NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
VALUATION OF LAND ACT 1963
As in force at 13 September 2025
Table of provisions
Part 1 Preliminary matters
1 Short title ......................................................................................... 1
2 Commencement .............................................................................. 1
4 Definitions ........................................................................................ 1
Part 2 Administration
5 Valuer-General ................................................................................ 3
6 Judicial notice of signature of Valuer-General ................................. 3
7 Delegation ....................................................................................... 3
7A Valuation bodies and valuation qualifications .................................. 4
7B Approved forms ............................................................................... 4
Part 4 Valuations and valuation rolls
8 Improved capital value ..................................................................... 4
8A Annual value .................................................................................... 4
8B Improved capital value of unit .......................................................... 5
8C Unimproved capital value of unit...................................................... 5
8D Annual value of unit ......................................................................... 6
9 Unimproved capital value ................................................................ 6
10 Valuations of unimproved capital value of ratable land .................... 7
10A Rating authority may request valuation ........................................... 8
10B Section 10 no longer to apply where valuation made under
section 10A ...................................................................................... 9
10C Heritage land ................................................................................... 9
11 Other valuations ............................................................................ 10
12 Value of certain improvements ...................................................... 11
13 Effect of valuation .......................................................................... 11
14 Land to be included in the one valuation ....................................... 12
14A Determination of limits of land ....................................................... 12
15 Valuation rolls ................................................................................ 12
15A Error in valuation roll...................................................................... 13
16 Notice of valuations ....................................................................... 14
17 Validity of valuation not affected by failure to give notice .............. 14
17A Cost of valuations .......................................................................... 14
Part 5 Objections to valuations
18 Objection to valuations .................................................................. 14
Valuation of Land Act 1963 ii
19 Prescribed grounds of objection .................................................... 15
20 Decision of Valuer-General on objection ....................................... 15
Part 6 Review of valuations
20A Review by NTCAT ......................................................................... 15
Part 7 Land and Valuation Review Tribunal
21 Establishment of Land and Valuation Review Tribunal.................. 16
22 Registries of Tribunal..................................................................... 16
23 Officers of Tribunal ........................................................................ 16
24 Sittings of the Tribunal ................................................................... 17
27 Procedure before Tribunal ............................................................. 17
28 Representation before Tribunal ..................................................... 17
29 Decisions of Tribunal ..................................................................... 17
30 Certificate as to costs .................................................................... 18
31 Decision of Tribunal not to be challenged ...................................... 18
Part 8 Miscellaneous matters
40 Certified copies of entries in valuation roll ..................................... 18
40A Keeping and public inspection of valuation rolls ............................ 18
41 Valuer-General to have access to buildings, documents, &c. ........ 19
42 Powers of Valuer-General ............................................................. 19
43 Notice of change of ownership ...................................................... 20
44 Service of notices, &c. ................................................................... 20
45 Change of ownership of land ......................................................... 20
47 Regulations.................................................................................... 21
Part 9 Transitional matters for Lands, Planning
and Environment Legislation Amendment
Act 2025
48 Decisions reviewable under Part VA or VI ..................................... 21
ENDNOTES
NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
As in force at 13 September 2025
VALUATION OF LAND ACT
An Act relating to the valuation of land
Part 1 Preliminary matters
1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Valuation of Land Act 1963.
2 Commencement
This Act shall come into operation on a date to be fixed by the
Administrator by notice published in the Gazette.
4 Definitions
In this Act:
approved form means a form approved under section 7B.
gross annual rental means the fair rental that a property may be
expected to be let at from year to year less statutory outgoings.
improvements, in relation to land, means improvements on or
appertaining to the land, whether visible or invisible and whether
made or acquired by the owner or a predecessor in title of the
owner, and includes any destruction of suckers and seedlings that
is incidental to the destruction of other vegetable growths and of
animal pests on the land to the extent only to which the destruction
retains its effectiveness, but does not include the destruction by a
person of any vegetable growths or animal pests that are allowed to
establish themselves on the land during his ownership except to the
extent, if any, to which that destruction consists wholly or partly of
the further destruction of any vegetable growths or animal pests
which, after having apparently been destroyed, are again allowed to
establish themselves on the land.
land includes a unit.
lease includes a licence to occupy, or a tenancy of, land.
Part 1 Preliminary matters
Valuation of Land Act 1963 2
lessee means a person to whom a lease of land has been granted,
and includes a person to whom a lease passes by transfer,
devolution or operation of law.
owner means, in relation to land that is subject to a lease from the
Crown, the lessee of the lease, and includes a person who has
obtained a right to be granted such a lease.
parcel of land means an area of land that is separately held by any
owner.
prescribed improvements, in relation to any lands, means
improvements on or appertaining to the land that are of a kind
referred to in section 12.
ratable means, in relation to land, liable under a law of the Territory
to have rates imposed in respect of the land.
rating authority means a local government council, and includes
any other body or authority that is entitled to impose rates in
respect of land under a law of the Territory.
site improvements, in relation to any land, means improvements
on the land that consists of:
(a) the reclamation of any part of the land by draining or filling and
the erection of retaining walls, and the carrying out of other
works, for the purposes of reclamation; or
(b) the excavation, grading or levelling of any part of the land
otherwise than for the purpose of irrigation or conservation.
statutory outgoings means, in relation to land, any rates imposed
by a rating authority and any water, sewerage and other rates and
taxes applying to the land during the 12 month period immediately
preceding a determination of the annual value of the land.
the Tribunal means the Land and Valuation Review Tribunal
established by this Act.
unit means:
(a) a unit, as defined in section 4(1) of the Unit Titles Act 1975; or
(b) a unit of a scheme, as defined in section 37 of the Unit Title
Schemes Act 2009.
valuation body means a professional association or institute of
land valuers determined under section 7A(1).
Part 2 Administration
Valuation of Land Act 1963 3
valuation qualification means a qualification determined under
section 7A(2).
valuation roll means a valuation roll prepared and maintained
under section 15.
valuer means a person who:
(a) is a member of a valuation body; or
(b) possesses a valuation qualification.
Valuer-General means the Valuer-General for the Territory
appointed under section 5.
Note for section 4
The Interpretation Act 1978 contains definitions and other provisions that may be
relevant to this Act.
Part 2 Administration
5 Valuer-General
(1) For the purposes of this Act, there shall be a Valuer-General for the
Territory who shall be appointed by the Minister.
(2) A person shall not be appointed to be the Valuer-General unless he
is a valuer.
6 Judicial notice of signature of Valuer-General
All courts and persons acting judicially shall take judicial notice of a
mark purporting to be the signature of the Valuer-General or a
facsimile of his signature affixed to a document, and, in the case of
a facsimile of his signature, shall presume that it was affixed by
proper authority of the Valuer-General.
7 Delegation
(1) The Valuer-General may, by instrument in writing, delegate to a
valuer all or any of his powers and duties under this Act (except this
power of delegation) in relation to a matter or class of matters, or to
a particular place, or generally.
(2) A power or duty so delegated may be exercised or performed by
the delegate in accordance with the instrument of delegation.
Part 4 Valuations and valuation rolls
Valuation of Land Act 1963 4
(3) A delegation under this section is revocable at will and does not
prevent the exercise of a power, or the performance of a duty, by
the Valuer-General.
7A Valuation bodies and valuation qualifications
(1) The Minister may determine a professional association or institute
of land valuers to be a valuation body.
(2) The Minister may determine a professional qualification in land
valuation to be a valuation qualification.
7B Approved forms
The Valuer-General may approve forms for this Act.
Part 4 Valuations and valuation rolls
8 Improved capital value
(1) For the purposes of this Act, the improved capital value of land
(other than a unit) is the sum which the fee simple of the land might
be expected to realize if offered for sale on such reasonable terms
and conditions as a seller in good faith would require.
(2) In determining the improved capital value of land under
subsection (1) which are premises occupied for trade, business or
manufacturing purposes, such value shall not include the value of
plant, machines, tools or other appliances which are not fixed to the
premises or which are only so fixed that they may be removed
without causing structural damage to the premises.
8A Annual value
(1) For the purposes of this Act, the annual value of land (other than a
unit) is:
(a) the gross annual rental of the property; or
(b) 5% of the improved capital value of the land,
whichever is the greater.
(2) In determining the annual value of land under subsection (1) which
are premises occupied for trade, business or manufacturing
purposes, such value shall not include the value of plant, machines,
tools or other appliances which are not fixed to the premises or
which are only so fixed that they may be removed without causing
structural damage to the premises.
Part 4 Valuations and valuation rolls
Valuation of Land Act 1963 5
(3) In determining the annual value of land under subsection (1) it shall
be assumed that the land with the improvements, if any thereon, is
not subject to a determination in relation to rent under section 43 of
the Residential Tenancies Act 1999.
8B Improved capital value of unit
(1) For the purposes of this Act, the improved capital value of a unit is
the sum which the fee simple of the unit might be expected to
realize if offered for sale on such reasonable terms and conditions
as a seller in good faith would require.
(2) In determining the improved capital value of a unit under subsection
(1) which are premises occupied for trade, business or
manufacturing purposes, such value shall not include the value of
plant, machines, tools or other appliances which are not fixed to the
premises or which are only so fixed that they may be removed
without causing structural damage to the premises.
8C Unimproved capital value of unit
(1) For the purposes of this Act, the unimproved capital value of a unit
is the sum which the fee simple of the unit might be expected to
realize if offered for sale on such reasonable terms and conditions
as a seller in good faith would require assuming that:
(a) the improvements, if any, which form the walls, floors and
ceilings containing the unit and made or acquired by the
owner or his predecessor in title had not been made, provided
that where the unit is wholly or partly in an excavation it shall
be assumed that the excavation of the unit had been made;
(b) means of access to the unit may be used, and may continue
to be used, as they were being used, or could be used, on the
date to which the valuation relates; and
(c) lands outside the unit, including land of which the unit forms
part, are in the state and condition existing at the date to
which the valuation relates, and, in particular, without limiting
the generality of this assumption, that where the unit consists
partly of a building, structure or work or is portion of a building,
structure or work, such building, structure or work, to the
extent that it is outside the unit, had been made.
(2) In determining the unimproved capital value of a unit under
subsection (1) it shall be assumed that:
(a) the unit may be used, or may continue to be used, for any
purpose for which it was being used, or for which it could be
used at the date to which the valuation relates; and
Part 4 Valuations and valuation rolls
Valuation of Land Act 1963 6
(b) such improvements may be continued or made in the unit as
may be required in order to enable the unit to continue to be
so used,
but nothing in this subsection prevents regard being had, in
determining that value, to other purposes for which the unit may be
used on the assumptions set forth in subsection (1).
8D Annual value of unit
(1) The annual value of a unit is:
(a) the gross annual rental of the unit; or
(b) 5% of the improved capital value of the unit,
whichever is the greater.
(2) In determining the annual value of a unit under subsection (1) which
are premises occupied for trade, business or manufacturing
purposes, such value shall not include the value of plant, machines,
tools or other appliances which are not fixed to the premises or
which are only so fixed that they may be removed without causing
structural damage to the premises.
(3) In determining the annual value of a unit under subsection (1) it
shall be assumed that the unit with the improvements, if any
therein, is not subject to a determination in relation to rent under
section 43 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1999.
9 Unimproved capital value
(1) For the purposes of this Act, the unimproved capital value of land
(other than a unit) is:
(a) the capital sum which the fee simple of the land might be
expected to realize if offered for sale on such reasonable
terms and conditions as a seller in good faith would require,
assuming that any improvements, other than site
improvements, on or appertaining to the land had not been
made; or
(b) the sum which would be obtained by deducting the value of
any improvements, other than site improvements on or
appertaining to the land, from the improved capital value of the
land,
whichever is the greater.
Part 4 Valuations and valuation rolls
Valuation of Land Act 1963 7
(2) Notwithstanding anything in subsection (1), in determining the
unimproved capital value of any land under that subsection it shall
be assumed that:
(a) the land may be used or continued to be used for any purpose
for which it was being used or could be used at the date to
which the valuation relates; and
(b) such improvements on or appertaining to the land are made or
continued as are necessary to enable the land to be or
continue to be so used,
but nothing in this subsection prevents regard being had in
determining that value to any other purpose for which the land may
be used on the assumption that the improvements, other than site
improvements, on or appertaining to the land had not been made.
(3) For the purposes of this section, the value of improvements on or
appertaining to land is the added value which the improvements,
other than site improvements, give to the land, irrespective of the
cost of the improvements, including in such added value the value
of any licence in force under the Liquor Act 2019, the value of which
has been included in the improved capital value of the land.
10 Valuations of unimproved capital value of ratable land
(1) The Valuer-General shall, before the expiration of the period of
3 years after the date of commencement of the Valuation of Land
Act 1973, cause a valuation to be made of the unimproved capital
value of all ratable land.
(2) Where, after the Valuer-General has made a valuation of the
unimproved capital value of any land in pursuance of this section
(including this subsection):
(a) the land is subdivided;
(b) a change is made in the boundaries of the land; or
(c) a change occurs in the purpose for which the land may be
used or continued to be used,
the Valuer-General shall, as soon as practicable, cause a further
valuation of the unimproved capital value of that land to be made.
(3) The Valuer-General shall cause a further valuation of the
unimproved capital value of all land that is then ratable to be made
before the expiration of the period of 3 years after the making of
each valuation of ratable land under subsection (1) or under this
subsection.
Part 4 Valuations and valuation rolls
Valuation of Land Act 1963 8
(4) A valuation of the unimproved capital value of any land made in
pursuance of subsection (1) or (3) shall determine that value as at
the date on which the valuation is made.
(5) A valuation of the unimproved capital value of any land made under
subsection (2) shall be the valuation as at the date on which the last
valuation of the unimproved capital value of that land was made
under subsection (1) or (3).
10A Rating authority may request valuation
(1) A rating authority may, by notice in writing to the Valuer-General,
request a valuation of the following to be made in relation to land or
part of land to which the authority is entitled to impose rates:
(a) the improved capital value;
(b) the annual value;
(c) the unimproved capital value.
(2) A notice under subsection (1) must specify:
(a) the value to be determined; and
(b) the ratable land in respect of which the valuation is required.
(3) The Valuer-General on receiving a notice under subsection (1) may
cause a valuation to be made of the land specified in the notice.
(4) Where, after the Valuer-General has made a valuation of land in
pursuance of this section (including this subsection):
(a) the land is subdivided;
(b) a change is made in the boundaries of the land; or
(c) a change occurs in:
(i) the purpose for which the land may be used or be
continued to be used; or
(ii) an improvement on the land,
the Valuer-General must, as soon as practicable, cause a further
valuation of the land to be made.
(5) A valuation under subsection (4) must be made of the improved
capital value, the annual value or the unimproved capital value
whichever was determined in the previous valuation of the land.
Part 4 Valuations and valuation rolls
Valuation of Land Act 1963 9
(6) The Valuer-General must cause to be made a further valuation of
land which is then ratable before the expiration of the period of
3 years after the making of each valuation under subsection (3) or
under this subsection.
(7) A valuation made under subsection (3) or (6) must determine the
value as at the date on which the valuation is made.
(8) A valuation made under subsection (4) must be the valuation as at
the date on which the last valuation was made under subsection (3)
or (6).
10B Section 10 no longer to apply where valuation made under
section 10A
Where the Valuer-General under section 10A(3) causes a valuation
to be made of land and the land is land to which section 10 applies
that section shall be deemed on and from the date of the valuation
no longer to apply to or in relation to the land and all valuations of
the land on and from that date shall be made in accordance with
section 10A.
10C Heritage land
(1) The owner of land that is or contains a heritage place is entitled to
the benefit of this section in respect of the valuation of that land.
(2) Where the Valuer-General is satisfied that a person is entitled to the
benefit of this section, he may, and shall at the request of that
person, value the land:
(a) taking into account the fact that the land is or contains a
heritage place; and
(b) disregarding any potential use of the land that is inconsistent
with the preservation of the value of the land or the relevant
part of the land as a heritage place,
and any such valuation shall operate for the purposes of any rating
or taxing Act on the basis of the valuation of the Valuer-General.
(3) Where, after the Valuer-General has caused a valuation of land to
be made under section 10 or 10A, he causes a valuation of the land
to be made under subsection (2), the valuation shall:
(a) be made of the improved capital value, the annual value or the
unimproved capital value whichever was determined in the
previous valuation of the land; and
Part 4 Valuations and valuation rolls
Valuation of Land Act 1963 10
(b) be the valuation as at the date on which the previous valuation
was made.
(3A) Where the Valuer-General causes a valuation to be made of land
under section 10 or 10A and the Valuer-General is satisfied that the
owner of the land is entitled to the benefit of this section, the
valuation of the land shall be made:
(a) taking into account the fact that the land is or contains a
heritage place; and
(b) disregarding any potential use of the land that is inconsistent
with the preservation of the value of the land or the relevant
part of the land as a heritage place,
and any such valuation shall operate for the purposes of any rating
or taxing Act on the basis of the valuation of the Valuer-General.
(4) Where the Valuer-General makes a valuation under subsection (2),
he shall inform the owner of the land, in writing, of the valuation and
of the owner's obligations under subsection (6).
(5) If at the time a liability to pay a rate, tax or impost on land arises the
land is owned by a person who subsequently establishes an
entitlement to the benefit of this section, neither the validity nor the
extent of the liability is affected by this section.
(6) Where land has been valued under this section and the land
ceases to be a heritage place, the owner shall within 28 days inform
the Valuer-General accordingly and shall furnish such further
information, if any, as the Valuer-General requires.
Maximum penalty: 15 penalty units.
(7) In this section:
heritage place, see section 4 of the Heritage Act 2011.
rating or taxing Act means an Act under which a rate, tax or
impost is levied or imposed on land.
11 Other valuations
(1) Subject to this Act, the Valuer-General shall cause such valuations
of or in relation to land in the Territory to be made:
(a) as are required by the Territory, an authority of the Territory,
the Minister, a rating authority or any other public authority or
local government council; or
Part 4 Valuations and valuation rolls
Valuation of Land Act 1963 11
(b) as are required by or under any law (other than this Act) in
force in the Territory,
and may make such other valuations of or in relation to land in the
Territory as he thinks fit.
(2) A valuation made in pursuance of this section may determine a
value as at a date earlier than the date on which the valuation was
made.
12 Value of certain improvements
(1) Where the Valuer-General makes a valuation of the unimproved
capital value of any land, he shall also make a valuation of:
(a) any site improvements on the land; and
(b) any improvements that, although not made on the land, have
been made for the purpose of draining the land or protecting
the land from inundation,
being improvements made within the immediately preceding period
of 15 years by the person who is the owner of the land at the date
on which the valuation was made.
(2) The Valuer-General shall not value any improvements under
subsection (1) at an amount exceeding the cost of making those
improvements at the date on which the valuation was made.
13 Effect of valuation
(1) Where, for the purpose of any law in force in the Territory, it is
necessary to ascertain the unimproved capital value, the improved
capital value or the annual value as at a specified time of any land:
(a) if the Valuer-General has made a valuation of the unimproved
capital value, the improved capital value or the annual value of
that land as at that time – the value determined by that
valuation; or
(b) if the Valuer-General has not made such a valuation as at that
time but has made a valuation of the unimproved capital
value, the improved capital value or the annual value of that
land as at an earlier time – the value determined by the last
such valuation,
shall, subject to subsection (2), be deemed for the purpose of that
law, unless the contrary intention appears in that law, to have been
the unimproved capital value, the improved capital value or the
annual value of that land at that first-mentioned time.
Part 4 Valuations and valuation rolls
Valuation of Land Act 1963 12
(2) An amount that is deemed by subsection (1) to be the unimproved
capital value of any land at any time shall be deemed to be reduced
by the value of the prescribed improvements on or appertaining to
that land, as determined by the Valuer-General in the valuation
made by him at the same time as he made the valuation of the
unimproved capital value of that land.
14 Land to be included in the one valuation
(1) Subject to this section, the Valuer-General shall make a separate
valuation of every parcel of ratable land.
(2) Where several parcels of adjoining land of the same tenure are
owned by the same person and:
(a) no part of those parcels of land is leased by the owner to any
person; or
(b) all the parcels of land are leased by the owner to the same
person,
the Valuer-General may include all the parcels of land in the one
valuation.
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to or in relation to a parcel of land
that is capable of separate ownership and on which there is erected
a building that is adapted to separate occupation.
(4) For the purposes of this section, parcels of land that are separated
by a public road shall not be deemed to adjoin one another.
14A Determination of limits of land
If any doubt arises as to the limits, for the purpose of making a
valuation, of a parcel of land, the limits shall be determined for that
purpose by the Valuer-General after considering all matters which
in his opinion are relevant.
15 Valuation rolls
(1) For the purposes of this Act, the Valuer-General must cause a
valuation roll to be prepared and maintained for all ratable land.
(2) A valuation roll may be in such form as the Valuer-General
determines.
Part 4 Valuations and valuation rolls
Valuation of Land Act 1963 13
(3) With respect to each parcel of ratable land, the Valuer-General
must cause to be recorded on the valuation roll for the rating
authority in respect of that land correct particulars of:
(a) the name of the owner of the land and the owner's last postal
address of which the Valuer-General has knowledge;
(b) the nature of the title to, and a description of, the land;
(c) the unimproved capital value, the improved capital value or
the annual value determined by, and as at the date of, the last
valuation made under section 10 or 10A; and
(d) the value of prescribed improvements on or appertaining to
land as determined by, and as at the date of, the last valuation
made under this Act,
and such other particulars, if any, as the Valuer-General
determines.
(4) The Valuer-General must, as soon as practicable after the making
of valuations in relation to ratable land under this Act, cause a copy
of the valuation roll containing those valuations to be furnished to
the rating authority in respect of that land.
(5) The Valuer-General must, as soon as practicable after the making
of each valuation of ratable land under section 10(2) or 10A(4),
provide a copy of the valuation to the rating authority in respect of
that land.
(6) The Valuer-General must, as soon as practicable after a variation of
a valuation of ratable land under Part 5 or 6, provide a copy of the
variation to the rating authority in respect of that land.
15A Error in valuation roll
Where there is found to be an error or omission in a valuation roll,
the Valuer-General shall:
(a) give notice in writing to the owner of the land of the error or
omission; and
(b) correct the error or omission.
Part 5 Objections to valuations
Valuation of Land Act 1963 14
16 Notice of valuations
(1) The Valuer-General must, as soon as practicable after making any
of the following valuations in relation to land, give notice of the
valuation to the owner of the land:
(a) the improved capital value;
(b) the annual value;
(c) the unimproved capital value;
(d) the value of prescribed improvements on or appertaining to
the land.
(2) If any of the valuations mentioned in subsection (1) are varied
under Part 5 or 6, the Valuer-General must, as soon as practicable,
give notice of the variation of the valuation to the owner of the land.
(3) A notice under this section must be in writing in accordance with the
approved form.
17 Validity of valuation not affected by failure to give notice
The validity of a valuation is not affected by reason of a failure to
give a notice of valuation in accordance with section 16.
17A Cost of valuations
(1) Where the Valuer-General causes a valuation to be made of land,
the cost of making the valuation is a debt due and payable to the
Territory by, where made under:
(a) section 11(1), the person, rating authority, public authority or
local government council requiring the valuation; or
(b) sections 10 or 10A, the rating authority in respect of the land.
(2) The Minister may, in respect of a valuation carried out under this
Act, exempt a person, authority or body from the application of
subsection (1) in respect of all or a part of the cost of the valuation.
Part 5 Objections to valuations
18 Objection to valuations
(1) An owner of land who receives a notice of valuation under
section 16 may object to the valuation made by the Valuer-General
in relation to the land.
Part 6 Review of valuations
Valuation of Land Act 1963 15
(2) An objection mentioned in subsection (1) must:
(a) be in writing in accordance with the approved form; and
(b) specify one or more of the prescribed grounds of objection
under section 19; and
(c) be lodged with the Valuer-General's office within 30 days after
notice of the valuation is given under section 16.
19 Prescribed grounds of objection
The prescribed grounds of objection to a valuation of the
unimproved capital value, the improved capital value or the annual
value of any land, or of the prescribed improvements on or
appertaining to any land are:
(a) that the values determined are too high or too low;
(b) that the description of the land is not correctly stated;
(c) that parcels of land that should be included in one valuation
have been separately valued; or
(d) that parcels of land that should be separately valued have
been included in the one valuation.
20 Decision of Valuer-General on objection
(1) If an objection is lodged with the Valuer-General under section 18,
the Valuer-General must consider the objection and may:
(a) allow it in whole or in part; or
(b) disallow it.
(2) The Valuer-General must give written notice to the objector, in
accordance with the approved form, of the decision on the objection
under subsection (1).
(3) A valuation is not affected by the lodging of an objection to the
valuation.
Part 6 Review of valuations
20A Review by NTCAT
(1) NTCAT has jurisdiction to review a decision of the Valuer-General
under section 20 to disallow an objection or allow it in part only.
Part 7 Land and Valuation Review Tribunal
Valuation of Land Act 1963 16
(2) The objector may apply to NTCAT for review of the
Valuer-General's decision.
(3) On an application under subsection (2) for review of a decision of
the Valuer-General on an objection under section 20, the
applicant's case is limited to the grounds that were specified in the
applicant's objection.
Note for section 20A
The Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2014 sets out the
procedure for applying to the Tribunal for review and other relevant matters in
relation to reviews.
Part 7 Land and Valuation Review Tribunal
21 Establishment of Land and Valuation Review Tribunal
(1) There shall be a Tribunal, to be known as the Land and Valuation
Review Tribunal.
(2) Subject to subsection (3), the Tribunal shall consist of:
(a) a President, who shall be appointed by the Minister; and
(b) such other person or persons as the Minister appoints.
(3) A person is not eligible for appointment as a member of the
Tribunal unless he is a Judge of the Supreme Court.
(4) The members of the Tribunal, other than the President, have
seniority according to the dates of their appointments.
22 Registries of Tribunal
(1) There shall be a Registry of the Tribunal at Darwin in the Territory.
(2) The Minister may authorize the establishment of additional
Registries of the Tribunal at such places in the Territory as he
determines.
23 Officers of Tribunal
(1) The Minister shall appoint a Registrar of the Tribunal and may
appoint such other officers of the Tribunal as are necessary.
(2) An officer of the Tribunal shall perform such functions and exercise
such powers as are prescribed.
Part 7 Land and Valuation Review Tribunal
Valuation of Land Act 1963 17
24 Sittings of the Tribunal
(1) Sittings of the Tribunal shall be held at such times and places in the
Territory as the President of the Tribunal, being present in the
Territory, determines.
(2) The powers and functions of the Tribunal shall be exercised and
performed by one member of the Tribunal.
(3) The President of the Tribunal may, from time to time, make
arrangements as to which member of the Tribunal is to exercise
and perform the powers and functions of the Tribunal.
(4) A member of the Tribunal may sit and exercise and perform the
powers and functions of the Tribunal notwithstanding that another
member of the Tribunal is at the same time sitting and exercising
and performing those powers and functions.
(5) A power conferred on the President of the Tribunal by
subsection (1) or (3) may be exercised by the senior member of the
Tribunal present in the Territory and able to exercise the power if
there is a vacancy in the office of President of the Tribunal or if the
President of the Tribunal is not present in the Territory or is unable
to exercise the power.
27 Procedure before Tribunal
At the hearing of a reference to the Tribunal:
(a) the procedure of the Tribunal is, subject to this Act, within the
discretion of the Tribunal;
(b) the Tribunal is not bound to act in a formal manner and is not
bound by any rules of evidence but may inform itself on any
matter in such manner as it thinks fit; and
(c) the Tribunal shall act without regard to technicalities and legal
forms.
28 Representation before Tribunal
At the hearing of a reference to the Tribunal, a party may be
represented by a legal practitioner having the right to practise in the
Supreme Court or by any other person authorized by the party in
writing.
29 Decisions of Tribunal
(1) Upon a reference to the Tribunal, the Tribunal shall give a decision
in writing.
Part 8 Miscellaneous matters
Valuation of Land Act 1963 18
(2) Upon the request, made at the hearing by the Valuer-General or by
the person at whose request the reference was made, the Tribunal
shall, when giving its decision, state in writing its findings of fact and
its reasons in law for the decision.
30 Certificate as to costs
(1) When the Tribunal gives its decision it shall, at the same time,
certify the amount which, in its opinion, would be a reasonable
amount to be paid by the Valuer-General or the objector, as the
case may be, in respect of costs incurred by the reference to the
Tribunal.
(2) An amount so certified is recoverable as a debt, payable by the
Territory or the objector, as the case may be, in any court of
competent jurisdiction.
31 Decision of Tribunal not to be challenged
A decision of the Tribunal shall not be challenged, appealed
against, reviewed, quashed or called in question, or be subject to
prohibition, mandamus, certiorari or injunction, in the Supreme
Court on any account whatever.
Part 8 Miscellaneous matters
40 Certified copies of entries in valuation roll
(1) The Valuer-General must, on written application by a member of
the public and payment of the prescribed fee, give the member of
the public a copy of an entry in a valuation roll certified by the
Valuer-General to be a true copy of that entry.
(2) In any proceedings, a document purporting to be such a certified
copy of an entry in a valuation roll shall be received in evidence
and, unless the contrary is shown, be deemed without further proof
to be a true record of that entry.
40A Keeping and public inspection of valuation rolls
A rating authority shall keep a copy of the latest valuation roll
furnished to it under this Act at its offices, and the Valuer-General
shall keep a copy of the latest valuation roll at his office, available
for inspection by the public without charge during the hours during
which those offices are, or his office is, as the case requires, open
for business.
Part 8 Miscellaneous matters
Valuation of Land Act 1963 19
41 Valuer-General to have access to buildings, documents, &c.
(1) The Valuer-General, or any person authorized in writing by him, is
entitled, either alone or with such other persons to assist him as he
considers necessary, at all reasonable times during the day, to full
and free access to all lands, buildings, places, books and papers for
the purposes of this Act and, for those purposes, may make copies
of, or take extracts from, any such books or papers.
(2) A person shall not hinder or obstruct the Valuer-General or any
other person in the exercise of his powers under subsection (1).
Maximum penalty: 1.5 penalty units.
42 Powers of Valuer-General
(1) The Valuer-General, or a person authorized in writing by him, may,
by notice in writing, require any person in the Territory to answer
any question put to him by the Valuer-General or authorized person
or to furnish to the Valuer-General or authorized person such
information in the possession or under the control of the person, or
to which the person has access, as the Valuer-General or
authorized person requires for the purposes of this Act.
(2) A person shall not, without lawful excuse (proof of which lies upon
him), fail to answer a question put to him by the Valuer-General or
an authorized person, or to furnish any information required by the
Valuer-General or an authorized person, in pursuance of
subsection (1).
Maximum penalty: 1.5 penalty units.
(3) The Valuer-General may, for the purposes of this section, serve on
the owner of any land such forms as may be prescribed to be
completed and returned to the Valuer-General within such time as
the Valuer-General determines and specifies on the forms.
(4) The Valuer-General may, if he thinks fit, require a person by whom
a form is completed and returned under subsection (3) to verify the
contents by statutory declaration.
(5) A person shall not fail to complete and return a form served on him
under subsection (3) or return a form containing information that is
false or misleading in a material particular or fail to comply with a
requirement made under subsection (4).
Maximum penalty: 1.5 penalty units.
Part 8 Miscellaneous matters
Valuation of Land Act 1963 20
43 Notice of change of ownership
(1) Subject to subsection (4), where a person becomes, or ceases to
be, the owner of any land, he shall, within 30 days, cause notice of
that fact, in accordance with the approved form, to be given to the
Valuer-General.
Maximum penalty: $40.
(2) Subject to subsection (4), where a person subdivides any land, he
shall forthwith cause notice of the subdivision to be given to the
Valuer-General, in accordance with the approved form, together
with a plan of the subdivision.
Maximum penalty: $40.
(3) An offence of contravening or failing to comply with this section is a
regulatory offence.
(4) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply where the Registrar-General
has entered into an agreement under section 205 of the Land Title
Act 2000 to provide the information required by or under those
subsections to be given.
44 Service of notices, &c.
A notice or requirement to be given or made under this Act by the
Valuer-General may be given to a person:
(a) by sending it by post addressed to the person at the place of
residence or business of the person last known to the Valuer-
General; or
(b) if the Valuer-General does not know a place of residence or
business to which a notice or requirement may be so sent – by
publishing it in the Gazette.
45 Change of ownership of land
(1) A change in the ownership of land to which a valuation by the
Valuer-General has been made, does not affect any of the
following:
(a) the validity of any notice of the valuation given before the
change to the former owner;
(b) any objection to the valuation or application for review made
before the change by the former owner;
Part 9 Transitional matters for Lands, Planning and Environment Legislation
Amendment Act 2025
Valuation of Land Act 1963 21
(c) the duty of the Valuer-General to consider an objection to the
valuation;
(d) the power of NTCAT to review the valuation.
(2) The new owner of land is, for this Act, taken to have been, at all
times, the owner of the land and any act or thing done by the former
owner or any notice given to the former owner is, taken to have
been done by, or given to, the new owner.
47 Regulations
The Administrator may make regulations, not inconsistent with this
Act, prescribing all matters required or permitted by this Act to be
prescribed, or necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying
out or giving effect to this Act.
Part 9 Transitional matters for Lands, Planning and
Environment Legislation Amendment Act 2025
48 Decisions reviewable under Part VA or VI
(1) For section 20A, as inserted by section 68 of the amending Act, a
decision of the Valuer-General includes a decision that,
immediately before the commencement, was subject to review
under Part VA or VI as in force before the commencement, but for
which a review had not been lodged or considered before the
commencement.
(2) In this section:
amending Act means the Lands, Planning and Environment
Legislation Amendment Act 2025.
commencement means the commencement of section 68 of the
amending Act.
ENDNOTES
Valuation of Land Act 1963 22
ENDNOTES
1 KEY Key to abbreviations
amd = amended od = order
app = appendix om = omitted
bl = by-law pt = Part
ch = Chapter r = regulation/rule
cl = clause rem = remainder
div = Division renum = renumbered
exp = expires/expired rep = repealed
f = forms s = section
Gaz = Gazette sch = Schedule
hdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision
ins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation
lt = long title sub = substituted
nc = not commenced
2 LIST OF LEGISLATION
Valuation of Land Ordinance 1963 (Act No. 69, 1963)
Assent date 16 September 1963
Commenced 10 February 1964 (Gaz No. 7A, 6 February 1964, p 31A)
Valuation of Land Ordinance 1965 (Act No. 22, 1965)
Assent date 16 August 1965
Commenced 10 February 1964 (s 2, s 2 Valuation of Land Ordinance 1963
(Act No. 69, 1963) and Gaz No. 7A, 6 February 1964, p 31A)
Valuation of Land Ordinance 1968 (Act No. 27, 1968)
Assent date 18 June 1968
Commenced 18 June 1968
Valuation of Land Ordinance (No. 2) 1968 (Act No. 70, 1968)
Assent date 7 October 1968
Commenced 7 October 1968
Valuation of Land Ordinance 1969 (Act No. 58, 1969)
Assent date 10 December 1969
Commenced 10 December 1969
Valuation of Land Ordinance 1973 (Act No. 55, 1973)
Assent date 13 September 1973
Commenced 1 October 1973 (Gaz No. 39, 27 September 1973, p 330)
ENDNOTES
Valuation of Land Act 1963 23
Ordinances Revision Ordinance 1973 (Act No. 87, 1973)
Assent date 11 December 1973
Commenced 11 December 1973 (s 12(2))
Amending Legislation
Ordinances Revision Ordinance 1974 (Act No. 34, 1974)
Assent date 26 August 1974
Commenced 11 December 1973 (s 3(2))
Ordinances Revision Ordinance (No. 2) 1974 (Act No. 69, 1974)
Assent date 24 October 1974
Commenced 11 December 1973 (s 3)
Ordinances Revision Ordinance 1976 (Act No. 27, 1976)
Assent date 28 June 1976
Commenced ss 1, 2 and 6: 28 June 1976 (s 6(2)); ss 3 and 4:
11 December 1973; s 5: 24 October 1974
Transfer of Powers (Self-Government) Ordinance 1978 (Act No. 54, 1978)
Assent date 1 July 1978
Commenced 1 July 1978 (s 8)
Statute Law Revision Act 1978 (Act No. 95, 1978)
Assent date 5 September 1978
Commenced 5 September 1978
Statute Law Revision Act 1983 (Act No. 58, 1983)
Assent date 28 November 1983
Commenced 28 November 1983
Criminal Law (Regulatory Offences) Act 1983 (Act No. 68, 1983)
Assent date 28 November 1983
Commenced 1 January 1984 (s 2, s 2 Criminal Code Act 1983 (Act No. 47,
1983), Gaz G46, 18 November 1983, p 11 and Gaz G8,
26 February 1986, p 5)
Valuation of Land Amendment Act 1987 (Act No. 15, 1987)
Assent date 25 June 1987
Commenced 28 July 1987 (Gaz G30, 28 July 1987, p 5)
Valuation of Land Amendment Act 1991 (Act No. 56, 1991)
Assent date 26 September 1991
Commenced 1 November 1991 (s 2, s 2 Heritage Conservation Act 1991
(Act No. 39, 1991) and Gaz S58, 1 November 1991)
Valuation of Land Amendment Act (No. 2) 1991 (Act No. 57, 1991)
Assent date 26 September 1991
Commenced 26 September 1991
Valuation of Land Amendment Act 1994 (Act No. 82, 1994)
Assent date 30 December 1994
Commenced 30 December 1994
ENDNOTES
Valuation of Land Act 1963 24
Sentencing (Consequential Amendments) Act 1996 (Act No. 17, 1996)
Assent date 19 April 1996
Commenced 1 July 1996 (s 2, s 2 Sentencing Act 1995 (Act No. 39, 1995)
and Gaz S15, 13 June 1996)
Residential Tenancies (Consequential Amendments) Act 1999 (Act No. 46, 1999)
Assent date 10 November 1999
Commenced 1 March 2000 (s 2, s 2 Residential Tenancies Act 1999 (Act
No. 45, 1999) and Gaz G8, 1 March 2000, p 2)
Land Title (Consequential Amendments) Act 2000 (Act No. 45, 2000)
Assent date 12 September 2000
Commenced 1 December 2000 (s 2, s 2 Land Title Act 2000 (Act No. 2,
2000) and Gaz G38, 27 September 2000, p 2)
Legal Profession (Consequential Amendments) Act 2007 (Act No. 7, 2007)
Assent date 17 May 2007
Commenced s 10: 1 July 2007 (Gaz G26, 27 June 2007, p 3);
rem: 17 May 2007
Heritage Act 2011 (Act No. 34, 2011)
Assent date 15 November 2011
Commenced 1 October 2012 (Gaz S43, 31 July 2012)
Penalties Amendment (Miscellaneous) Act 2013 (Act No. 23, 2013)
Assent date 12 July 2013
Commenced 28 August 2013 (Gaz G35, 28 August 2013, p 2)
Local Government Amendment Act 2014 (Act No. 19, 2014)
Assent date 2 June 2014
Commenced s 16: 1 July 2014; s 18: 1 December 2014; rem: 2 June 2014
(s 2)
Liquor Act 2019 (Act No. 29, 2019)
Assent date 3 September 2019
Commenced 1 October 2019 (Gaz G39, 25 September 2019, p 2)
Statute Law Revision Act 2023 (Act No. 4, 2023)
Assent date 2 March 2023
Commenced 3 March 2023 (s 2)
Lands, Planning and Environment Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (Act No. 25, 2025)
Assent date 12 September 2025
Commenced pt 6: nc; rem: 13 September 2025 (s 2(1))
3 SAVINGS AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS
s 10(5) Valuation of Land Ordinance 1973 (Act No. 55, 1973)
4 GENERAL AMENDMENTS
General amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table
of amendments to this reprint) are made by the Ordinances Revision
Ordinance 1973 (Act No. 87, 1973) (as amended) to the following provisions:
ss 4, 9, 10, 12 – 14, 17, 18, 21, 24 – 26, 41 – 43.
ENDNOTES
Valuation of Land Act 1963 25
5 GENERAL AMENDMENTS
General amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table
of amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation
Amendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22, 2018) to: ss 1, 8A, 8D, 9, 10C and 43.
6 LIST OF AMENDMENTS
lt amd No. 58, 1983, s 4
pt I hdg amd No. 25, 2025, s 76
ss 1 – 2 amd No. 58, 1983, s 4
s 3 amd No. 22, 1965, s 3; No. 55, 1973, s 4
rep No. 58, 1983, s 4
s 4 amd No. 27, 1968, s 2; No. 70, 1968, s 2; No. 55, 1973, s 5; No. 54, 1978,
s 4; No. 58, 1983, s 4; No. 15, 1987, s 4; No. 19, 2014, s 26; No. 4, 2023,
s 15; No. 25, 2025, s 63
pt II hdg amd No. 25, 2025, s 76
s 5 amd No. 58, 1969, s 2; No. 55, 1973, s 6; No. 54, 1978, s 4; No. 58, 1983, s 4
s 6 rep No. 58, 1969, s 3
ins No. 55, 1973, s 7
s 7 rep No. 58, 1969, s 3
ins No. 55, 1973, s 7
amd No. 58, 1983, s 4
s 7A ins No. 4, 2023, s 16
s 7B ins No. 25, 2025, s 64
pt III hdg rep No. 55, 1973, s 8
pt IV hdg amd No. 25, 2025, s 76
s 8 rep No. 55, 1973, s 8
ins No. 15, 1987, s 5
amd No. 25, 2025, s 76
s 8A ins No. 15, 1987, s 5
amd No. 46, 1999, s 9; No. 25, 2025, s 76
ss 8B – 8C ins No. 15, 1987, s 5
amd No. 25, 2025, s 76
s 8D ins No. 15, 1987, s 5
amd No. 46, 1999, s 9; No. 25, 2025, s 76
s 9 amd No. 55, 1973, s 9; No. 58, 1983, s 4; No. 15, 1987, s 6; No. 29, 2019,
s 427; No. 25, 2025, s 76
s 10 amd No. 55, 1973, s 10; No. 87, 1973, s 12
s 10A ins No. 15, 1987, s 7
amd No. 82, 1994, s 3; No. 25, 2025, s 65
s 10B ins No. 15, 1987, s 7
s 10C ins No. 56, 1991, s 3
amd No. 82, 1994, s 4; No. 34, 2011, s 170; No. 23, 2013, s 12
s 11 amd No. 54, 1978, s 4; No. 58, 1983, s 4; No. 15, 1987, s 8; No. 19, 2014,
s 26
s 12 amd No. 55, 1973, s 11
s 13 amd No. 22, 1965, s 4; No. 55, 1973, s 12; No. 15, 1987, s 9
s 14 amd No. 55, 1973, s 13
s 14A ins No. 70, 1968, s 3
amd No. 55, 1973, s 14
s 15 amd No. 55, 1973, s 15; No. 87, 1973, s 12; No. 58, 1983, s 4; No. 15, 1987,
s 10; No. 25, 2025, s 76
s 15A ins No. 15, 1987, s 11
s 16 amd No. 55, 1973, s 16; No. 15, 1987, s 12
sub No. 25, 2025, s 66
ENDNOTES
Valuation of Land Act 1963 26
s 17A ins No. 15, 1987, s 13
amd No. 19, 2014, s 26
pt V hdg amd No. 2025, s 76
s 18 amd No. 55, 1973, s 17; No. 15, 1987, s 14
sub No. 25, 2025, s 67
s 19 amd No. 55, 1973, s 18; No. 15, 1987, s 15
s 20 amd No. 55, 1973, s 19
sub No. 25, 2025, s 68
pt 6 hdg ins No. 25, 2025, s 68
s 20A ins No. 15, 1987, s 16
amd No. 4, 2023, s 17
sub No. 25, 2025, s 68
pt VA hdg ins No. 15, 1987, s 16
rep No. 25, 2025, s 69
pt VA
div 1 hdg ins No. 15, 1987, s 16
rep No. 25, 2025, s 69
s 20B ins No. 15, 1987, s 16; No. 7, 2007, s 16
rep No. 25, 2025, s 69
s 20C ins No. 15, 1987, s 16
amd No. 4, 2023, s 18
rep No. 25, 2025, s 69
ss 20D – 20E ins No. 15, 1987, s 16
rep No. 25, 2025, s 69
s 20F ins No. 15, 1987, s 16
amd No. 17, 1996, s 6
rep No. 25, 2025, s 69
pt VA
div 2 hdg ins No. 15, 1987, s 16
rep No. 25, 2025, s 69
s 20G ins No. 15, 1987, s 16
amd No. 4, 2023, s 19
rep No. 25, 2025, s 69
s 20H ins No. 15, 1987, s 16
amd No. 4, 2023, s 20
rep No. 25, 2025, s 69
s 20J ins No. 15, 1987, s 16
rep No. 25, 2025, s 69
s 20K ins No. 15, 1987, s 16
amd No. 23, 2013, s 12
rep No. 25, 2025, s 69
ss 20L – 20M ins No. 15, 1987, s 16
rep No. 25, 2025, s 69
pt VI hdg sub No. 25, 2025, s 70
s 21 amd No. 70, 1968, s 4; No. 25, 2025, s 71
ss 22 – 23 amd No. 54, 1978, s 4
s 24 amd No. 70, 1968, s 5
s 25 amd No. 55, 1973, s 20; No. 15, 1987, s 17
rep No. 25, 2025, s 72
s 26 amd No. 58, 1983, s 4; No. 15, 1987, s 18
rep No. 25, 2025, s 72
s 27 amd No. 58, 1983, s 4
s 28 amd No. 7, 2007, s 16
s 30 amd No. 15, 1987, s 19
s 31 amd No. 22, 1965, s 5
pt VII hdg rep No. 55, 1973, s 21
pt VIII hdg amd No. 2025, s 76
ss 32 – 39 rep No. 55, 1973, s 21
ENDNOTES
Valuation of Land Act 1963 27
s 40 amd No. 25, 2025, s 73
s 40A ins No. 55, 1973, s 22
amd No. 58, 1983, s 4; No. 15, 1987, s 20
s 41 amd No. 27, 1968, s 3; No. 58, 1983, s 4; No. 23, 2013, s 12
s 42 amd No. 27, 1968, s 3; No. 58, 1983, s 4; No. 15, 1987, s 21; No. 23, 2013,
s 12
s 43 amd No. 27, 1968, s 3; No. 55, 1973, s 23; No. 87, 1973, s 12; No. 58, 1983,
s 4; No. 68, 1983, s 124; No. 57, 1991, s 2; No. 45, 2000, s 11; No. 23, 2013,
s 12; No. 2025, s 76
s 44 amd No. 58, 1983, s 4
s 45 amd No. 58, 1983, s 4; No. 15, 1987, s 22
sub No. 25, 2025, s 74
s 46 rep No. 58, 1983, s 4
s 47 amd No. 95, 1978, s 14; No. 58, 1983, s 4
pt 9 hdg ins No. 25, 2025, s 75
s 48 ins No. 25, 2025, s 75