What is a Rental Grant?
A Rental Grant is a once-only grant of two weeks rent to help meet some of the costs associated with moving into private rental accommodation. A Rental Grant helps people experiencing a housing crisis. It does not have to be repaid.
Am I eligible for a Rental Grant?
You may be eligible for a Rental Grant if:
- You have not previously received a Rental Grant.
- You are not currently living in the premises for which the Rental Grant is required.
- You are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or have a temporary or permanent protection visa or possess a bridging visa.
- You meet the current income limits income limits
- You do not own, or part-own:
- a residential property, or
- a caravan, mobile home or live-aboard boat, any of which are permanently connected to normal household utilities.
- You do not have more than $2500 in cash and savings - combined for all applicants (not including dependents).
- You do not have any outstanding debts with the department.
- You choose a property where the rent does not exceed 60% of the total gross weekly income of all applicants.
- All applicants listed on the tenancy agreement (other than dependant children) must be applicants for the Rental Grant.
AND you meet at least one of the following conditions:
- You have spent more than 28 continuous days in a department-approved centre (e.g. emergency housing, a women's shelter), or in accommodation arranged by an approved centre, and are applying for assistance within 3 months of leaving the approved centre.
- You have been discharged from a correctional facility after serving at least 28 days, and are applying for assistance within three months of your release.
- You have been discharged from a mental health facility within the last three months and have been a resident of the facility for at least 28 days and are applying for assistance within three months of your release.
- You are exiting a child protection service.
- You are currently subjected to or are at risk of domestic or family violence and have appropriate supporting documentation.
- You are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
- You are leaving a community-based rent scheme in Queensland to move into private rental accommodation, and are applying for assistance within 14 days of leaving.
Each request for a Rental Grant is handled case by case, if you are subjected to domestic violence, please contact your local Housing Service Centre for assistance or call 1300 880 882. See the emergency housing page for other information.
For applicants under the age of 18, please contact the department on 1300 880 802 for more information.
How do I apply for a Rental Grant?
To apply for a Rental Grant, you will need to complete the Application for Private Rental Assistance Application.
You will also need to provide the department with proof of your income. Please complete the relevant forms for each applicant:
- Employer's Declaration
- Centrelink Income Confirmation Service Consent Form Centrelink Income Confirmation Service Consent Form
For incomes other than Centrelink/Veterans' Affairs payments and/or wages, the following evidence of income is acceptable:
- Work Cover payment advice letter or payment slips
- written statement from a superannuation company
- a letter from the Child Support Agency outlining child maintenance payments
- a letter from a registered accountant stating the applicant/s income details, or
- last year's Tax Assessment Notice from the Australian Taxation Office for self employed applicants.
What do I need to provide with my application?
You will need to provide:
- Application for Private Rental Assistance
- proof of income for each applicant
- at least two forms of identification for each applicant (appropriate forms of identification are listed at section 4 on the Application for Private Rental Assistance)
- proof of Australian residency status for each applicant
- proof of current address for each applicant
- documentary evidence that you have been in either an approved centre, or a correctional facility, or a mental health facility, or you are subjected to or are at risk of domestic violence.
How will I know if my Rental Grant has been approved?
You will be informed by telephone or in writing if your application for a Rental Grant has been approved or declined.
If your application has been approved, a Confirmation of Tenancy form will be sent to you with your approval letter. The form must be completed by your lessor or lessor's agent of the accommodation you plan to live in, and returned to the department.
How is the Rental Grant paid?
When the department receives the completed Confirmation of Tenancy form from your lessor or lessor's agent, a payment up to the value of two weeks rent will be made.
The department will pay the Rental Grant by cheque or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).
If you select payment by cheque, a cheque will be made payable to your lessor or lessor's agent and sent direct to you.
It is your responsibility to forward the Rental Grant cheque to your lessor or lessor's agent.
If you select payment by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), the payment will be directly deposited into the lessor or lessor's agent's nominated bank account.
More information
For a printable version of the above information, view the Rental Grant fact sheet Rental Grant fact sheet .
For more information, see Bond Loans, frequently asked questions for existing Bond Loan clients or information about Bond Loans for lessors/agents or service providers/managers.
Or view the map for your local Housing Service Centre contact details.
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