NT Concession Scheme All Benefits 2026-2027 — Full List of Concessions

The Full NTCS Package for 2026-2027

Most people find the NT Concession Scheme through one specific bill — usually the council rate notice — and never realise how much else is covered. The NTCS membership can unlock concessions across household bills and other costs. For a homeowner claiming everything, the total relief can exceed $2,800 per year.

Here's the complete list for the 2026-2027 financial year:

Council rates — 62.5% of annual property rates, capped at $200 per household per year. Applied directly to your rate notice by the council after the NTCRU registers your property.

Garbage collection — a fixed annual credit that varies by council area, capped at $150 per household per year. Darwin gets $46.25, Palmerston $47.50, Alice Springs $52, Katherine $45, Litchfield $25, and remote councils range up to $150 (Wagait). Applied alongside the rates concession on the same notice.

Electricity — $1.274 per day fixed credit plus $0.091 per kWh, capped at $1,200 per household per year (approximately 8,000 kWh). Administered by Jacana Energy or Power and Water Corporation — billed separately from council rates.

Water — volumetric and fixed daily credit, capped at $800 per household per year (approximately 471 kL). Administered by Power and Water Corporation.

Sewerage — $1.332 per day fixed credit, capped at $486.12 per household per year. Also administered by Power and Water Corporation.

Motor vehicle registration — $154 per year discount on one vehicle registration.

Driver licence renewal — the NTCS also provides a concession on driver licence renewal.

Prescription spectacles — up to $502.20 every two years.

Why Council Rates and Utilities Are Separate

One of the biggest sources of confusion: electricity, water, and sewerage concessions don't appear on your council rate notice. In the NT, utility charges are billed separately through Power and Water Corporation or Jacana Energy. The council rate notice only covers general property rates and garbage collection.

This means you need to register your NTCS membership with your utility providers as well. When you receive your NTCS membership confirmation, use your Member ID to register with Power and Water for water and sewerage concessions, and with Jacana Energy for the electricity concession. The NTCRU can walk you through this if you call 1800 777 704.

People who only register their concession with the council are leaving up to $2,486.12 per year in utility concessions unclaimed.

One Membership Starts the Process

A single NTCS membership application — with your 100-point ID, qualifying Centrelink or DVA card, and proof of NT residency — establishes scheme eligibility. You must register separately with the relevant utility providers to receive their concessions; use your Member ID with Power and Water Corporation for water and sewerage and with Jacana Energy for electricity.

The qualifying payments are the same across all concessions: Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment, Parenting Payment (Single), or an eligible DVA card (Gold Card, Orange Card, Pensioner Concession Card, or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card).

All concessions are per household, not per person. Two eligible members in the same home can't double the caps.

Concessions Not in the NTCS

A few related benefits sit outside the NTCS and require separate applications:

• NT Seniors Recognition Scheme (NTSRS) — the $550 annual prepaid card for residents aged 65+, no means test. Separate application, separate scheme.
• Council financial hardship — payment plans, interest waivers, and rate deferrals under the Local Government Act 2019 (NT). Applied for directly through your local council, not through the NTCS.
• Commonwealth Rent Assistance — for pensioners renting rather than owning. Applied through Centrelink.

The NT Pensioner Rates Concession Guide focuses on the council rates and garbage concessions, including the full application workflow, the 100-point ID checklist, and what to do when expected credits don't appear on your rate notice.

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