Members may need to pay an ongoing fortnightly contribution for their Service residence accommodation and utilities.
The amount you pay depends on the rent band of your house and your rank.
Your contribution automatically comes out of your fortnightly pay.
If you’re a When you and your partner are both ADF members. , your contribution is worked out based on the member with the higher rank.
Defence reviews housing costs and member contributions each year through the Group Rent Scheme (GRS) to make sure they stay aligned with market prices.
Rent bands
Service residences are sorted by rent band. Your rank determines the rent band of the Service residence you get. In some cases you may get a Service residence in a higher or lower rent band.
The table shows your rent band. These are based on ranks in the Australian Army. You can check your equivalent rank if you need to.
| Your rank | Rent band (Service residence) |
|---|---|
| LT, 2LT, SCDT, OCDT SSGT, SGT, CPL or lower | 1 |
| CAPT, RSM-A, WO1, WO2 | 2 |
| LTCOL or MAJ | 3 |
| BRIG or COL | 4 |
| MAJ GEN or higher | 5 |
What you pay for accommodation
Your living situation also affects your contribution amount. Select the living situation that applies to you to see your contribution for your Service residence accommodation.
Changes in your work or family circumstances may affect your contribution. You need to inform Defence Housing Australia (DHA) about any changes. You may also need to update your personal details in the PMKeyS Portal on the Defence Protected Network (DPN).
Paying for utilities
You may need to pay a contribution towards water costs for your Service residence, unless you:
- have unaccompanied resident family
- don't have accompanied resident family
- are living in a surplus Service residence.
You may also need to pay a $175.89 fortnightly contribution towards energy costs if you live in a Service residence at Royal Military College, Duntroon or Anglesea Barracks, Hobart.
You must pay for any other utilities yourself, as your accommodation contribution doesn't cover your bills.
You may be able to claim some of your utility costs while you live in a Service residence.
How you pay
Defence will automatically deduct your contribution from your fortnightly pay.
You start paying from the day Toll Transitions delivers your furniture and belongings to your home.
Your contributions appear under After tax deductions on your payslip. Allow up to 2 pay periods for the first payment to show.
Questions about your payments
If you have questions about your payments, you can contact:
- DHA on 139 342
- Defence Service Centre on 1800 333 362.
When you don't need to pay
While you live in a Service residence, you may not need to pay a contribution if:
- you live in a surplus Service residence in your housing benefit location, have no ARF, and already pay a contribution for a Service residence in your family benefit location where your URF lives
- you’re living under field conditions for more than 21 days
- you’re living on a seagoing ship for more than 21 days
- you’re posted to a submarine
- you’re on an overseas deployment
- your partner is also a member and is a higher rank than you
- your partner is also a member and lives in a suitable own home.