Eligibility for housing assistance
The Department of Housing provides housing assistance to those with the greatest need. You must meet all of the eligibility criteria to receive assistance.
1. Residency
You must be a Queensland resident. In circumstances where interstate applicants demonstrate and provide evidence of a definite need to move to Queensland, this Queensland residency requirement may be waived.
- are an Australian citizen
- have been granted permanent residency status
- qualify for permanent residency status through agreements between Australia and another country
- hold a Temporary Protection Visa or
- hold a Bridging Visa if you previously held a Temporary Protection Visa which has expired.
If you have applied for permanent residency but are not yet a permanent resident, you can apply for housing assistance and, if eligible, be placed on the housing register. However, you will not be offered housing assistance until you become a permanent resident.
2. Property
You or a household member must not own or part-own property within Australia and overseas including:
- a residential home including a house, flat, unit or townhouse
- vacant residential land including rural property
- a transportable or mobile home, caravan or a live-aboard boat which is permanently connected to water and electricity or gas or
- commercial and/or industrial property.
Some exceptions apply. For example, in circumstances such as domestic violence, marriage breakdown, extreme hardship, or if the vacant land is in a natural disaster area, the department will assess your circumstances.
If you own a caravan but are affected by the closure of the caravan park you live in, you may still be eligible.
If you own or part-own property and need housing assistance, discuss your situation with the department.
3. Liquid assets limit
Your household’s combined liquid assets limit must be within the current limit for your household size. The liquid assets of all household members are added together to make up the household liquid assets.
Liquid assets include:
- money in the bank
- shares, fixed investments, managed funds
- property trusts and
- superannuation payouts (if you have reached the preservation age).
Different liquid assets limits apply for single person households and households with two or more people.
|
$71,937.50 |
|
$89,375.00 |
4. Independent income
Applicants must have an independent income which is earned in Queensland; and at least one applicant in the household must:
- receive an independent income amount of $174.29 per week and
- have received this income for at least six weeks immediately before applying for housing assistance.
If you hold a Temporary Protection Visa or reside in a correctional facility, and do not have an independent income, you may apply for housing assistance and, if eligible, be placed on the housing register. You will not be offered housing until you receive an independent income.
At least one applicant must receive the minimum independent income stated above. Any other household member who has no income, a very low income or cannot identify or verify their income will be assessed as having an income based on the Equivalent Centrelink Payment.
The Equivalent Centrelink Payment is the payment that most closely aligns with your circumstances, even if you do not qualify or meet the payment requirements. The Equivalent Centrelink Payment depends on, but is not limited to, your age, marital status, whether you live at or away from home, and if you have children.
5. Household income
You must have an independent income to be eligible for housing assistance. You will need to provide the gross weekly assessable income of the household, which is the combined income of all household members. Some income, such as certain allowances paid by Centrelink, is not included as weekly assessable income.
The household’s combined gross weekly assessable income must be less than:
| Income | Household type |
|---|---|
| $609 | Single person, no children |
| $755 | Single person, one child |
| $877 | Single person, two children |
| $999 | Single person, three or more children |
| $1121 | Couple with three or more children |
6. Appropriateness of current housing
You must meet at least one of the following criteria to demonstrate that your current housing does not meet your housing needs.
- You are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
- You need to live in a particular location in order to access essential services gain employment, meet cultural obligations, gain access to children or for family/informal support.
- The design and/or size of your current housing does not meet your household’s needs or there are health and safety risks.
- You are paying an unaffordable amount of your income in rent.
- You have been referred to the department by Disability Services Queensland as you have a disability and need to establish alternative housing.
Applying for housing assistance
Contact your nearest Department of Housing office to make an appointment for an interview to discuss your eligibility and housing needs, for example:
- where you want to live
- how many bedrooms you are entitled to and
- specific housing needs you or your household may have.
Departmental staff will advise which documents you will need to bring to the interview.
It is an offence under the Housing Act 2003 to knowingly provide to the Department of Housing false or misleading information that may influence decisions about your eligibility for housing services.
Reviewing eligibility for housing assistance
The department will regularly review your eligibility while you are listed on the housing register. Before an offer of housing is made, your eligibility will again be reviewed against all eligibility criteria. If you are no longer eligible, you will not be offered housing assistance and your application will be removed from the housing register.
If you are not ineligible but your circumstances have changed – for example, your household income reduces – please contact your nearest Department of Housing office to discuss your situation.
Need more information?
Please contact your nearest Department of Housing office.
Last updated 30 July 2008
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