Creating a payment schedule
What is AutoPay and can I use it?
AutoPay is an online service enabling you to pay land tax and vacant residential land tax assessments, from the 2019 land tax year, by instalments, including overdue amounts.
If you have received an assessment for a land tax year before 2019, you are eligible if:
- your liability is $100 or more
- you are a vacant residential land tax customer
- you are a land tax customer who has AutoPay information displayed on your assessment notice.
Trust accounts that can only make payments via electronic funds transfer (EFT) or cheque are unable to use this service.
Overdue amounts
If your overdue liability is $100 or more, you can use AutoPay. If you have multiple overdue assessments, they must all be included in a single payment schedule as they cannot be split across multiple payment schedules.
Is there an alternative to using AutoPay?
Yes. Payment options are outlined on your assessment notice and on our land tax payment page.
Does it cost more to pay by AutoPay?
No, it does not cost more to pay by AutoPay.
How do I set up a payment schedule?
You can set up a payment schedule by logging in to AutoPay. Read more information about setting up a payment schedule on this page.
What is the minimum liability for a payment schedule?
The minimum liability for using AutoPay is $100.
Is there a deadline for setting up my payment schedule?
Yes, you should set up your payment schedule by the 'set up by' date listed on your assessment notice.
If you miss the 'set up by' date, you have up until the due date on your assessment notice to set up your payment schedule. However, the longer you wait, the less time you have to make your payments. For example, land tax payments can be spread over 38 weeks but if you don’t set up a schedule until the 10th week after your assessment issue date, you will only have 28 weeks over which you can spread payments.
What happens when an assessment becomes overdue?
If you miss the due date on your assessment notice, you need to set up a payment schedule for your overdue assessment.
If you already have a payment schedule for overdue amounts and another assessment becomes overdue, your existing schedule will be cancelled and you will need to set up a new one.
Can I choose the start date of my payment schedule?
No. If the tax you are paying is not overdue, AutoPay automatically schedules the first payment to occur the day after you create your payment schedule.
If you are setting up a payment schedule for an overdue amount, your first payment occurs:
- 14 days after you set up a fortnightly or monthly schedule, or
- the next day if you set up a single payment.
I live overseas, can I still pay via AutoPay?
Yes, as long as you have an Australian bank account for direct debit, or a Visa or Mastercard debit or credit card.
AutoPay is available between 2am and 10pm Australian Eastern Standard Time.
Do I have to set up a new schedule each year?
Yes, because your tax liability can change each year, you must log in to AutoPay each year and create a new payment schedule.
How is my privacy protected?
AutoPay does not store your banking or card details. When you create a payment schedule our bank, Westpac, facilitates each of your scheduled payments. The contact details you provide, such as your name, address and phone number, are stored securely by us. The State Revenue Office complies with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 and does not disclose any information, including personal information, collected by it unless it is authorised by law, or has the person's consent. More information is available in our Information Privacy Policy.
Payment
What payment methods are available?
Payments can be made via:
- direct debit from your bank account
- Visa debit or credit card, or
- Mastercard.
A card processing fee of 0.45% applies to all credit card transactions.
Can I use BPAY to make my scheduled payments?
While you cannot use BPAY with AutoPay, you can use BPAY to pay your land tax by the 'Pay in full’ due date on your assessment. To pay by BPAY, you need the Biller Code and Reference Number on your assessment notice.
How frequently can I schedule payments in AutoPay?
Payments can be scheduled:
- fortnightly
- monthly, or
- in 4 equal payments.
For overdue assessments, payments can be scheduled:
- fortnightly
- monthly, or
- in a single payment.
How long can my payment plan be?
The length of payment plans depends on the type of assessment:
- Land tax payments can be spread over 38 weeks from the issue date listed on your assessment notice.
- Vacant residential land tax payments can be spread over 17 weeks from the issue date listed on your assessment notice.
- All overdue assessment payments can be spread over 12 months from when you create your payment schedule.
Can I pay my land tax by 4 instalments like I did in previous years?
Yes, AutoPay enables you to pay land tax in 4 equal payments over 38 weeks, provided your assessment is not overdue.
What is the minimum payment amount?
The minimum payment amount is $20.
What if I make a payment outside the payment schedule?
Current assessments
The payment schedule continues as planned until the amount owing on your assessment reaches zero, at which time AutoPay adjusts the schedule to ensure no further payments are taken. If the due date listed on your assessment has not passed, you can cancel your schedule and set up a new one to factor in your current balance.
Overdue assessments
Provided you do not make any payments that are higher than the final scheduled payment, the schedule continues as planned until the amount owing on your assessment reaches zero, at which time AutoPay adjusts your final payment to take the correct amount. If you make payments that exceed the final payment in your schedule, please contact us on 13 21 61.
What if a payment falls on a public holiday or weekend?
If this happens, payment occurs on the first business day after the scheduled date.
How can I identify AutoPay payments on my bank or credit card statement?
AutoPay payments have the reference ‘SRO AutoPay’ alongside them.
Reviewing your payment schedule
Can the due dates of a payment schedule be extended or changed?
No, once the payment schedule has been set up, you cannot change payment dates. However, up until the 'Pay in full' due date listed on your assessment notice, you can cancel the existing schedule and create a new one. To cancel a payment schedule for an overdue amount, please call us on 13 21 61.
What happens to my payment schedule if I request an amendment to my assessment?
Your payment schedule continues until there is an update applied by the State Revenue Office. This ensures payments are received on time and you avoid future interest on overdue amounts.
Will I get a reminder when a payment is about to be made?
You can choose to receive an email reminder 3 days before each payment is due, unless your assessment is overdue, in which case you automatically receive these reminders.
How do I view my current payment schedule?
Log in to AutoPay to view your payment schedule.
Can I cancel my payment schedule?
Yes, you can use AutoPay to cancel a payment schedule unless it is for an overdue amount. To cancel a payment schedule for an overdue amount, please call us on 13 21 61.
When you log in to AutoPay, your payment schedule is displayed and you have the opportunity to cancel it. If you want to set up a new payment schedule, you must do so before the ‘Pay in full’ due date listed on your assessment notice.
I have sold the property, can I cancel AutoPay?
Yes, but the State Revenue Office does not adjust assessments for property bought, sold or settled during an assessment year, so you must still pay your assessment.
What if I don’t have enough money in my account when the payment is processed?
If you do not have enough funds available when the payment is processed, the payment schedule is cancelled and you are notified by email. You can then log in to set up a new payment schedule.
Can I change my payment details?
To update your payment details, log in to AutoPay and click the ‘View/update’ button next to the relevant payment schedule.
You can update your direct debit, credit or debit card details for an existing payment schedule. However, you cannot change your payment method, for example, moving from direct debit to credit card.
You must update your payment details at least one business day before your next scheduled payment.
If you want to change your payment method, for example from direct debit to a credit card, and there is more than 14 days left until the due date listed on your assessment notice, you can cancel your schedule and set up a new one with your chosen payment method.
If you want to change the payment method for overdue assessments, please call us on 13 21 61.
How long does it take for my updated payment or contact details to take effect?
It can take up to one business day for your changes to take effect.
