Home | Site map | Contact us | Help |

Related resources

• News
• Fact sheets
• Forms
• Publications
• Contacts

Your location: Home > Renting > Public housing > Applying for housing assistance > How to apply for housing assistance

Step 1 - Application

To apply for housing assistance, please contact your nearest Department of Communities (Housing and Homelessness Services) office to arrange an appointment to discuss your eligibility and housing needs. You may also complete an Application form (726Kb) and send it to your nearest Housing Services office. You will then be contacted to arrange an appointment to discuss your application.

Two forms of identification will be required to accompany your Application for Housing Assistance. Appropriate forms of identification are listed on the 'Application for housing assistance'.

Step 2 - Income declaration

You will also need to provide the department with verification of your income and the income of other household members. These incomes are used to determine your eligibility.

If you are currently employed, complete the Employer's Declaration form (29Kb).

For incomes other than Centrelink/Veteran's Affairs payments and/or wages, the following evidence of income is acceptable:

• the Employer’s Declaration form available from the department
• the most recent six consecutive weeks payslips (casual employees only)
• the most recent Tax Assessment Notice issued by the Australian Taxation Office (self-employed applicants only)
• WorkCover payment advice letter or payment slip
• a written statement from a superannuation company
• a letter or advice relating to the payment of an overseas pension, or
• a letter from a Child Support Agency outlining child maintenance payments.

Step 3 – Assets declaration

You will also need to provide the department with verification of your assets and the assets of other household members. These assets are used to determine your eligibility.

The following evidence of any assets you and your household members have will need to be provided:

• The most recent quarterly bank statements for you and your household members, including bank, building society or credit union accounts (including interest free accounts).
• Centrelink Income Statement.
• Written advice showing the amount and frequency of overseas pensions.
• Workcover payment advice letter or payment slip to verify compensation payout.
• Letter from the client’s solicitor verifying lump sum payout.
• Written statement from a superannuation company showing total sum of super funds or investments for applicants and household members who have reached preservation age.
• Written statement from financial institution showing total sum of financial investment held in bonds, debentures, shares, friendly society bonds or managed investments and property trusts.
• Written advice regarding the amount of net proceeds you or a household member may have received from the sale of a property.

Note - assets held in Australia and overseas must be declared. Vehicles, home contents and collectibles are not assessed.

Applicants and household members also cannot own or part-own any type of property within Australia or overseas including:

• improved or unimproved commercial or industrial property; or
• residential property including a house, flat, unit, townhouse etc; or
• vacant land - including residential and rural land; or
• a transportable or mobile home, caravan or live-aboard boat which is permanently connected to household utilities (e.g. water/ electricity).

Step 4 - Guardians, administrators or decision-makers

If there is a person who helps you to make decisions, or who makes decisions on your behalf about personal, lifestyle or financial matters, you need to let the department know.

Please complete the:

• Formal Guardian and/or Administrator Details (35Kb) if your guardian or administrator was appointed by the Guardianship and Administration Tribunal (GAAT); or
• Informal Decision-Maker Details (41Kb) if you have a family member or close friend who acts as an informal decision-maker for you.

Step 5 - Specific housing needs

If you have a disability, you may also be required to complete the forms listed below. The information provided by you will assist us to determine the appropriate housing assistance required to meet your individual needs.

If you have specific housing requirements because of a disability, you will need to complete the Medical/Disability Information Form (42Kb).

If you have specific housing requirements because of a disability, you may be required to obtain information from your general practitioner, psychiatrist or other medical specialist to support your application. Contact your nearest Housing Services office to find out if a Confidential Medical Report from Treating Doctor (54Kb) is required.

Step 6 - Permission to request or disclose personal information

If the Housing Services office needs to verify information provided in your application, you may need to complete the Authority to request or disclose personal information to external parties (47Kb).

Last updated 30 June 2009