Rates Officer

Central Highlands Regional Council; Emerald; On-site; AUD 93,000 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave with 17.5% leave

Fortnightly RDOs

Payroll deductions and salarySacrifice

Wages paid fortnightly

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Central Highlands Regional Council – Emerald QLD is seeking a Rates Officer to maintain the rating system, collect outstanding rates and respond to enquiries from the community. You will support the Finance Department and deliver high level customer service.

The role requires knowledge of local government rating practices, experience with rating systems, strong MS Office skills, and the ability to work to tight deadlines in a team environment. Queensland C class license is required.

Qualifications

• Understanding of local government rating practices.
• Experience maintaining local government rating systems.
• Provisional Queensland C class driver’s licence.

Responsibilities

• Provide timely, accurate and courteous customer services to internal and external stakeholders.
• Assist with rates collection functions in line with statutory requirements and Council policies.
• Ensure implementation of relevant internal controls across Council and statutory compliance in the rates function.
• Ensure all property and ratepayer records are accurately recorded and confidential.
• Model best practice use of council’s property and rating module.
• Prepare reports and provide information to internal and external customers.

Skills

Customer service

Rates administration

MS Office

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Communication

Problem resolution

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Central Highlands Regional Council – Emerald QLD

Remuneration: Stream A, Level 2-3: $93,451.47 to $107,888.10 per annum inclusive of superannuation & locality allowance.

Looking for your next challenge? Join our Rates team as a Rates Officer and play a key role in a high performing team delivering excellent customer service to both internal and external stakeholders.

Central Highlands Regional Council is committed to providing exceptional customer service to our community, as a result we have an exciting opportunity available for a Rates Officer to join our team.
In this position, you will be responsible for the accurate and efficient maintenance of Council’s rating system including the timely collection of outstanding rates and responding to rate enquiries from the community.

You will provide high level support to the Finance Department by:

• Provide timely, accurate and courteous customer services to internal and external stakeholders.
• Assist with rates collection functions in line with statutory requirements and Council policies.
• Ensure implementation of relevant internal controls agreed and developed across Council and ensure statutory requirements are complied with within the rates function to provide appropriate financial governance.
• Ensure all property and ratepayer records are accurately recorded in a timely manner and ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times.
• Model best practice use of council’s property and rating module.
• Prepare reports and provide appropriate information where required to all internal and external customers.

To be considered for this opportunity, you will need to possess:

• Demonstrated understanding of the application of local government legislation in relation to rating practices.
• Substantial experience in administrating and maintaining local government rating systems.
• High level knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Effective time management, task prioritisation and organisation skills, with the ability to meet stringent and competing timelines whilst meeting customer expectations.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively to influence outcomes.
• Highly developed customer service skills with the ability to resolve customer enquiries and disputes in relation to rating matters to achieve positive outcomes.
• Ability to work within a team to create a collaborative and productive work environment.
• Minimum of Queensland C class provisional driver’s licence.

Working for Central Highlands Regional Council has its benefits.

We are a progressive region, committed in creating opportunities for all. We welcome forward thinking individuals who are focused on continuous improvement, a sustainable future and understand the valuable role we play in investing in our regional community.

Benefits Include:

• 5 weeks annual leave with 17.5% leave loading
• Fortnightly RDO’s
• Payroll deductions and salary sacrifice options
• Wages paid fortnightly
• Employee Assistance Program

Eligibility & Pre-employment Checks

To be appointed to a permanent position, you must be an Australian citizen, or have permanent residency status, or hold a visa permitting you to work in Australia permanently. If you have a visa permitting you to work temporarily in Australia, you may be appointed to a position on a temporary basis, providing the work complies with the conditions of your visa.

The pre-employment checks relevant to this position include:

• Right to Work in Australia
• Criminal History Check
• Medical Assessment
• Reference and qualification checks

Please note: Applicants may be contacted and progressed through the recruitment prior to closing date.

Applications close: Monday 28 September 2026 at 8am.

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