NSW Valuer General
The Valuer General determines the amount of compensation that is offered under compulsory acquisition.
The role of the Valuer General in compulsory acquisitions
The Valuer General is appointed by the NSW Governor to oversee the State’s land valuation system. They are independent of state and local governments and acquiring authorities.
If you and the acquiring authority have not been able to reach an acquisition by agreement, the compulsory acquisition process will begin.
The Valuer General will take part in this process. They will:
- carry out their own valuation of your property in accordance with the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 and the Valuer General’s policy
- meet with you or your representative to discuss the valuation and address any issues or concerns
- share all information considered for the valuation report with you and the acquiring authority
- issue you with a preliminary report showing the amount of compensation and how it was determined, on which you have 15 days to provide feedback
- speak to you and the acquiring authority and ask for any information either of you may wish to submit to support your claim
- issue a determination of compensation certificate along with its independent valuation of the property to both you and the acquiring authority.
The Valuer General’s determination
If you agree with the Valuer General’s determination, the acquiring authority is required to pay that amount of compensation.
This amount may be higher, lower or the same as the acquiring authority's original offer.
Agreeing with the compensation notice
If you agree with the compensation notice, you must complete a Deed of Release and Indemnity and return it to the acquiring authority.
The acquiring authority will pay your compensation within 28 days of receiving the Deed of Release and Indemnity and any other required documents.
Disagreeing with the compensation notice
If you disagree with the compensation notice, you are entitled to lodge an objection with the NSW Land and Environment Court within 90 days of the compensation notice being issued. You are strongly recommended to seek legal advice.
You must also give the acquiring authority notice that you have begun proceedings in the NSW Land and Environment Court by serving a copy of the application on the agency.
If you have commenced court proceedings, you will be entitled to receive an advance of 90% of the Valuer General’s determination of compensation within 28 days of the commencement of court proceedings. Accepting the advance will not affect your objection to the Valuer General’s determination – that is, you are not deemed to have accepted the Valuer General’s compensation determination by accepting the advance.
The acquiring authority will also pay interest on the advance for the period from the date the Acquisition Notice was published in the NSW Government Gazette to the date the advance is paid.
If you do not accept the advance, the advance and interest will be deposited into a statutory trust account pending the court’s decision.
Download a guide
Our property acquisition guides take you through the acquisition process step by step.
The guides are available in English, Arabic (العربية), Cantonese (廣東話), Mandarin (國語), Greek (Ελληνικά), Hindi (हिन्दी), Italian (Italiano), Korean (한국어), and Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt Nam).
Help and support
Your acquisition support team is there to help you with any questions about the acquisition process you are involved in. Contact your personal manager or legal representative with any specific questions about your situation.
For general information about property acquisition in NSW, email the Centre for Property Acquisition or call 1300 029 146.
Property Acquisition Support Line
The Property Acquisition Support Line has counsellors available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support your mental and emotional welfare. Call the Property Acquisition Support Line on 1300 089 551.
Find out more about the Property Acquisition Support Line service.