Once you're staying in living-in accommodation

Members must follow rules and conditions while staying in living-in accommodation (LIA).  

While you’re in LIA you must: 

• keep noise to an acceptable level
• not smoke in your LIA
• keep any vehicles in the designated car parking area.

You also need to understand your rights and responsibilities.

Your accommodation manager may inspect your room from time to time.

You can apply to change rooms through your Defence Housing Australia (DHA) Online Services account.

You're responsible for keeping your room and common areas that you use clean and tidy.  

You'll usually get a condition report when you move into your LIA. If you disagree with the condition report, you should tell your accommodation manager before you sign it. You have 2 days to sign and return the report. 

You should ask your accommodation manager if you want to: 

• alter your room or move furniture
• use your own furniture 
• use your own appliances for cooking, heating or lighting
• swap rooms with another member.

You must report any damage or maintenance issues to your accommodation manager. 

Visitors usually can't stay in your LIA. This includes when you're not there. 

In special circumstances, you can request to have someone stay overnight. Your accommodation manager may approve your request if you have a valid reason. 

You may face consequences if you don't follow LIA rules. These could include: 

• paying for damages
• facing administrative or disciplinary action
• having your right to stay in LIA revoked.

If your right to stay in LIA is revoked you won't get any other housing assistance. 

If your work or family circumstance change while you're staying in your LIA, you may need to move out. 

These changes may include if you: 

• begin a new relationship
• have or adopt a child
• are deployed at short notice.

You should tell your accommodation manager as soon as you know you need to move.  

If your role requires you to stay in LIA, you'll need to apply to live out. 

If you need to move to a different home, you may get a Defence paid move. 

If you're away from your LIA for more than 21 days

You must email your accommodation manager if you're going to be away from your LIA for more than 21 days. This includes if you go on leave or you're deployed. 

Talk to your accommodation manager first if you have issues with your LIA. If you can't resolve them, use the DHA complaint management process.  

You need to tell your accommodation manager if you need move out sooner than expected. 

If you're in permanent LIA and need to move out for personal reasons, you should give at least 21 days’ notice. If you're required to stay in LIA, you must get approval from your Commanding Officer first. 

To apply, complete and submit a Categorisation Change and Approval to Live-In/Live-Out - ADF (AE681) form. You can download this from the Forms portal on the Defence Protected Network (DPN). 

When you move out of your LIA, the condition of the contents, fixtures and fittings will be compared to the condition report.  

You're responsible for leaving the room clean and tidy and returning your key to the accommodation manager. You must take all your belongings with you. 

You should be there when the accommodation manager does a final inspection of your room.  

Learn about moving options and assistance. 

Other websites

View the DHA complaint management process.