Paying rates

Council has Adopted the Valuation and Declaration of Rates and Charges for 2023-2024

Your rates help us deliver a wide range of services to benefit you and the wider community. You have the flexibility to pay them in full by 12th September 2023 or divide the payment into four (4) instalments due:

• 12 September 2023
• 5 December 2023
• 5 March 2024
• 4 June 2024

If you're unable to make payment by the due date, please contact us on 8563 8444. We're here to help and understand that everyone faces challenges, so we'll do our best to provide a suitable payment arrangement for you.

Note that if you don't contact council and fail to pay your rates by the due date a late payment fee may apply.

You have several convenient options for paying your rates. You can choose to pay them online, in person, over the phone, at your local post office, by EFT or through BPAY. It's up to you!

You can pay your rates in person with our friendly customer support team at Nuriootpa Principal Council Office, Lyndoch Council Branch Office and Mount Pleasant Council Branch Office during business hours.

For your convenience, when paying in person we offer the option to pay by EFTPOS, cash or cheque.

To make things easier and more convenient, we accept online payments for rates.

This means you can pay your rates using a computer or mobile device. It's a flexible system that allows you to pay on the go.

The council provides a convenient payment option of BPAY, allowing you to pay your rates through your own financial institution using the biller code and reference number printed on your rates notice.

You can make payments directly from your cheque, savings, or credit card account using BPAY.

Using BPAY gives you more control over your payments and reduces the amount of personal information you need to share.

Similar to BPAY payments, you can make payment by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) directly through your financial institution by using the details from your rates notice.

You have the option to pay rates through Australia Post, either in person at any Australia Post Office, on the AusPost app, online at Post Billpay or by phone on 13 18 16

We understand that everyone's situation is different, and that's why you can request flexible ways to pay your rates. Whether you'd like to pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly, you can choose the option that best works for you.

If you wish to set up a payment plan, please contact us on 8563 8444.

If you're experiencing financial difficulty, you may be eligible for support to pay your rates. We aim to assist by providing an understanding of the options available to manage payment of rates that are outstanding. Please refer to our Financial Hardship Policy further information.

Please email rates@barossa.sa.gov.au or phone 8563 8444 to discuss the options that may best suit your circumstance.

To make an application for hardship, you will be encouraged to make contact with an accredited financial counsellor to assist you with this process.

All applications are treated confidentially and are assessed case by case.

Ratepayers who hold a State Seniors Card (or who are eligible to hold one or have applied for one) are able to apply to Council to postpone payment of rates on their principal place of residence, and no other person, other than your spouse, has an interest as an owner of the property or if they are experiencing financial hardship.

Seniors must pay at least $500 of their rates each year but can elect to postpone payment of any amount above this.

Postponed rates remain as a charge on the land and are not required to be repaid until the property is sold or disposed of.

Interest will be charged and compounded monthly on the total amount postponed, until the debt is paid.

To ensure fairness and uphold our financial obligations, a small initial fine of 2% will be incurred on any late payment.

Rate instalments not paid on or before the due date are regarded as being in arrears and will incur the following penalties:

• A fine 2% of the amount due will be immediately added to the amount due; and
• At the end of each month thereafter, interest (at the rate prescribed in the Local Government Act 1999) will be added on any balance in arrears (including interest)