Waiting for social housing
To apply for social housing, you need to complete an Application for Housing Assistance. If the Department of Housing approves your application for social housing, it will be placed on the housing register according to your level of housing need.
Applicants who have a very high need or high need will be offered social housing ahead of applicants who have a moderate or lower need.
Applicants within each of the following levels of housing need are considered to be equal and are listed in order of their application date:
- Very high need
Applicants who have the highest housing need as they are homeless, or their current housing is inappropriate and they have a number of issues with accessing and sustaining a tenancy in the private market. - High need
Applicants whose current housing is inappropriate and they have some issues with accessing or sustaining a tenancy in the private market. - Moderate need
Applicants whose current housing is inappropriate and they have fewer issues with accessing or sustaining a tenancy in the private market. - Lower need
Applicants who have issues with their current housing but do not have any barriers to accessing and sustaining appropriate housing. They have the financial means and capacity to rent appropriate housing in the private sector.
You will be listed on the housing register for the type of housing and the number of bedrooms you are eligible for in the areas you have chosen. On your Application for Housing Assistance, you must list six locations (suburbs, towns, cities) of your choice, except:
- where you have demonstrated a need to live in a particular location, or
- if you are applying for a property in a regional or remote area.
Note: You may be offered housing from any of your selected areas.
The department will contact you at regular intervals to review your eligibility and housing need.
What factors affect when social housing can be offered?
Your nearest Department of Housing office cannot predict when an offer of social housing may be made. Offers of housing are affected by:
- the number of properties in the area you want to live in
- the number of properties that become available (for example from people moving out of social housing)
- the number of people listed on the housing register who have a higher housing need than you and who are listed for the same areas you have chosen, and
- people listed on the housing register who have the same housing need as you but who have had their application approved before you for the same areas you have chosen.
Each of these factors can change very quickly.
If you are listed on the housing register as having a moderate or lower housing need, the department may be unable to offer you social housing and you may wish to consider other housing options. You should talk to your nearest Department of Housing office about other available housing assistance.
What should I do if my circumstances or housing need changes?
If you are approved for social housing assistance, you must advise the department of any changes to your household circumstances or housing need. Your eligibility and level of housing need will be reviewed regularly so it is important this information is kept up-to-date.
This includes changes to:
- your address - your application may be cancelled if the department does not have your current address and cannot contact you
- your name, for example if you marry, divorce or separate
- the number of people on your housing application, for example you have another child, you and your partner separate, you add a new household member to your application or a household member listed on your application no longer lives with you
- a household member's health, for example if the household member can no longer climb stairs or a family member has specific housing needs resulting from a disability or medical condition. Evidence from a medical practitioner will be required explaining how the change in health affects your housing needs
- other related housing issues, or
- you no longer require housing assistance.
The department will update your records with the new information and reassess your eligibility for social housing. If you remain eligible, the department will confirm the changes made to your application in writing. If you are no longer eligible for social housing, you will be advised of this decision in writing and the reasons why.
Can I change the areas I have chosen to list for?
Yes. You can change the areas where you want to live until you are offered housing. If you have previously demonstrated a need to live in a specific area, you must discuss the reasons why you want to change where you want to live with your nearest Department of Housing office.
Please note: you can only change your areas of preference before you are offered housing.
Do I need to answer letters from the Department of Housing?
Yes. The department will regularly send you letters to make sure you are still eligible for housing assistance and to update your housing need information. If you don’t answer these letters in the requested time, the department will cancel your application.
The department will review your eligibility and housing need every:
- six months, if you are listed on the housing register as having a very high need or high need, or
- 12 months, if you are listed as having a moderate or lower need.
Remember, it is an offence under the Housing Act 2003 to knowingly provide false or misleading information to the Department of Housing that may influence decisions about your eligibility for housing services.
What if I want a pet?
Advise your nearest Department of Housing office as soon as possible if you want to keep a pet. The office will advise you about how your choice of pet may affect your housing options. The fact sheet titled ‘Pets in departmental properties’ has more information.
What if I want to go on a holiday?
Advise your nearest Department of Housing office before you leave for holidays. This ensures that your application is not cancelled if mail is sent to you while you are away and is not answered.
What if I no longer want housing assistance?
If you decide that you no longer want housing assistance, please contact your nearest Department of Housing office as soon as possible so your name can be taken off the housing register.
Need more information?
Please contact your nearest Department of Housing office.
Last updated 30 September 2008
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