Apply for social housing

To be eligible for social housing in urban areas, your household income and assets must be lower than the below eligibility limits.

*Income and asset limits were last changed on 9 October 2023.

All household members aged 18 years and over must provide proof of income.

This evidence can include:

• Centrelink statements for benefits or pensions
• payslips from your job
• if self-employed - a copy of your previous financial year notice of assessment for income tax from the Australian Taxation Office
• proof in writing of pensions from overseas or Veterans' Affairs.

Income not included

Some types of income are excluded from your assessment.

These include:

• child care benefit
• carer allowance or bonus
• foster child allowance
• child maintenance payments made by you
• pharmaceutical allowance.

Read more about what types of income are included or excluded from the assessment.

In urban areas, your assets will also be looked at to see if you qualify for social housing.

You and all people living with you aged 18 years and over will need to provide proof of your assets.

These include:

• savings and cash holdings
• recreation vehicles, quad bikes and trail bikes
• boats
• caravans, camping trailers and mobile homes
• stock market bonds and investments
• superannuation funds that can be assessed
• land or property.

Find a full list of what assets are assessed when you apply for public housing.

Assets not included

Some items are not included when assessing eligibility. These include:

• personal affects
• general household furniture
• personal vehicles and other forms of transport, including:
  • cars
  • motorbikes
  • mobility scooters.

For some, proof must be given showing they cannot be assessed.