Northern Territory Pensioner Rates Concession 2026 — How Much and How to Claim

The 2026/27 NT Rates Concession at a Glance

The NT Concession Scheme provides two property-related concessions for eligible pensioners and card holders in the Northern Territory:

• Council rates concession: 62.5% of annual general rates, capped at $200 per household per financial year
• Garbage concession: a fixed credit varying by council area, up to $150 per household per financial year

These concessions are per household, not per person. If both partners are eligible, the property still receives one $200 rates cap and one garbage credit.

The $200 rates cap has remained steady — it is not indexed annually. The garbage concession varies significantly depending on where you live: Darwin homeowners receive $46.25, Palmerston $47.50, Alice Springs $52, Katherine $45, Litchfield $25, and Wagait Shire gets the maximum $150. Remote and regional councils fall at various points in between.

Who Qualifies

You need all three of the following to access rates concessions through the NTCS:

1. Australian citizenship or permanent residency
2. NT residency for at least 183 days in the financial year
3. An eligible Centrelink or DVA payment — Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment, Parenting Payment (Single), DVA Gold Card (TPI or War Widow/Widower), DVA Orange Card, DVA Pensioner Concession Card, or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card through DVA

You also need to be a registered titleholder of the property and occupy it as your principal place of residence. Investment properties, holiday homes, and properties held in a company name are excluded.

How the Concession Is Applied

The NT Concession and Recognition Unit (NTCRU) manages the scheme centrally. Once you are an approved NTCS member with your property registered, the NTCRU notifies your local council. The council then applies the concession credits directly to your annual rate notice — you see the deduction as separate line items for rates relief and garbage relief.

If you joined mid-year or bought a property partway through the rating period, concessions are calculated pro-rata from the date of approval or settlement.

Claiming for the First Time

Apply to the NTCRU with your 100 points of identification, Centrelink or DVA card, and proof of NT residency. Processing takes about 20 working days. After membership is confirmed, register your property by submitting your current rate notice. If you already paid the full amount, you can get a direct bank reimbursement by also submitting proof of payment and a Vendor Creation Form.

Contact the NTCRU on 1800 777 704 or at [email protected].

Beyond the $200 Cap

If $200 does not cover enough of your rates bill, your local council may offer additional financial hardship relief — payment plans, interest waivers, rate deferrals, or in some cases partial rate waivers. You must claim the NTCS concession first. Each council has its own policy and application process.

For the complete application workflow, council-by-council details, and the annual renewal calendar, see our NT Pensioner Rates Concessions guide.

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