The ACT Planning and Land Authority allocates and records street address numbers for all urban and rural residences and commercial properties in the ACT. Accurately allocating and correctly using street address numbers enables better response by emergency services, improved delivery of mail and services such as waste management, and less confusion for visitors not familiar with the area.

Standard residential housing

Wherever possible, numbers run from a major street to a minor street and generally radiate out from the city centre. Odd numbers are allocated to the left hand side and even numbers to the right hand side of the street. Corner blocks are allocated a number for each street frontage. The lessee may choose to use either number (usually where the driveway and letter box are located) for the street address. If a cul-de-sac has the same name as the adjoining street, the numbering for that street will continue into the cul-de-sac. In some situations, redevelopment may create a greater number of blocks than existed previously. In this case, an alphanumeric will be used to supplement the existing numbering, for example, 44, 46A, 46B, 48, 50.

Medium density housing

Medium density developments are generally numbered the same as standard residential blocks. Single units fronting a gazetted road are numbered as though they are part of a standard residential housing development. Standard residential blocks that are amalgamated to accommodate several units will be allocated a number previously used by one of the original blocks. A large block of units having more than one street entrance will be allocated a number for each entrance (where a small delivery point exists).

Commercial blocks

Commercial blocks are also numbered generally the same as standard residential blocks. A block with frontage to two or more gazetted roads may be allocated more than one street address, if different business activities occur at each frontage. Units and shops that are subleased are not given a street number, but are identified by an alpha or numeric suffix.

Rural properties

Rural properties are allocated a number based on the distance along a road the property's access point is from the start of the road. Odd numbers are allocated to the left of the road and even numbers to the right, as in urban areas. Numbers are allocated on the basis of a 20 metre frontage. They are determined by dividing the distance from the start point by 10 and then rounding down or up as required. For example, a property whose entrance gate is 1892 metres from the start of Wells Station Road and on the left, is given an address of 189 Wells Station Road. A property directly opposite would be 190 Wells Station Road.