Valuation system management

The Valuer General is an independent statutory officer appointed by the Governor of NSW to oversee the NSW valuation system. The primary responsibilities of the Valuer General are set out in the Valuation of Land Act 1916 and the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991.

The Valuer General is independent of the NSW Government, which sets land tax and councils which set rates (and the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal, IPART, who annually review council rates and charges to set the maximum increases). This independence is important, as it clearly separates the determination of land values from their use by the NSW Government and councils for charging rates and taxes.

Valuation NSW

As a statutory officer, the NSW Constitution precludes the Valuer General from directly employing staff. Staff working at Valuation NSW are employed by the Department of Planning, Industry and the Environment (DPIE) and may be referred to as members of the Valuer General’s staff under the Government Sector Employment Act 2013.

The Valuer General oversees the provision of services and performance standards by the agency, Valuation NSW. The Valuer General also has oversight of the functions delegated to Valuation NSW staff to ensure compliance with the relevant legislation, standards and policies.

Valuation NSW staff undertake a range of valuation services on behalf of the Valuer General, including:

  • management of customer services and provision of information to stakeholders;
  • management of valuation service contracts and provision of information to contract valuers;
  • the objection review process;
  • auditing and ensuring the quality of land values;
  • maintaining the Register of Land Values;
  • day-to-day management of valuations completed under the Valuation of Land Act 1916;
  • determining compensation under the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991; and
  • the development of operational procedures.
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