Get help with rent and moving costs

Types of expenses

Moving homes can be costly. You may need to pay for one-off expenses like:

• the rental bond
• rent in advance
• removalist fees or other costs associated with moving, like van hire. 

There are also ongoing living expenses, such as rent and utility bills.

Rent Assistance

You may be eligible for Rent Assistance if you get certain income support payments and also pay:

• rent
• fees in a retirement village
• lodging
• board and lodging, or
• site or mooring fees if your main home is a caravan, relocatable home or boat.

You don’t need to apply for Rent Assistance. You'll be automatically assessed when you claim one of the relevant payments.

The amount will depend on how much rent you pay. 

Learn more about who is eligible for Rent Assistance at Services Australia.

Rent Choice

Rent Choice helps tenants find and pay for rental accommodation for up to 3 years. You may be eligible depending on your income, location, and circumstances.

There are different rental subsidies available for:

• those escaping an unsafe living situation
• young people between the ages of 16 and 24
• veterans of the Australian Defence Force, and
• those who have experienced a serious financial shock, such as job loss or illness.

Learn more about Rent Choice rental subsidies at Communities & Justice.

Rentstart

Rentstart offers help to low income earners who are eligible for, or already living in, social housing.

It's aimed at making it easier when moving out of social housing into a new home in the private rental market. Rentstart can provide loans or grants to help with:

• bond
• advance rent or deposits
• money owed for rent or water bills.

It can also provide temporary accommodation in low cost motels or caravan parks if you are homeless.

Find out what help you can get through Rentstart at Communities & Justice.

Other types of help for renters

For those waiting for, or leaving, public or social housing, other types of help include:

• Private Rental Subsidy – helps those with disability with the cost of rent until an offer of social housing can be made
• Private Rental Brokerage Service – helps those who have a physical or mental illness, drug or alcohol problem, a physical or intellectual disability, or other complex needs to find and keep a home outside of social or public housing
• a reference for future real estate agents or landlords showing that you have been a satisfactory tenant of public housing, called a Statement of Satisfactory Tenancy.