2014, s 22\ns 62 amd No. 51, 1977, s 3; No. 54, 1978, s 4; No. 37, 1991, s 6; No. 47, 2014,\ns 23\ns 63 amd No. 95, 1978, s 14; No. 37, 1991, s 6; No. 47, 2014, s 24\npt VI hdg ins No. 24, 2023, s 99\nss 64 – 66 ins No. 24, 2023, s 99","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Act remains focused on its original statutory purpose — providing for the levying and recovery of rates on land in non‑local government (prescribed) areas. Amendments over time have added administrative detail (rate book, evidentiary certificates), extended enforcement tools, and updated appeal routes (including conferral of review jurisdiction to NTCAT in recent amendments). Those changes alter procedures and forum for review and refine who pays in particular circumstances, but they do not expand the subject‑matter beyond the original purpose of rating certain lands; rather, they adjust implementation, remedies and administrative architecture."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cross-references to other Acts (Valuation of Land Act 1963, Local Government Act 2019, Land Title Act 2000) increasing interpretive complexity","Several defined terms and interpretation points in s4 and throughout (e.g. allotment, assessed value, ratepayer, prescribed area)","Numerous conditional liability rules in Division 1A (s27–29) with exceptions based on lease, occupation, mining tenements, and commercial use","List of categorical exemptions in s24(5) creating many carve-outs (public places, religious bodies, hospitals, educational institutions, Land Trust land, etc.)","Ministerial discretions on rate form, valuation basis, minimum charges and interest/remission (s13–14, s39–40) introduce administrative variability","Appeal and review pathways changed/fragmented (Minister decision, Local Court historically, and NTCAT review now) including transitional Part VI","Strict‑liability offence elements and evidentiary presumptions (s51(2A), s59–62) add legal technicalities","Multiple procedural time limits and certificate rules affecting transactions (30‑day notice, 7‑day certificate for purchaser protection, 1‑month ownership notice)","Rate book correction process with time limits and stay rules for recovery (s16–21)","Extensive amendment history and transitional provisions (Part VI) requiring attention to which regime applies to particular appeals"],"plain_english_summary":"This Act creates a system for levying and collecting land rates in Northern Territory areas outside local government. The Minister maintains a public rate book, declares annual rates and valuation bases, and issues notices; registered owners are generally liable but liability can shift to lessees, occupiers, mining tenement holders or buyers without a recent clearance certificate. Rates can become charges on title and are enforceable by suits, rent diversion and interest, affecting transactions, compliance costs and revenue for the Territory."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Originally enacted as the Darwin Rates Ordinance 1971 focused on Darwin, the legislation has expanded significantly. The 2014 amendments (Act No. 47) fundamentally restructured the Act, replacing Darwin-specific provisions with a territory-wide system for 'prescribed areas' outside local government boundaries. The 2023 amendments transferred appellate jurisdiction from the Local Court to NTCAT, adding administrative review mechanisms. The Act now handles diverse land tenures including Aboriginal community living areas, mining tenements, and unit title schemes—far beyond its original municipal rating purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple overlapping categories of ratepayers (registered owners, lessees, occupiers, mining tenement holders, Crown land holders) with conditional rules determining who pays in different scenarios","Complex exemption framework in section 24 with 9 distinct exemption categories plus conditional exemptions for Aboriginal land trusts and Commonwealth land","Cross-referencing to at least 6 other Acts (Local Government Act 2019, Valuation of Land Act 1963, Land Title Act 2000, Real Property (Unit Titles) Act 1975, Unit Titles Act 1975, Unit Title Schemes Act 2009, Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976)","Dual calculation methods for rates (fixed charges vs valuation-based charges) with minimum charge provisions and zone-based variations","Transitional provisions (Part VI) preserving old appeal pathways while introducing new NTCAT jurisdiction, creating parallel procedural tracks","Interaction between statutory charges on land and good faith purchaser protections (sections 47-48) creating conditional priority rules","19 defined terms in the interpretation section, several incorporating definitions from other legislation by reference"],"plain_english_summary":"This law sets up a system for charging rates (a type of property tax) on land in the Northern Territory that sits outside local government areas—places like remote communities or unincorporated regions that don't have a local council.\n\n**Who pays:** Generally, the registered owner pays. But if the land is Crown land (government-owned land) that's leased or occupied by someone else, the lessee or occupier pays. There are special rules for mining tenements, Aboriginal land trusts, and land owned by community associations.\n\n**How it works:**\n- The Minister declares rates each financial year, which can be a fixed amount, based on the land's value, or a mix of both.\n- The Minister maintains a \"rate book\"—a public register listing each parcel of land, who must pay, and how much.\n- Ratepayers get a notice telling them what they owe and when it's due.\n- If rates aren't paid on time, interest applies and the Territory can sue for the money, divert rent payments from tenants, or place a charge on the land (like a mortgage) to secure the debt.\n\n**Exemptions:** Many types of land don't pay rates—parks, churches, schools, hospitals, public roads, and certain Aboriginal lands. Commonwealth government land is also exempt unless the Commonwealth agrees otherwise.\n\n**Disputes:** If someone thinks they're wrongly listed in the rate book, they can apply to the Minister to fix it. If refused, they can appeal to the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NTCAT).\n\n**Why it matters:** This law ensures that even in areas without local councils, there's a way to fund essential services by taxing land owners or occupiers. It balances the Territory's need to collect revenue with protections for vulnerable landowners, particularly Aboriginal communities."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/northern-territory-rates-act-1971","history":"/api/acts/northern-territory-rates-act-1971/history","analysis":"/api/acts/northern-territory-rates-act-1971/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/northern-territory-rates-act-1971/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/northern-territory-rates-act-1971/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/northern-territory-rates-act-1971/documents"}}