Livestock Health and Pest Authority rates

The rates you pay to your local Livestock Health and Pest Authority allow the authority to fund the services it provides to landholders and contribute to other important statewide functions.

The Rural Lands Protection Act 1998 requires authorities to charge rates on land that is deemed to be rateable under the Act.

Rates are charged on a two-tier basis, involving a general rate paid by all landholders and a supplementary animal health rate.

General rate

The general rate is payable on all rateable land. It has a base charge and an amount payable on the notional carrying capacity of the land (for more information see 'How are my rates calculated?'). Income from the general rate is spent on pest animal control activities, and general administration.

Animal health rate

The animal health rate is payable if you indicated on the Annual Return form that you had at least 50 stock units (sheep equivalents) on your property as at 30 June in the previous year. It is also payable if the Annual Return is not lodged by the due date. This rate is comprised of a base charge and an amount payable on the notional carrying capacity of the land.

Your local Livestock Health and Pest Authority allocates income from this rate to animal health services. The local administration of the Stock Diseases Act 1923 and related legislation is a key component of such work.

Special purpose rates

At times, your Livestock Health and Pest Authority may raise a special purpose rate. For example, a special purpose rate is charged on all rateable land for the control of declared pest insects. This rate is collected for the NSW Department of Primary Industries to recoup its expenses in controlling such pests. For more information about this rate see 'About the pest insect special rate'. Sometimes an authority may charge another special purpose rate for specified purposes.

A Livestock Health and Pest Authority may at times collect statutory levies on behalf of other authorities, such as the NSW Food Authority.

Paying your rates

Rates are levied for the period 1 January to 31 December. Rates notices are sent out early in the year. See 'How do I make my rates payment?'.