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How much is rent assistance and who is eligible?
If paying your rent each month is a struggle and you are already on Centrelink payments, you may be eligible for rent assistance.
09 Jan 2025
If paying your rent each month is a struggle and you are already on Centrelink payments, you may be eligible for rent assistance.
Key points:
- Rent assistance is available to people who already receive certain Centrelink payments.
- There is a minimum amount of rent you need to be paying.
- Rent assistance rates are updated twice a year in March and September.
Housing is one of the most significant outgoings we have in Australia. Rent can easily eat into more than 30% of average weekly earnings and for some this can be up to 50%, typically described as a ‘housing stress’.
The Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) says housing stress is when households have to pay too large a proportion of their income in housing costs (and thereby reduce spending on other essentials such as food and health).
According to the latest PropTrack Rental Report released by realestate.com.au for the December 2024 quarter, the median weekly advertised rent nationally increased by 1.6% to reach $620 per week, having risen 6.9% throughout 2024. For people on lower incomes and receiving Centrelink support payments, affording private rental market rates can be even more of a stretch, which is where the rent assistance payment program comes in.
So what is rent assistance and how can you find out if you are eligible for it?
What is rent assistance?
Rent assistance is a regular payment from Services Australia (Centrelink) for certain people who pay rent and currently receive other government welfare support such as a rent assistance for aged pension, income support or more than the base rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A.
The payment is a non-taxable income supplement. It’s available for eligible Australians who either rent in community housing or the private rental market, with variable rates based on thresholds that consider income and assets (indirectly), as well as a person’s family situation and whether or not they have children.
Rent assistance Centrelink payments are adjusted for the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
How much rent assistance can you get?
To be eligible for rent assistance there is a minimum amount of rent you need to be paying currently. For every $1 above this amount, Centrelink will pay you 75c up to a maximum limit.
The tables below outline the current rent assistance available. These rates get updated on 20 March and 20 September every year in line with CPI.
Rent assistance rates for people without dependent children
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| If you’re | Your fortnightly rent is more than |
To get the maximum payment your fortnightly rent is at least |
The maximum fortnightly payment is |
|---|---|---|---|
| single | $149.00 | $430.60 | $211.20 |
| single, sharer |
$149.00 | $336.74 | $140.80 |
| couple, combined |
$241.40 | $506.74 | $199.00 |
| 1 of a couple separated due to illness, partner in respite care or prison |
$149.00 | $430.60 | $211.20 |
| 1 of a couple temporarily separated |
$149.00 | $414.34 | $199.00 |
Source: Services Australia.
Rent assistance rates for people with dependent children
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| If you’re | Your fortnightly rent is more than |
To get the maximum payment your fortnightly rent is at least |
The maximum fortnightly payment is |
|---|---|---|---|
| single, with 1 or 2 children |
$195.58 | $526.54 | $248.22 |
| single, with 3 or more children |
$195.58 | $569.48 | $280.42 |
| a couple, with 1 or 2 children |
$289.24 | $620.20 | $248.22 |
| a couple, with 3 or more children |
$289.24 | $663.14 | $280.42 |
Source: Services Australia.
Rent assistance payments may be adjusted if either your rent or income increases or decreases, you move to a new house or your family circumstances change, such as a separation or birth of a child.
Special rules also apply if you are a single sharer or you pay board and lodging.
Who can get rent assistance?
You may be eligible to receive rent assistance if you are currently getting:
- Age Pension, Carer Payment or Disability Support Pension
- ABSTUDY Living Allowance, Austudy or Youth Allowance
- Special Benefit
- Family Tax Benefit – Part A at more than the base rate
- Parenting Payment partnered and single
- JobSeeker Payment or Farm Household Allowance
How is rent defined?
For the purposes of rent assistance, the Australian Government defines rent as an amount paid or payable at regular intervals as a condition of occupying a principal home. It can also encompass things such as:
- fees in a retirement village
- lodging
- board and lodging
- site or mooring fees if your main home is a caravan, relocatable home or a boat
There are additional eligibility rules for people living in retirement villages and for young people who may be living with a parent or guardian, so it’s a good idea to check with Centrelink if this applies to you.
How do you apply for rent assistance?
There is no formal application process for rent assistance as Centrelink will automatically assess your eligibility when you claim other payments from them or update your address after moving house.
If eligible, you may need to provide proof of your tenancy agreement and could be asked to complete a rent certificate. If you aren’t currently receiving rent assistance and think you may be eligible you can check online with Centrelink.
It’s important to let Centrelink know if you change your name, your rent or income changes, you move house, your marital status changes, the number of dependent children in your care changes or if people move in or out of the house you live in.
Can I get emergency money for rent?
If you find yourself facing financial hardship and are unable to pay your rent in the short term, the National Debt Helpline offers advice.
It could also be a good idea to contact your local emergency relief service, such as the Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul, Anglicare or the Australian Red Cross, who may be able to provide some short-term assistance or guidance to help you get back on your feet.
It may also be worthwhile speaking with your landlord and real estate agent to see if you might be able to negotiate some rental relief.
Cover image source: wichayadasuwanachun/Shutterstock.com
This article was reviewed by our Editor-in-Chief Nina Rinella before it was updated, as part of our fact-checking process.
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