Guide to applying for housing assistance

Help is available for people who don’t have safe, stable housing, including people who are couch-surfing:

• The Homeless Hotline provides phone information and referral services for people who are homeless.
• Other help for people experiencing homelessness, or domestic and family and/or sexual violence.

If you are experiencing domestic, family and/or sexual violence, support is available:

• DVConnect Womensline: Call 1800 811 811 or visit DVconnect.
• DVConnect Mensline: Call 1800 600 636 or visit DVconnect.
• 1800RESPECT: Call 1800 737 732.
• Sexual Assault Helpline: Call 1800 010 120.
• Kids Helpline: Call 1800 551 800.
• Other help for people experiencing domestic and family and/or sexual violence.

If you need help to get into housing in the private rental market, these services are available:

• RentConnect services help people find and apply for a home to rent.
• Bond loans and rental grants provide financial help with the initial costs of moving into a home in the private rental market.
• The National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) provides affordable rental homes at least 20% below market rates.
• A Helping Hand Headlease may be suitable if you can afford a private rental but are having difficulties getting a private tenancy application approved.

If you’re a tenant in a private rental, but are having trouble paying rent or keeping the tenancy for other reasons, these services may help:

• QSTARS provides advice, help and support with tenancy issues.
• RentConnect Tenancy Assistance provides support, including temporary financial assistance, to overcome short-term tenancy problems.
• Rental Security Subsidy provides short-term financial support to help sustain your existing tenancy.

• If you’re buying a home, check whether you’re eligible for a loan or grant.
• Short-term help with home loan repayments is available for people who are having difficulties paying their mortgage due to unemployment, accident, illness, or some other unexpected or unforeseen crisis.
• Public housing tenants may be able to buy their public housing home if it is for sale.

If you’re finding it difficult to live in your current home due to illness or you want to downsize, support is available:

• See information, referrals and subsidies for seniors aged 60 years and over and people with disability to undertake critical home maintenance, repairs or modifications to live safely and independently.
• Find out about buying a manufactured home or a place in a retirement village.
• Get connected with in-home support to help you stay in your current home.

• The Homeless Hotline provides phone information and referral services for people who are homeless.
• Other help for people experiencing homelessness, or domestic and family and/or sexual violence.
• Public housing and community housing provided by non-government organisations and councils.