Housing assistance programs

On this page:

• Public rental housing
• State owned and managed Indigenous housing
• Community housing
• Crisis Accommodation Program
• Private market assistance programs
• Information on non-CSHA assistance programs

Detailed information and statistics about these programs are available on the publications page or to find out how to access housing assistance datasets please refer to the repository page.

Public rental housing

Refers to the government provision and administration of publicly owned dwellings funded through the Commonwealth State Housing Agreement (CSHA). It provides appropriate, affordable and accessible shelter for low to moderate income families unable to access the private market or those otherwise in housing need for the duration of their need. Public housing programs, funded under the CSHA, are administered by state and territory governments.

State owned and managed Indigenous housing

State owned and managed Indigenous housing involves the government provision and administration of publicly owned dwellings funded through the Commonwealth State Housing Agreement (CSHA). This program provides appropriate, affordable and accessible shelter for low to moderate income Indigenous families or those otherwise in housing need for the duration of their need. The dwellings are put aside for allocation to Indigenous households only. 

Community housing

Housing assistance to low income families and individuals can be provided and administered by community housing providers. Community housing providers are not-for-profit organisations that provide safe, secure, affordable and appropriate rental housing. Community housing, along with public rental housing, is part of the social housing sector and provides housing assistance on a basis whish is respectful of tenants rights, including opportunities for participatory management, and constructive of links with community development.

Community housing provides short, medium and long term accommodation.

Crisis Accommodation Program

This program funds dwellings under the Commonwealth State Housing Agreement (CSHA) which are used by governments, churches and other welfare organisations to assist people in situations of actual or impending crisis or homelessness. Support services to these households are provided directly by health and community service organisations, and by the national Supported Accommodation Assistance Program.

Private market assistance programs

Private market assistance is available to people on low incomes either purchasing their own home or renting accommodation in the private rental market.  The major avenues for provision are home purchase or ownership assistance and private rent assistance.

Home purchase assistance

Home purchase assistance is funded under the Commonwealth State Housing Agreement (CSHA) and administered by states and territories. It is provided to people who wish to purchase a house but need assistance with financing. This program also provides an avenue for purchase of public rental housing dwellings by tenants. Home purchase assistance includes:

• Direct lending: provision of home loans by a Government body to those on low to moderate incomes who would otherwise be unable to purchase a home.
• Deposit assistance: a lump sum payment at the time of purchase to contribute towards the deposit.
• Interest rate assistance: Government payment of a subsidy to an independent lender (a bank) to keep the costs of mortgage repayments down.
• Mortgage relief: short term assistance with meeting loan repayments for those experiencing difficulty as a result of unforeseen change in circumstances.
• Counselling services: provision of free information and impartial advice on all home purchase needs.
• Other assistance: modification grants, discounts from purchase price and stamp duty concessions.

Not all states and territories offer all of these forms of assistance.

First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)

The Australian Government established grants to first home buyers on 1 July 2000 to compensate for the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax. The grant scheme is non-means tested and it is administered through state and territory governments.

The fhogOnline [external link] provides information, including eligibility requirements, on these grants. It also contains links to the state and territory administrators who publish statistics on the number and value of grants provided.

Private rent assistance

Private rent assistance is available to people on low incomes who are renting accommodation in the private rental market. There are two private rent assistance programs: Commonwealth Rent Assistance and private rent assistance.

Commonwealth Rent Assistance

Commonwealth rent assistance is a non-taxable income supplement payable to recipients of some government benefits who pay rents above specified threshold levels in the private rental market. The Commonwealth Rent Assistance is delivered by Centrelink [external link] where information relating to eligibility and level of payments can be found. More information about the Commonwealth Rent Assistance can be obtained from the Housing Support Branch [external link] of the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. 

Private rent assistance

Private rent assistance is funded under the Commonwealth State Housing Agreement (CSHA) and administered by states and territories. Private rent assistance is provided to low income households experiencing difficulty in securing or maintaining private rental accommodation. Private rent assistance includes:

• Bond loans are interest free loans to cover the cost of bond for low income people seeking accommodation in the private rental market.
• Rental grants and subsidies are grants to households that are experiencing difficulties in meeting rent payments.  These may be 'ongoing' or 'one-off' grants.
• Relocation expenses are one-off payments to assist eligible households in relocating such as removalist expenses, or electricity/gas connection costs. These may be in the form of a loan or a grant.
• Other one-off assistance grants are payments or services such as housing assistance advice and information services.

Other non-CSHA assistance programs

Community Managed Indigenous Housing

Community managed Indigenous housing refers to dwellings where ownership of the dwelling and responsibility for assessing applicants and allocating housing, reside with an Indigenous community. Government funding may take the form of direct Australian, state or territory, or ATSIS funding, or a guarantee which may have been provided at some stage to assist the community in providing housing. For details on Community managed Indigenous Housing follow this link.

Other Indigenous housing related Programs

The Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCSIA) provides funding to help address Indigenous housing disadvantage through the Aboriginal Rental Housing Program and the Community Housing and Infrastructure Program [external link]. In addition, FaCSIA administers a number of Indigenous-focused housing initiatives including:

• Household Organisational Management Expenses (HOME) Advice Program
• Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP)
• Reconnect Program
• Aboriginal Hostels Limited

For information regarding these initiatives please refer to the FaCSIA [external link] website.