How do I claim an exemption?

Once you receive your 2024 land tax assessment you can apply for the conservation covenant exemption. Land tax assessments are issued between mid January and late June each year.  To apply you will need to provide the State Revenue Office with:

• your customer number
• property address which relates to the covenant
• details of what the land is used for eg your home, primary production land. If it is used for more than one activity, please tell us about them all.
• a copy of the registered deed into with Trust for Nature
• date of commencement of the covenant

If your land tax exemption application is rejected by the SRO, it may be necessary to provide them with a copy of a recent title search confirming the presence of the registered covenant. Please contact legal@tfn.org.au who can provide you with this, or any other documents you may require.

Applications can be received online through My Land Tax (from April 2024 onwards), by contacting the State Revenue Office online or by writing to:

State Revenue Office
GPO Box 1641
Melbourne, VIC, 3001

I already have a covenant with Trust for Nature, can I claim an exemption?

Yes. From the 2024 land tax year, land is exempt if it is protected by a conservation covenant. The exemption applies to the area of land which is protected by the covenant.

Can I pay for my own conservation covenant?

Yes. The cost and process for a conservation covenant assessment are as follows:

STEP 1: Covenant assessment and documentation = $5,000 (+ GST)
STEP 2: Covenant registration fee = $25,000 (+ GST)

Trust for Nature relies on the generosity of supporters to fund the cost of administering and stewardship covenants. While our aim is to protect as much habitat as possible to safeguard Victoria’s wildlife and plants, the costs of covenanting are considerable and we need to prioritise what to covenant. Demand for new covenants currently exceeds the available funding. Landholders can make a huge contribution to protecting Victoria’s nature by paying for a conservation covenant on eligible areas of their land.

How is site eligibility determined?

Your land may be eligible for a covenant if it contains ecological values such as a high diversity of native plants and animals, proximity to wildlife corridors, or the presence of threatened species. Our conservation staff are trained ecologists and will determine site eligibility in line with Trust for Nature’s covenanting criteria. For more detail read about conservation covenants.

How long does it take to process a conservation covenant?

The assessment and design of a covenant, and the associated management plan, is a comprehensive scientific and legal process. Ministerial approval is required for all covenants and can generally be expected within 10 months of commencing the assessment and documentation, however timelines do vary from property to property depending on the complexity of the covenant and its conditions.

General tax information

Entering into a covenant, including as a result of participating in environmental markets (eg, offsets) may have tax implications for your property.

This information sheet has been prepared to provide high-level information and guidance around key issues. It is not intended as legal advice, or an alternative to obtaining independent taxation advice.