Who can be in the trial
Members who are categorised as MBR are members who have no resident familyYour partner and child who either lives with you or lives away from you due to approved reasons. or recognised other personA person who lives with you but who isn’t a resident family member. .
How the trial affects your rent allowance
If your rent paid is lower than your rent ceiling, Defence uses your rent paid amount to calculate your rent allowance.
Defence reviews rent ceilings and contribution amounts each year through the Group Rent Scheme (GRS) to make sure they stay aligned with market prices.
You’re an Able Seaman posted to HMAS Kuttabul. You share a house in Sydney with one other member of the same rank. The fortnightly rent is $3,000 ($1,500 each).
Based on your rank, the living alone rent ceiling for your location (Sydney) is $1,843. As a trial member sharing with one other trial member, your trial rent ceiling is $1,474 each.
Because your trial rent ceiling is less than your share of the fortnightly rent, your rent allowance is calculated using the rent ceiling amount.
Your rent allowance is calculated using your:
- trial rent ceiling of $1,474
- minimum fortnightly contribution of $307.77 towards your rent.
You’ll still need to pay $1,500 to your real estate agent or landlord, but Defence will pay you $1,166.23 in rent allowance towards this. You’ll need to cover the difference of $333.77.
The table shows how your rent allowance is calculated.
| Your share | |
|---|---|
| Rent paid | $1,500 |
| Trial rent ceiling | $1,474 (80% of $1,843) |
| Rent allowance | $1,166.23 ($1,474 − $307.77) |
| Difference between rent paid and rent allowance | $333.77 ($1,500 − $1,166.23) |
You’re a Warrant Officer Class 1 posted to Randwick Barracks. You share a house in Sydney with 2 other members of the same rank. The fortnightly rent is $3,900 ($1,300 each).
Based on your rank, the living alone rent ceiling for your location (Sydney) is $2,383. As a trial member, sharing with 2 other trial members, your trial rent ceiling is $1,549 each.
Because your share of the fortnightly rent is less than your trial rent ceiling, your rent allowance is calculated using the rent paid amount.
Your rent allowance is calculated using your:
- share of the fortnightly rent, $1,300
- minimum fortnightly contribution of $283.36 towards your rent.
The table shows how your rent allowance is calculated.
| Your share | |
|---|---|
| Rent paid | $1,300 |
| Trial rent ceiling | $1,549 (65% of $2,383) |
| Rent allowance | $1,016.64 ($1,300 − $283.36) |
| Difference between rent paid and rent allowance | $283.36 ($1,300 − $1,016.64) |
You’re an Able Seaman who gets rent allowance. You share a house at your location (Sydney) with one other person. The fortnightly rent is $3,000 ($1,500 each).
The rent ceiling for sharing with one other person for your location (Sydney) is $922.
Because your rent ceiling is less than your share of the fortnightly rent, your rent allowance is calculated using the rent ceiling.
Your rent allowance is calculated using your:
- rent ceiling of $922
- minimum fortnightly contribution of $307.77 towards your rent.
You’ll still need to pay $1,500 to your real estate agent or landlord, but Defence will pay you $614.23 in rent allowance towards this. You’ll need to cover the difference of $885.77.
The table shows how your rent allowance is calculated.
| Your share | |
|---|---|
| Rent paid | $1,500 |
| Rent ceiling | $922 |
| Rent allowance | $614.23 ($922 − $307.77) |
| Difference between rent paid and rent allowance | $885.77 ($1,500 − $614.23) |
Your rent allowance is added to your pay and can be found under Allowances on your payslip. You’re responsible for paying your rent to your real estate agent or landlord.
If your living situation changes
You’re an Able Seaman posted to HMAS Kuttabul. You were sharing a house in Sydney with one other member of the same rank. The fortnightly rent is $3,000 ($1,500 each).
Based on your rank, the living alone rent ceiling for your location (Sydney) is $1,843.
Scenario 1: Your housemate has posted out
For 28 days, your fortnightly trial rent ceiling increases to $2,949 (160% of $1,843).
The minimum fortnightly contribution you must pay towards your rent is $615.54 as you’re now living alone.
Because your trial rent ceiling is less than your fortnightly rent ($3,000), your rent allowance is calculated using the rent ceiling amount.
Your fortnightly rent allowance is $2,333.46 ($2,949 − $615.54).
You’ll still need to pay $3,000 to your real estate agent or landlord, but Defence will pay you $2,333.46 in rent allowance towards this. You’ll need to cover the difference of $666.54.
If a new trial member moves in within 28 days, you’ll go back to getting the same rent allowance that you got before your previous housemate moved out.
Scenario 2: Your housemate has moved out for personal reasons
From the date your housemate moves out, you’re no longer a participant in the trial.
Your fortnightly living alone rent ceiling is $1,843.
The minimum fortnightly contribution you must pay towards your rent is $615.54 as you’re now living alone.
Because your rent ceiling is less than your fortnightly rent ($3,000), your rent allowance is calculated using the rent ceiling amount.
Your fortnightly rent allowance is $1,227.46 ($1,843 − $615.54).
You’ll still need to pay $3,000 to your real estate agent or landlord, but Defence will pay you $1,227.46 in rent allowance towards this. You’ll need to cover the difference of $1,772.54.
You’re a Warrant Officer Class 1 posted to Randwick Barracks. You share a house in Sydney with 2 other members of the same rank. The fortnightly rent is $3,900 ($1,300 each).
Based on your rank, the living alone rent ceiling for your location (Sydney) is $2,383.
Scenario 1: One of your housemates has posted out
Your share of the fortnightly rent is now $1,950 (50% of $3,900).
For 28 days, your fortnightly trial rent ceiling increases to $2,323 (97.5% of $2,383).
The minimum fortnightly contribution you must pay towards your rent is $382.55, as you’re now sharing with only one other person.
Because your share of the fortnightly rent is less than your rent ceiling, your rent allowance is calculated using the rent paid amount.
Your fortnightly rent allowance is $1,567.45 ($1,950 − $382.55).
You’ll still need to pay $1,950 to your real estate agent or landlord, but Defence will pay you $1,567.45 towards this. You’ll need to cover the difference of $382.55.
If a new trial member moves in within 28 days, you’ll go back to getting the same rent allowance that you got before your previous housemate moved out.
Scenario 2: One of your housemates has moved out for personal reasons
You’ll continue to participate in the trial, sharing with the one other remaining trial member.
Your share of the fortnightly rent is now $1,950 (50% of $3,900).
As a trial member sharing with another trial member, your trial rent ceiling is now $1,906 each (80% of $2,383).
The minimum fortnightly contribution you must pay towards your rent is $382.55.
Because your rent ceiling is less than your share of the fortnightly rent, your rent allowance is calculated using the rent ceiling amount.
Your fortnightly rent allowance is $1,523.45 ($1,906 − $382.55).
You’ll still need to pay $1,950 to your real estate agent or landlord, but Defence will pay you $1,523.45 towards this. You’ll need to cover the difference of $426.55.
If a new trial member moves in, you’ll go back to getting the same rent allowance that you got before your previous housemate moved out.
If one of the housemates is deployed
Apply for the trial
Ch 7 Part 8 Division 1A: General provisions