You need to apply through Defence Housing Australia (DHA) to get rent allowance.
Before you sign a lease you should confirm you're eligible for rent allowance.
You can then begin your application.
Once you submit your application you have 14 days to supply your supporting documents.
Set up a DHA account
You need a DHA Online services account to apply for rent allowance. Follow these steps to set one up:
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Call 139 DHA (139 342)
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Answer the security questions to confirm your identity
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Get your username and password
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Log in to your account
Apply for rent allowance
Once you have an Online services account, DHA will confirm if you're eligible for rent allowance.
To begin your application log in to Online services and select Apply for RA.
If you’re eligible for the Early Eligibility for Rent Allowance Trial, you won’t need to wait to see if there’s a Service residence available before you apply.
Early Eligibility for Rent Allowance Trial
If you have accompanied resident family and you’re being posted to trial locations in the Sydney, Townsville or Canberra area, you may be able to apply for your rent allowance earlier if you:
- have accompanied resident family and/or recognised other persons
- have a posting order for the 2024/2025 posting cycle
- are eligible for a Service Residence in your housing benefit location
- are eligible for a Defence paid move to a new housing benefit location in connection with the posting order.
To participate in the trial:
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Log into your Toll account
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Complete an Application for Relocation
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Log into your DHA Online Services account
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Select My Account
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Click Member Online Enquiries
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Click Raise an enquiry
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Select Rent allowance (RA) in the Enquiry Reason field
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Select ARF Request in the Enquiry RA Reason field
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Type the reason you want to participate in the Comments field, such as preferred location, schooling, partner employment
DHA will assess your application and send you an email within 5 business days to advise if you rent allowance application is approved.
Once your rent allowance is approved, you’ll know how much you can spend on a rental property in your housing benefit location.
You should confirm you’re eligible for rent allowance before you sign a lease.
Apply for advances
You may be able to apply for advances to help pay some upfront costs when you move. This includes your bond.
You can also apply for a utility connection deposit and up to 4 weeks rent in advance.
You need to give DHA copies of the receipts once you make the payments.
Sign your lease
Once you find a home, make sure you have a release clause included in your lease before you sign it (if allowed by your State or Territory). This is in case you need to break your lease for Service reasons.
If you want to view a home in person, you can apply for a house hunting trip.
Submit your documents
Gather any supporting documents you may need for your application. Examples include:
- lease
- initial rent receipt
- bond/utilities receipt
- release clause
- ceiling increase request
- property search form
- approval to live outside your housing benefit location, if applicable.
You have 14 days to submit these through Online services.
How you get paid rent allowance
Rent allowance is added to your pay and appears under Allowances on your payslip. It's paid for the previous fortnight.
You're responsible for paying rent to your real estate agent or landlord.