What is a residential service

A residential service is either a private boarding house, supported accommodation hostel or aged rental accommodation.

Residential services are accommodation types where:

• at least 4 residents (other than the owner) live in 1 or more rooms and pay rent
• each resident has a right to occupy 1 or more rooms, but not the whole premises
• rooms are not self-contained
• residents share facilities like a bathroom or kitchen which is outside of their room.

A residential service may also provide a food service and/or a personal care service. Please note that a residential service can be a self-contained unit complex where a food service is provided to the residents.

Your responsibilities

As a residential service provider, you need to:

• apply for registration to operate your residential service
• apply for accreditation
• always comply with the Residential Services (Accreditation) Act 2002 (the Act).

Residential Services Unit

The Residential Services Unit aims to:

• regulate the conduct and standards of residential services through registration and accreditation
• encourage providers to continually improve their services by providing the highest quality of service
• monitor the effects of regulation on the industry and residents
• monitor for compliance with the Act
• investigate complaints relating to alleged breaches of the Act.

You can contact the Residential Services Unit by:

• emailing resservices@communities.qld.gov.au
• phoning 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
• phoning the Residential Services Unit directly on (07) 3008 5824.

Exemptions

Services exempt from being a residential service include:

• accommodation specifically for tourists or travellers, such as backpackers, motels, and bed and breakfasts
• student accommodation
• retirement villages registered under the Retirement Villages Act 1999.
• accommodation to employees in connection with their work, or contractors in connection with their service contracts
• services regulated under other legislation, including   
  • aged care service under the Aged Care Act 1997 (Commonwealth)
  • an authorised mental health service under the Mental Health Act 2000
  • private hospitals under the Private Health Facilities Act 1999
  • licensed premises under the Liquor Act 1992  
• services that have funding agreements with a government agency, including those
  • under funding or in premises owned by Aboriginal Hostels Limited
  • conducted by the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services and the Department of Housing and Public Works
  • funded under the Housing Act 2003 or the Disability Services Act 1992.

More information

For more information on residential services, you can:

• email resservices@communities.qld.gov.au
• phone 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
• phone the Residential Services Unit on (07) 3008 5824.

For further information regarding rooming accommodation agreements, contact the Residential Tenancies Authority on 1300 366 311.