Who is eligible for Rent Assistance

In Australia, Rent Assistance is a government payment designed to assist individuals and families who rent in the private rental market and receive certain income support payments. The eligibility criteria for Rent Assistance include the following:

  1. Receiving an eligible income support payment: You must be receiving a qualifying income support payment to be eligible for Rent Assistance. Some of the income support payments that may make you eligible include:
    • Age Pension
    • Disability Support Pension
    • Carer Payment
    • Parenting Payment (single or partnered)
    • JobSeeker Payment (formerly known as Newstart Allowance)
    • Youth Allowance
    • Austudy Payment
    • Farm Household Allowance
  2. Paying rent: You must be paying rent for accommodation in the private rental market. The rental property must be considered suitable for your needs and meet certain standards. You must also pay one of the following to be eligible for rent assistance:
    • Board or lodging
    • Retirement village fees, and
    • Site or mooring fees if your main place of residence is a relocatable home, like a boat or caravan

    Special rules apply for people living in a retirement village and for young people, so it’s best to check the government website.

  3. Meet residency requirements: Generally, you must be an Australian resident and meet specific residency requirements to be eligible for Rent Assistance. There are different rules for Australian citizens, permanent residents, and some visa holders.
  4. Income and asset tests: Rent Assistance calculations consider your income and assets. There are limits on the amount of income and assets you can have to qualify for the payment, and these limits may vary depending on your circumstances.

It’s important to note that eligibility criteria and payment rates may change over time, so it’s always a good idea to visit the official Australian Government websites or contact relevant authorities, such as the Department of Human Services or Services Australia, to get the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding Rent Assistance eligibility.