From 1 January 2026, single ADF members (categorised as MBR) posted to the Sydney metropolitan area can apply for the Sydney Share-Arrangement Rental Trial.
The trial provides increased rent ceilings for members who choose to share accommodation with other eligible members and will run until 31 December 2027.
How the trial works
The trial aims to ease housing affordability challenges and enable members to live closer to their place of work.
Under the trial, when:
- 2 members share a property, each will receive 80% of the living alone rent ceiling.
- 3 members share a property, each will receive 65% of the living alone rent ceiling.
Eligible locations
You must have a current or upcoming posting to one of the below locations:
- Defence Plaza Sydney
- HMAS Kuttabul
- HMAS Penguin
- HMAS Waterhen
- HMAS Watson
- Randwick Barracks
- Sydney Fleet Base East
- Victoria Barracks Sydney
Who can apply
ADF members can apply if they:
- do not have a resident family member or recognised other person
- are posted to, or have an upcoming posting to, one of the designated Sydney locations
- have at least 12 months’ posting to an eligible location at the time of approval
- will share a rented residence with other participants for the duration of the trial.
The trial is only available for new share-arrangements. Existing arrangements are not eligible.
Apply or find out more
To apply for the trial, use the online services tool on the Defence Housing Australia website.
For more information on the trial, visit the Sydney Share-arrangement Rental Trial page.
