We provide a range of housing products and services to help Queenslanders find and keep safe, secure and affordable housing, whether it’s in the private rental market, home-ownership or in social housing. In Queensland, social housing refers to both public housing and community housing.
We will work with you to help you understand the housing help and support you may be eligible for and how to apply.
We understand that unexpected events, such as experiencing domestic and family violence or family breakdown, serious illness or a death within the family, or loss of employment or increased rents in the private market can affect the safety or stability of your home.
Your safety comes first. If you are not safe at home, or you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, we will prioritise giving you the information and help you need to support you into safe accommodation.
Social housing is made up of 2 types of housing, public housing and community housing. Social housing is short, medium or long-term housing that is for eligible people in need of housing assistance, who cannot access other forms of housing.
Public housing
Public housing is long-term housing managed by the Queensland Government. It is for eligible people who are in the highest need of housing assistance and who cannot access any other forms of housing.
Public housing is a type of social housing.
Community housing
Community housing is housing assistance delivered by non-government organisations, local governments and community organisations. It is for eligible people in need of housing assistance, who cannot access other forms of housing.
Community housing is a type of social housing.
Understanding your need
We will help you access the right housing options based on your situation and needs. Public housing and community housing properties are in demand and, when available, are offered to people with the highest level of need. If you are not eligible for public and community housing, there are other ways we can help.
To best support you, we need to understand:
where you are living now and why you’re needing help to find housing
the type of housing assistance you’re seeking
any safety concerns, for example domestic and family and/or sexual violence, or a child in your care being at risk of harm
your past housing history including if you are or have been homeless or are at risk of homelessness
any disability and health conditions you or your family members may have
your income and assets, budgeting skills and debts
any help you get from family members or from support agencies, for example a NDIS service provider or a youth service
your social and community connections and involvement with friends and family
your housing goals now and in future.
Assessing your need
Once we have a deeper understanding of your circumstances and housing and support needs, we can help you make informed choices about the housing services that will match your needs.
If you are being helped by other support agencies and if you consent, we will work with them to build a tailored housing and support option that works for you.
Highest level of need
A person who has the highest level of need is someone with particular disadvantage. This may include someone:
with complex health, safety, and wellbeing needs
who is experiencing significant social or economic circumstances that prevent or limit their capacity to access and sustain safe and affordable housing independently in the private market.
Public housing
Public housing is long-term housing managed by the Queensland Government. It is for eligible people who are in the highest need of housing assistance and who cannot access any other forms of housing.
Public housing is a type of social housing.
Community housing
Community housing is housing assistance delivered by non-government organisations, local governments and community organisations. It is for eligible people in need of housing assistance, who cannot access other forms of housing.
Community housing is a type of social housing.
Housing assistance options
We have a range of products and services to support you to achieve safe and stable housing. You may need one or more services to meet your needs. We can help you make informed choices about the services to apply for.
Select the situation that applies to you or what you need help with to see assistance options.
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Help is available for people who don’t have safe, stable housing, including people who are couch-surfing:
The Homeless Hotline provides phone information and referral services for people who are homeless.
A Helping Hand Headlease may be suitable if you can afford a private rental but are having difficulties getting a private tenancy application approved.
If you’re a tenant in a private rental, but are having trouble paying rent or keeping the tenancy for other reasons, these services may help:
QSTARS provides advice, help and support with tenancy issues.
RentConnect Tenancy Assistance provides support, including temporary financial assistance, to overcome short-term tenancy problems.
Rental Security Subsidy provides short-term financial support to help sustain your existing tenancy.
Skillsets for Successful Tenancies is a free competency-based training program that develops tenancy and life skills for people in the private rental market.
No Interest Loan Scheme assists Queenslanders who need extra support to set up or continue a private rental tenancy.
Short-term help with home loan repayments is available for people who are having difficulties paying their mortgage due to unemployment, accident, illness, or some other unexpected or unforeseen crisis.
If you’re finding it difficult to live in your current home due to illness or you want to downsize, support is available:
See information, referrals and subsidies for seniors aged 60 years and over and people with disability to undertake critical home maintenance, repairs or modifications to live safely and independently.
If we have worked with you to explore all housing support options and you are still without suitable housing in the private market, you may be eligible for public housing or community housing.
A Helping Hand Headlease may be suitable if you can afford a private rental but are having difficulties getting a private tenancy application approved.
If you’re a tenant in a private rental, but are having trouble paying rent or keeping the tenancy for other reasons, these services may help:
QSTARS provides advice, help and support with tenancy issues.
RentConnect Tenancy Assistance provides support, including temporary financial assistance, to overcome short-term tenancy problems.
Rental Security Subsidy provides short-term financial support to help sustain your existing tenancy.
Skillsets for Successful Tenancies is a free competency-based training program that develops tenancy and life skills for people in the private rental market.
No Interest Loan Scheme assists Queenslanders who need extra support to set up or continue a private rental tenancy.
Short-term help with home loan repayments is available for people who are having difficulties paying their mortgage due to unemployment, accident, illness, or some other unexpected or unforeseen crisis.
If you’re finding it difficult to live in your current home due to illness or you want to downsize, support is available:
See information, referrals and subsidies for seniors aged 60 years and over and people with disability to undertake critical home maintenance, repairs or modifications to live safely and independently.
Being eligible does not guarantee that you will be offered a home. People with more urgent and complex needs are offered housing assistance ahead of people with less complex needs.
If you're not eligible for public and community housing, we'll help you understand how to access other housing products and services that might meet your needs.
To be eligible for public and community housing, you must:
you have a reason to need to move as your current home is affecting your wellbeing and is not meeting your housing needs
you have at least 2 non-financial wellbeing needs that make it hard for you to have your housing needs met through other housing options, including things that affect your health and safety
you have 1 financial need which shows you are experiencing significant financial difficulties, making it hard for you to have your housing needs met through other housing options, and your household income is within the eligibility limits.
If you want to live in a remote and discrete Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, you must also:
identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander or both, and/or
have permission from the Council or Trustee to live in the community.
Read on for details about each eligibility criteria that you and the people listed on your application must meet.
1. Queensland residency
You (the person signing the application for social housing and who would become the legal tenant) must live in Queensland.
We may make an exception if you live in a border area or are applying from another Australian state or territory and can prove that you have a definite need to move to Queensland.
You (the person signing the application and who would become the legal tenant) need to either:
be an Australian citizen
be a permanent resident of Australia
have a Permanent Protection Visa or Resolution of Status Visa
have a Safe Haven Enterprise Visa
have a Bridging Visa and have applied for a Protection Visa or Resolution of Status Visa
be on a Temporary Protection Visa.
If you've applied for permanent residency, a Permanent Protection Visa or a Resolution of Status Visa, you can apply for housing assistance. However, you won't be considered for an offer of public and community housing until your residency is resolved.
3. Property ownership
You and all the people listed on your application must not own or part-own property in Australia or overseas, including:
a residential home (house, flat, unit or townhouse)
a manufactured or transportable home
vacant land, including rural property
land on which a mobile home, cabin, caravan, donga or live-aboard boat has been placed for use as a residence
improved or unimproved commercial or industrial property
property held in a trust.
Some exceptions may apply, such as:
in the case of domestic and family and/or sexual violence, marriage breakdown or extreme hardship
when the vacant land is in a natural disaster area.
If you own property, talk to your nearest Housing Service Centre about your housing needs, as you might still be eligible.
4. Assets
When added together, the liquid assets owned by you and all the people listed on your application must not equal more than these limits:
single-person household: $116,375
household with 2 or more people: $148,625.
Liquid assets include but are not limited to:
money
shares, fixed investments and managed funds
property trusts
superannuation payouts (if the person has reached the preservation age)
the value of caravans, mobile homes and live-aboard boats.
Some assets aren't included, such as vehicles, home contents and collectibles.
5. Your wellbeing
We want to understand how your current housing situation affects your wellbeing to make sure people with more urgent and complex needs are offered housing assistance.
We consider:
why you need to move from your current housing
the number and type of wellbeing needs that you and your household members have
how complex and serious these needs are.
To be eligible, you must have:
1 reason to need to move
2 complex wellbeing needs (non-financial)
1 financial need.
Your need to move
You must have at least 1 acceptable reason to need to move from your current home.
These are some examples of a reason to need to move:
You're homeless or likely to become homeless (e.g. you live on the streets or in a car; you're couch-surfing; or your rental tenancy is ending and you have no housing to go to).
You're experiencing domestic and family and/or sexual violence.
You currently live in an unsuitable location.
The features of your current home don't meet your or your household’s needs.
You can’t afford the rent in your current housing.
Complex wellbeing needs (non-financial)
You must have at least 2 complex wellbeing needs (i.e. things that make it hard for you to have your housing needs met through other housing options).
These are some examples of complex wellbeing needs:
Either you or a household member has a serious, long-term medical issue or disability.
You are currently homeless or have been homeless at least 1 other time in the last 3 years.
You’ve been evicted 2 or more times in the last 3 years.
You’ve had multiple unsuccessful private rental applications.
The private rental market has no appropriate housing that meets your needs.
You have a child who is at risk of harm or returning from foster or kinship care to their family.
You’re a young person leaving the child protection system or custody.
Either you or a household member is experiencing domestic and family and/or sexual violence, or other safety concerns.
Financial wellbeing
You must have 1 financial need. We assess whether your financial situation makes it hard for your housing needs to be met through other housing options.
These are some examples:
You’ve been unemployed for a continuous period of 12 months or more.
You are currently unemployed and have experienced unemployment multiple times over the last 12 months.
You are unable to work and have high living expenses due to a serious, long-term medical condition or significant and permanent disability, and are experiencing financial hardship due to continuing medical expenses.
You are employed (full time, part time or casual) and earn an amount that's within the social housing income eligibility limits for your household.
To find out whether a payment you receive is included when we assess your household income, contact your nearest Housing Service Centre.
6. Household income
You need to show evidence of the total income for you and all the people in your household before any deductions such as tax and superannuation are taken out (i.e. gross income).
We don’t include some income types when we assess a household's income, such as certain Centrelink payments. To find out whether a payment you receive is included when we assess your household income, contact your nearest Housing Service Centre.
To be eligible for public and community housing, your household's total gross weekly assessable income must be less than the income limits, based on the number of people in your household. See the table below:
Household members
Household weekly gross Income limit (must be this amount or less)
Single person, no children
$609
Single person with 1 child
$755
Single person with 2 children
$877
Single person with 3 or more children
$999
2 single people
$755
2 single people and 1 child
$877
2 single people with 2 children
$999
3 single people
$877
3 single people and 1 child
$999
4 single people
$999
5 single people
$1121
Couple with no children
$755
Couple with 1 child
$877
Couple and 1 single person
$877
Couple with 2 children
$999
Couple with 3 or more children
$1121
Couple with 1 single person and 2 or more children
$1121
Couple with 2 children and 1 single person
$1121
2 couples with 1 or more children
$1121
Other households with 5 or more people including at least 2 adults
$1121
7. Independent income
We assess whether the income you receive is enough to pay rent and financially manage a tenancy. At least 1 applicant who will sign the tenancy agreement must receive an independent income.
To be eligible:
the independent income must be more than $226.81 every week
the applicant must have received this income for at least 4 weeks before applying for public and community housing
the income must be considered 'assessable income' (as some income isn't assessed).
If any household member has no income, has a very low income or can’t identify or verify their income, we will assess them as having the income of their equivalent Centrelink payment (i.e. the payment that would match their circumstances even if they don't qualify for that payment).
The equivalent Centrelink payment is based on:
age
marital status
whether they live at, or away from home
whether they have children.
If you hold a Temporary Protection Visa or are in a correctional facility, and don't yet have an independent income, you can apply for social housing. If you’re eligible, we’ll add you to the housing register but won’t consider you for an offer of housing until you receive income.
Public housing
Public housing is long-term housing managed by the Queensland Government. It is for eligible people who are in the highest need of housing assistance and who cannot access any other forms of housing.
Public housing is a type of social housing.
Community housing
Community housing is housing assistance delivered by non-government organisations, local governments and community organisations. It is for eligible people in need of housing assistance, who cannot access other forms of housing.
Community housing is a type of social housing.
Independent income
An independent income is a regular source of income received continuously for the last 4 weeks. It may be in the form of wages or Centrelink payments.
Highest level of need
A person who has the highest level of need is someone with particular disadvantage. This may include someone:
with complex health, safety, and wellbeing needs
who is experiencing significant social or economic circumstances that prevent or limit their capacity to access and sustain safe and affordable housing independently in the private market.
an employee of the Department of Housing or any Queensland Government department or agency
an employee of a registered community housing provider or homelessness service
a Queensland Corrective Services officer
a Justice of the Peace, Commissioner for Declarations or solicitor.
The witness will need to see 2 proof-of-identity documents. You can also sign your application and provide your identity documents at a Housing Service Centre.
If your circumstances change after you apply, you must tell your local Housing Service Centre about the changes within 28 days.
The Housing Service Centre can give you advice and support, and help you with your application.
What to include in your application
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Income from Centrelink
If you receive a pension or allowance from Services Australia (Centrelink) and are at least 15 years old, you can use the income confirmation service.
This free service lets us access your income and assets information directly from Centrelink. This means you don’t have to provide proof of your Centrelink income each time we assess your eligibility.
If you or a household member earns other income, such as wages, you still need to provide proof of this income to us before we can assess your application.
return the form to your nearest Housing Service Centre. Do not return the form to Centrelink.
You can also get the form from your nearest Housing Service Centre.
Once you're signed up for the service, we send your details to Centrelink electronically. Centrelink sends us information that’s on your Centrelink income and asset statement, including:
current or past payment details
any dependents
Centrelink deductions
income details
assets details.
We use the information that Centrelink sends us only to assess your eligibility for housing assistance.
We will ask you for information about other income if required.
You can withdraw from the service any time by contacting your nearest Housing Service Centre.
If you choose not to use this service, you’ll need to provide your income and assets information each time we ask for it.
Failing to provide this information will affect your eligibility for social housing.
Proof of other income
Income support payments:
income and assets statement from Services Australia (Centrelink) or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Earned income (wages, salaries, casual, overtime, bonuses and fringe benefits):
wage information on your employer’s official letterhead
wage slips for proving casual income over 4 weeks.
Self-employment:
the previous year’s Notice of Assessment from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
Other income types:
a WorkCover payment advice letter or payment slip to prove workers compensation income
a written statement from your superannuation company to prove payments from super funds or investments after you've retired
a letter or advice proving the payment and frequency of overseas pensions if you don’t also receive payment from Centrelink
a recent quarterly bank statement showing interest earned from a personal or business financial institution, such as a bank, credit union or building society account.
Property ownership
If you or a household member owns or part-owns any of these property types in Australia or overseas, you must provide evidence of ownership with your housing assistance application:
residential property, including a house, flat, unit or townhouse
vacant land, including rural
land with a mobile home, cabin, caravan, donga or live-aboard boat on it for use as a residence
a manufactured or transportable home
improved or unimproved commercial or industrial property
superannuation payouts (if the person has reached preservation age)
the value of caravans, mobile homes and live-aboard boats.
You must provide evidence of all liquid assets that you and your household own. This could include:
your most recent quarterly bank statement
a Centrelink income and assets statement
written advice showing the amount and frequency of any overseas pension
a WorkCover payment advice letter or payment slip that shows a compensation payout
a letter from a solicitor confirming any lump sum payout
for people over preservation age, a written statement from a superannuation fund showing the total sum of a super account or investment
a written statement from a financial institution showing the total sum held in shares, bonds, debentures or managed investments
for assets held in trust, a copy of the ‘trust deed’ or similar legal document that identifies all assets owned by the trust, the beneficiaries and the percentage of share
a current document showing the value of the caravan, mobile home, cabin, donga or live-aboard boat (e.g. receipt of sale, valuation less than 1 year old, value listed on insurance documents).
For more information and help with providing evidence to support your application, contact your nearest Housing Service Centre.
You must lodge 2 original and valid (not expired) proof-of-identification documents with your application.
At least 1 of the documents must be a primary identification document.
Primary documents
Full birth certificate or extract of birth certificate or birth card as provided by other state registries
Driver licence with photo
Queensland weapons licence with photo
Naturalisation or citizenship certificate
Passport
Photo identification card, adult proof of age card or 18+ card
Keypass ID card with photo or Keypass in Digital iD
Immigration papers or other documents issued by the Department of Home Affairs
Queensland Corrective Services—Proof of identity form (if you're applying for assistance while living in a correctional facility located in Queensland)
Permanent Resident Evidence (PRE) ImmiCard issued by the Department of Home Affairs for Protection Visa holders
If you can't provide any primary identification, provide 2 forms of secondary identification.
Secondary documents
Apprenticeship indenture papers
Australian marriage certificate
Notice of Assessment from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
Bank, credit or ATM card with signature
Documents from Services Australia (Centrelink) showing your name and customer reference number (CRN), including:
letters
a valid Pension Card or Health Care Card
Pensioner Concession Card
Low Income Health Care Card or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card You can provide either the original documents or digital copies available through the Services Australia Express Plus app.
Divorce papers
Green Medicare card
Life insurance policies
Occupational registration documents
Other recognised photographic ID (e.g. security identification, Cash Converters card)
Recent bank statements, bankbook, credit union or building society statement showing recent transactions
Student card with photo
Referrals or reports from incorporated organisations, such as:
social welfare bodies
trade unions
employers
schools
Letter of identification issued by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service
Proof of identity form or card issued by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Local Government Authority
Note: An 'incorporated' organisation is an organisation set up as a legal entity (i.e. a 'corporation' or 'company'). It can be a private or public business, non-profit organisation, sports club or government organisation.
If you have a medical condition or disability that affects your housing needs, you need to provide information about this with your application. This helps us work with you to find a housing option that's appropriate for you and your household’s disability and medical needs.
Provide information about:
the nature of the disability and/or medical condition
your household’s specific requirements
the reason that your current housing is inappropriate.
If the physical amenity of your current housing doesn't meet your needs, you can provide:
a letter from an NDIS support provider or local area coordinator
written advice from an occupational therapist, or a health or support provider, about the nature of the disability or medical condition, why your current housing is inappropriate and how it restricts your, or your household's daily living activities
a support statement (PDF, 806.3 KB)
completed by you or your advocate, and/or each support worker/health professional separately, which outlines your situation and needs.
If your current housing lacks essential facilities or shared facilities, you can provide confirmation from a relevant community or support agency that the living conditions are inappropriate due to a lack of essential facilities.
These may include:
cooking facilities
bathroom facilities
water supply
electricity for a hot water system, lighting and batteries in smoke detectors.
If your current housing has health and safety issues (i.e. structural condition or size of property), you can provide:
documentation from the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) that shows any action taken to fix the situation under the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008
a report from a qualified tradesperson and/or building inspector that details the property's structural condition/issues and confirms that it doesn't meet legal health and safety standards.
If you need to move, you must provide evidence of the reason.
Current housing is not near essential services or transport
If your current housing isn't located near essential services or transport, provide information that explains:
the nature of the medical condition or disability and the specific health or support requirements
why the current location is inappropriate, including distance from health or support services
the ability to travel to other locations to access these services.
This information should be provided by:
an NDIS support provider or local area coordinator
an occupational therapist
a health or support provider.
Access to/custody of child, shared care of child or foster care arrangements
If your current housing doesn't enable access to/custody of child, shared care of child or foster care arrangements, you should provide:
information from the Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services confirming the conditions for the return of a child to your or a household member's care
information from Legal Aid confirming the return of the child to your or a household member's care
a copy of a court order outlining access visit arrangements for the child or children
any other relevant legal documents, or an affidavit or statutory declaration completed by both caregivers that outlines access visit arrangements for the child or children.
Proximity to domestic and family violence or sexual violence perpetrator
If you have safety concerns, please talk to us by contacting a Housing Service Centre in person or over the phone.
Family, social and community connections
If your current housing is far from family, social and community connections, provide an affidavit or statutory declaration from a your family member or informal support provider that confirms:
the need for the support
the current home’s distance from the support services
the household’s ability to travel to receive the necessary family, social and community connections.
Education or training services
If your current housing is far from your current education or training location, provide details from the registered education or training provider confirming:
enrolment details
period of course or enrolment
location of education or training facility or service
your ability to travel to access the education or training service.
Employment
If the location of your current housing prevents you accepting an employment offer, provide information from the employer, recruitment agency or government agency about the need to move. (The employment must be at least 20 hours per week.)
If your job needs you to transfer to another location, provide information from your employer confirming that you need to transfer to another work location to maintain your employment.
Moving closer to family
If your family is split across more than one location and you need appropriate housing, provide:
information from a community support agency or emergency care provider that confirms your circumstances
information from your landlord, family or friends that confirms the circumstances and the reason that your current housing arrangement is inappropriate.
Cultural reasons
If you need to move for cultural reasons, provide information that explains the circumstances. This information may be from:
an Elder of the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community
community health or support agency
police.
Unaffordable rent
If you spend 30% or more of your income on rent, provide evidence of the rent you currently pay. This can include:
rent or board receipts
current tenancy agreement
information from your landlord or real estate agent confirming the weekly rent or board amount.
If you or a household member is experiencing domestic and family or sexual violence, contact us to talk about your situation.
Tell us if you need to leave your current housing immediately, and we'll connect you to support services.
You don’t need to provide evidence of your safety needs, but please tell us if you have any of these documents, as it helps us understand your needs:
information from a domestic and family or sexual violence support service, hospital, community support agency or emergency care provider that confirms your circumstances
information from a third party confirming your customer circumstances
information from housing or community workers confirming your circumstances
a domestic violence protection order
a protection order
a Family Court order
confirmation from the Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services that you or a household member is at risk
a peace and good behaviour order
supporting evidence from police confirming that you or a household member is at risk.
We will complete our assessment once you've given us
all income and asset information for you and your household
your proof of ID
all other evidence we need about your circumstances.
We will tell you in writing whether you’re eligible for public and community housing.
If you are eligible, we'll ask you about the kind of home you need as part of your application.
Type of housing
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You can choose which of the following types of housing you want to apply for.
The type of housing you may be offered, if you’re eligible, depends on what's available in your chosen areas and the number of bedrooms your household is entitled to.
Detached house – a house with 2 or more bedrooms on 1 block of land
Duplex – usually 2 units, with 1–3 bedrooms in each, divided by a common wall, on 1 block of land
Dual occupancy – 2 properties on 1 block of land
Cluster house – several attached or separate homes, with 2–4 bedrooms in each, within a housing development
Townhouse – 3 or more units next to each other, with 1–4 bedrooms in each, divided by common walls
Apartment / flat / unit – usually a complex of 2 or more storeys, with 1–3 bedrooms in each
Seniors’ unit – for people over the age of 55, usually in a complex of 1–2 storeys, with 1–2 bedrooms in each
Bedroom entitlements
We will work out how many bedrooms your household is entitled to based on the number, age and gender of the people in your household.
These are the bedroom entitlements:
Bedrooms
People
1 bedroom
Single person
Couple
2 bedrooms
2 single people sharing
Single or couple with 1–2 children
3 bedrooms
3 single people sharing
Single or couple with 2–4 children
4 bedrooms
4 single people sharing
Single or couple with 3–6 children
5 bedrooms (reviewable property)
5 single people sharing
Single or couple with 4–8 children
6 bedrooms (reviewable property)
6 single people sharing
Single or couple with 5–10 children
7 bedrooms (reviewable property)
7 single people sharing
Single or couple with 6–12 children
Seniors’ unit
Single person over 55 years
Couple over 55 years
Requesting fewer bedrooms
You can ask for housing with fewer bedrooms to increase your chance of getting a property sooner. However, we first need to agree that serious overcrowding won't occur.
If you request and are offered the smaller housing, you won't be able to transfer to larger housing unless there are special circumstances.
How we assess bedroom entitlements
Usually no more than 2 children of the same gender can share a bedroom. If the bedroom is big enough, 3 children of the same gender can share.
If there's an age gap of 7 years or more between children of the same gender, each child gets their own bedroom.
If someone in the property is 3 months pregnant or more (confirmed with a doctor’s certificate), enough bedrooms are provided to allow for a baby of either gender.
Couples are given 1 bedroom only.
Single people who are aged 18 or more when they apply and are housed will receive a separate bedroom.
If someone in the property has regular and ongoing custody of children, these children are included in the assessment of bedroom entitlements. You must provide evidence of the custody arrangements.
If there are any changes to your household or housing need, you must tell us within 28 days.
We review your eligibility and housing need again while you're on the housing register and before we may consider you for an offer of housing.
You should also talk to your nearest Housing Service Centre if a household member needs an extra bedroom for:
health, medical or disability–related equipment
support needs
a live-in carer.
Note: Housing offers will depend on the availability of housing in your chosen areas and the number of people ahead of you on the housing register with higher needs.
Help with your application
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Your guardian, administrator, informal guardian, informal administrator or support person can help you with your application.
Guardians manage the daily affairs of an adult with impaired decision-making capacity. They make personal and lifestyle decisions about things like medical treatment, housing, employment and support services.
Administrators manage the financial, legal and property affairs of an adult with impaired decision-making capacity.
Informal guardians/informal administrators support people with impaired decision-making through a private arrangement. They are often a close relative or friend. Please tell us if a close family member or friend is helping you make decisions about your personal or financial matters.
QCAT may appoint a formal guardian or administrator to help the adult with decisions. The adult can have more than one guardian or administrator making decisions on their behalf. QCAT will clearly explain the decision-making powers that the guardian or administrator has.
Note: Guardians and administrators may also have been appointed by the former Guardianship and Administration Tribunal (GAAT).
A guardian or administrator:
must be over 18 years of age
must not be a paid carer or health provider for the adult.
If we need to contact your guardian or administrator, we need to have their contact details and know what decisions they can make. We won't contact a guardian or administrator about your decisions unless they complete this form.
Public housing is long-term housing managed by the Queensland Government. It is for eligible people who are in the highest need of housing assistance and who cannot access any other forms of housing.
Public housing is a type of social housing.
Community housing
Community housing is housing assistance delivered by non-government organisations, local governments and community organisations. It is for eligible people in need of housing assistance, who cannot access other forms of housing.
Community housing is a type of social housing.
Property held in a trust
A trust is an arrangement where a person or company (the trustee) holds assets (trust property) in trust for the benefit of others (the beneficiaries).
Trust deed
A trust deed is a legal document that sets out the rules for establishing and operating the trust. It includes such things as the fund’s objectives, who can be a member and whether benefits can be paid as a lump sum or income stream.
Debentures
A debenture is a loan to a company at a fixed rate of interest and for a fixed term, usually 1 to 5 years. A debenture is secured by a trust deed over an asset, or assets, of a company.
What to include in your application
Income from Centrelink
If you receive a pension or allowance from Services Australia (Centrelink) and are at least 15 years old, you can use the income confirmation service.
This free service lets us access your income and assets information directly from Centrelink. This means you don’t have to provide proof of your Centrelink income each time we assess your eligibility.
If you or a household member earns other income, such as wages, you still need to provide proof of this income to us before we can assess your application.
return the form to your nearest Housing Service Centre. Do not return the form to Centrelink.
You can also get the form from your nearest Housing Service Centre.
Once you're signed up for the service, we send your details to Centrelink electronically. Centrelink sends us information that’s on your Centrelink income and asset statement, including:
current or past payment details
any dependents
Centrelink deductions
income details
assets details.
We use the information that Centrelink sends us only to assess your eligibility for housing assistance.
We will ask you for information about other income if required.
You can withdraw from the service any time by contacting your nearest Housing Service Centre.
If you choose not to use this service, you’ll need to provide your income and assets information each time we ask for it.
Failing to provide this information will affect your eligibility for social housing.
Proof of other income
Income support payments:
income and assets statement from Services Australia (Centrelink) or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Earned income (wages, salaries, casual, overtime, bonuses and fringe benefits):
wage information on your employer’s official letterhead
wage slips for proving casual income over 4 weeks.
Self-employment:
the previous year’s Notice of Assessment from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
Other income types:
a WorkCover payment advice letter or payment slip to prove workers compensation income
a written statement from your superannuation company to prove payments from super funds or investments after you've retired
a letter or advice proving the payment and frequency of overseas pensions if you don’t also receive payment from Centrelink
a recent quarterly bank statement showing interest earned from a personal or business financial institution, such as a bank, credit union or building society account.
Property ownership
If you or a household member owns or part-owns any of these property types in Australia or overseas, you must provide evidence of ownership with your housing assistance application:
residential property, including a house, flat, unit or townhouse
vacant land, including rural
land with a mobile home, cabin, caravan, donga or live-aboard boat on it for use as a residence
a manufactured or transportable home
improved or unimproved commercial or industrial property
superannuation payouts (if the person has reached preservation age)
the value of caravans, mobile homes and live-aboard boats.
You must provide evidence of all liquid assets that you and your household own. This could include:
your most recent quarterly bank statement
a Centrelink income and assets statement
written advice showing the amount and frequency of any overseas pension
a WorkCover payment advice letter or payment slip that shows a compensation payout
a letter from a solicitor confirming any lump sum payout
for people over preservation age, a written statement from a superannuation fund showing the total sum of a super account or investment
a written statement from a financial institution showing the total sum held in shares, bonds, debentures or managed investments
for assets held in trust, a copy of the ‘trust deed’ or similar legal document that identifies all assets owned by the trust, the beneficiaries and the percentage of share
a current document showing the value of the caravan, mobile home, cabin, donga or live-aboard boat (e.g. receipt of sale, valuation less than 1 year old, value listed on insurance documents).
For more information and help with providing evidence to support your application, contact your nearest Housing Service Centre.
You must lodge 2 original and valid (not expired) proof-of-identification documents with your application.
At least 1 of the documents must be a primary identification document.
Primary documents
Full birth certificate or extract of birth certificate or birth card as provided by other state registries
Driver licence with photo
Queensland weapons licence with photo
Naturalisation or citizenship certificate
Passport
Photo identification card, adult proof of age card or 18+ card
Keypass ID card with photo or Keypass in Digital iD
Immigration papers or other documents issued by the Department of Home Affairs
Queensland Corrective Services—Proof of identity form (if you're applying for assistance while living in a correctional facility located in Queensland)
Permanent Resident Evidence (PRE) ImmiCard issued by the Department of Home Affairs for Protection Visa holders
If you can't provide any primary identification, provide 2 forms of secondary identification.
Secondary documents
Apprenticeship indenture papers
Australian marriage certificate
Notice of Assessment from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
Bank, credit or ATM card with signature
Documents from Services Australia (Centrelink) showing your name and customer reference number (CRN), including:
letters
a valid Pension Card or Health Care Card
Pensioner Concession Card
Low Income Health Care Card or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card You can provide either the original documents or digital copies available through the Services Australia Express Plus app.
Divorce papers
Green Medicare card
Life insurance policies
Occupational registration documents
Other recognised photographic ID (e.g. security identification, Cash Converters card)
Recent bank statements, bankbook, credit union or building society statement showing recent transactions
Student card with photo
Referrals or reports from incorporated organisations, such as:
social welfare bodies
trade unions
employers
schools
Letter of identification issued by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service
Proof of identity form or card issued by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Local Government Authority
Note: An 'incorporated' organisation is an organisation set up as a legal entity (i.e. a 'corporation' or 'company'). It can be a private or public business, non-profit organisation, sports club or government organisation.
If you have a medical condition or disability that affects your housing needs, you need to provide information about this with your application. This helps us work with you to find a housing option that's appropriate for you and your household’s disability and medical needs.
Provide information about:
the nature of the disability and/or medical condition
your household’s specific requirements
the reason that your current housing is inappropriate.
If the physical amenity of your current housing doesn't meet your needs, you can provide:
a letter from an NDIS support provider or local area coordinator
written advice from an occupational therapist, or a health or support provider, about the nature of the disability or medical condition, why your current housing is inappropriate and how it restricts your, or your household's daily living activities
a support statement (PDF, 806.3 KB)
completed by you or your advocate, and/or each support worker/health professional separately, which outlines your situation and needs.
If your current housing lacks essential facilities or shared facilities, you can provide confirmation from a relevant community or support agency that the living conditions are inappropriate due to a lack of essential facilities.
These may include:
cooking facilities
bathroom facilities
water supply
electricity for a hot water system, lighting and batteries in smoke detectors.
If your current housing has health and safety issues (i.e. structural condition or size of property), you can provide:
documentation from the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) that shows any action taken to fix the situation under the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008
a report from a qualified tradesperson and/or building inspector that details the property's structural condition/issues and confirms that it doesn't meet legal health and safety standards.
If you need to move, you must provide evidence of the reason.
Current housing is not near essential services or transport
If your current housing isn't located near essential services or transport, provide information that explains:
the nature of the medical condition or disability and the specific health or support requirements
why the current location is inappropriate, including distance from health or support services
the ability to travel to other locations to access these services.
This information should be provided by:
an NDIS support provider or local area coordinator
an occupational therapist
a health or support provider.
Access to/custody of child, shared care of child or foster care arrangements
If your current housing doesn't enable access to/custody of child, shared care of child or foster care arrangements, you should provide:
information from the Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services confirming the conditions for the return of a child to your or a household member's care
information from Legal Aid confirming the return of the child to your or a household member's care
a copy of a court order outlining access visit arrangements for the child or children
any other relevant legal documents, or an affidavit or statutory declaration completed by both caregivers that outlines access visit arrangements for the child or children.
Proximity to domestic and family violence or sexual violence perpetrator
If you have safety concerns, please talk to us by contacting a Housing Service Centre in person or over the phone.
Family, social and community connections
If your current housing is far from family, social and community connections, provide an affidavit or statutory declaration from a your family member or informal support provider that confirms:
the need for the support
the current home’s distance from the support services
the household’s ability to travel to receive the necessary family, social and community connections.
Education or training services
If your current housing is far from your current education or training location, provide details from the registered education or training provider confirming:
enrolment details
period of course or enrolment
location of education or training facility or service
your ability to travel to access the education or training service.
Employment
If the location of your current housing prevents you accepting an employment offer, provide information from the employer, recruitment agency or government agency about the need to move. (The employment must be at least 20 hours per week.)
If your job needs you to transfer to another location, provide information from your employer confirming that you need to transfer to another work location to maintain your employment.
Moving closer to family
If your family is split across more than one location and you need appropriate housing, provide:
information from a community support agency or emergency care provider that confirms your circumstances
information from your landlord, family or friends that confirms the circumstances and the reason that your current housing arrangement is inappropriate.
Cultural reasons
If you need to move for cultural reasons, provide information that explains the circumstances. This information may be from:
an Elder of the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community
community health or support agency
police.
Unaffordable rent
If you spend 30% or more of your income on rent, provide evidence of the rent you currently pay. This can include:
rent or board receipts
current tenancy agreement
information from your landlord or real estate agent confirming the weekly rent or board amount.
If you or a household member is experiencing domestic and family or sexual violence, contact us to talk about your situation.
Tell us if you need to leave your current housing immediately, and we'll connect you to support services.
You don’t need to provide evidence of your safety needs, but please tell us if you have any of these documents, as it helps us understand your needs:
information from a domestic and family or sexual violence support service, hospital, community support agency or emergency care provider that confirms your circumstances
information from a third party confirming your customer circumstances
information from housing or community workers confirming your circumstances
a domestic violence protection order
a protection order
a Family Court order
confirmation from the Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services that you or a household member is at risk
a peace and good behaviour order
supporting evidence from police confirming that you or a household member is at risk.
Type of housing
You can choose which of the following types of housing you want to apply for.
The type of housing you may be offered, if you’re eligible, depends on what's available in your chosen areas and the number of bedrooms your household is entitled to.
Detached house – a house with 2 or more bedrooms on 1 block of land
Duplex – usually 2 units, with 1–3 bedrooms in each, divided by a common wall, on 1 block of land
Dual occupancy – 2 properties on 1 block of land
Cluster house – several attached or separate homes, with 2–4 bedrooms in each, within a housing development
Townhouse – 3 or more units next to each other, with 1–4 bedrooms in each, divided by common walls
Apartment / flat / unit – usually a complex of 2 or more storeys, with 1–3 bedrooms in each
Seniors’ unit – for people over the age of 55, usually in a complex of 1–2 storeys, with 1–2 bedrooms in each
Bedroom entitlements
We will work out how many bedrooms your household is entitled to based on the number, age and gender of the people in your household.
These are the bedroom entitlements:
Bedrooms
People
1 bedroom
Single person
Couple
2 bedrooms
2 single people sharing
Single or couple with 1–2 children
3 bedrooms
3 single people sharing
Single or couple with 2–4 children
4 bedrooms
4 single people sharing
Single or couple with 3–6 children
5 bedrooms (reviewable property)
5 single people sharing
Single or couple with 4–8 children
6 bedrooms (reviewable property)
6 single people sharing
Single or couple with 5–10 children
7 bedrooms (reviewable property)
7 single people sharing
Single or couple with 6–12 children
Seniors’ unit
Single person over 55 years
Couple over 55 years
Requesting fewer bedrooms
You can ask for housing with fewer bedrooms to increase your chance of getting a property sooner. However, we first need to agree that serious overcrowding won't occur.
If you request and are offered the smaller housing, you won't be able to transfer to larger housing unless there are special circumstances.
How we assess bedroom entitlements
Usually no more than 2 children of the same gender can share a bedroom. If the bedroom is big enough, 3 children of the same gender can share.
If there's an age gap of 7 years or more between children of the same gender, each child gets their own bedroom.
If someone in the property is 3 months pregnant or more (confirmed with a doctor’s certificate), enough bedrooms are provided to allow for a baby of either gender.
Couples are given 1 bedroom only.
Single people who are aged 18 or more when they apply and are housed will receive a separate bedroom.
If someone in the property has regular and ongoing custody of children, these children are included in the assessment of bedroom entitlements. You must provide evidence of the custody arrangements.
If there are any changes to your household or housing need, you must tell us within 28 days.
We review your eligibility and housing need again while you're on the housing register and before we may consider you for an offer of housing.
You should also talk to your nearest Housing Service Centre if a household member needs an extra bedroom for:
health, medical or disability–related equipment
support needs
a live-in carer.
Note: Housing offers will depend on the availability of housing in your chosen areas and the number of people ahead of you on the housing register with higher needs.
Help with your application
Your guardian, administrator, informal guardian, informal administrator or support person can help you with your application.
Guardians manage the daily affairs of an adult with impaired decision-making capacity. They make personal and lifestyle decisions about things like medical treatment, housing, employment and support services.
Administrators manage the financial, legal and property affairs of an adult with impaired decision-making capacity.
Informal guardians/informal administrators support people with impaired decision-making through a private arrangement. They are often a close relative or friend. Please tell us if a close family member or friend is helping you make decisions about your personal or financial matters.
QCAT may appoint a formal guardian or administrator to help the adult with decisions. The adult can have more than one guardian or administrator making decisions on their behalf. QCAT will clearly explain the decision-making powers that the guardian or administrator has.
Note: Guardians and administrators may also have been appointed by the former Guardianship and Administration Tribunal (GAAT).
A guardian or administrator:
must be over 18 years of age
must not be a paid carer or health provider for the adult.
If we need to contact your guardian or administrator, we need to have their contact details and know what decisions they can make. We won't contact a guardian or administrator about your decisions unless they complete this form.
We assess applications for housing against the eligibility criteria for public housing and community housing. This helps us provide housing to people with the highest needs who can’t access safe and stable housing.
We look at whether you meet the eligibility criteria of Australian citizenship and residency, and Queensland residency. Each person who will sign the tenancy agreement must meet this test.
We assess the assets you and your household have against the assets limit for your household size. If someone on the application owns or part-owns property, we will assess this using the evidence you gave us. We may contact you about why you can’t use this property as your home or dispose of these assets and use the funds to access housing.
We consider your housing needs against the wellbeing criteria which helps us gain a broader understanding of your circumstances and needs. You must have at least:
1 reason to move from your current home
at least 2 wellbeing factors and 1 financial need which show that you can’t get stable housing through other options.
We look at whether the total assessable income of you and the people who will live with you is below the income limit for your household type or size. This helps us determine whether your income is a barrier to accessing housing in the private market.
We will also check whether you have an independent income and can pay rent and financially manage a tenancy. At least one applicant must meet this test.
After we’ve assessed your eligibility, we’ll look at your needs to see whether public and community housing or other products and services provide an appropriate outcome. Before making a decision, we will also consider the impacts of the decision on you and your circumstances and human rights.
If you’re not eligible for public and community housing
If you're eligible for public and community housing
If you're eligible for public and community housing, you will be placed on the housing register. If you can accept an offer of housing, your application will be made active and if you are not in a position to accept an offer of housing, your application will be made inactive. You will receive a letter to confirm this.
The housing register is a record of eligible applications for public and community housing.
You will be on the housing register for reasons including:
your level of housing need
the preferred locations where you want to live
the type of housing (e.g. apartment, house) you want to live in
the number of bedrooms you’re eligible for
the date of your eligible application.
Depending on your circumstances, you may not receive an offer of housing for a long time, or at all. People with more urgent and complex needs are offered housing assistance ahead of people with less complex needs. This includes when a person’s safety and wellbeing is at risk or the person is homeless or living in unsafe housing.
We can’t predict if or when offers of public or community housing will be made. Offers of housing are affected by:
the level of your housing needs compared to other people with higher and more urgent needs
the number of properties in the areas you want to live in
the number of vacant properties that become available (due to people moving out of public and community housing)
your circumstances and needs being a good match to an available property
the number of people who have the same or higher housing need in the same area as you, and whose applications were eligible before yours, and are a good match to the available property.
If we don't offer you housing, we can still help you—you can talk with us about other housing options while you are on the housing register.
While you’re on the housing register
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It’s important you respond to us when we contact you. You must keep your contact details with us up to date.
We may contact you by phone, email, SMS or by sending you a letter to check:
if your housing needs have changed
that you’re still eligible for public and community housing
that your information is still current
if you are ready to accept an offer of housing, should an offer be made to you.
We understand that you may not be ready to be considered for an offer due to unplanned circumstances. We can talk to you about your circumstances and can make your application inactive on the housing register until you are ready.
If you don’t respond to our phone calls or letters within the timeframe we give you, we may remove your application from the housing register.
Changes in your household may affect your eligibility and need for public and community housing. It is important to keep your information with us up to date. You must tell us within 28 days about any changes to:
your address—we may cancel your application if we do not have your current address and cannot contact you
your name—for example if you marry, divorce, separate or change your name
your income or the income of the people on your application
the number of people on your application—for example, you have another child, you and your partner separate, you add or remove a household member from your application
your circumstances that affect your ability to find suitable housing in the private market
your household circumstances, and if you no longer need housing assistance
the areas you want to live in
your health or a household member's health—for example, if a household member cannot climb stairs or needs specific housing features because of a medical condition or disability. You will need to provide a letter from your doctor explaining how the change in health affects your housing needs
your circumstances that affect your readiness to be considered for an offer of housing.
Contact your nearest Housing Service Centre to talk about your circumstances and housing needs.
Note: It is an offence under the Housing Act 2003 to knowingly provide false or misleading information that may influence decisions about your eligibility for housing services.
We will review your eligibility and circumstances while you’re on the housing register so we can work with you to find the right housing options.
It’s important that you respond to any contact we make, otherwise we may remove your application from the housing register.
If your circumstances change, you may no longer be eligible for public and community housing. If you are no longer eligible, we will remove your application from the housing register and work with you to find other housing products and services which may help meet your needs.
Tell us if you’re going away for more than 28 days. This is so we don’t remove your housing application from the housing register if you don’t respond to our letters or phone calls during the time you’re away.
Tell us if you no longer need housing assistance so we can remove your application from the housing register. Contact your nearest Housing Service Centre to talk about your housing needs and they can help you find other housing assistance options if needed.
Public housing
Public housing is long-term housing managed by the Queensland Government. It is for eligible people who are in the highest need of housing assistance and who cannot access any other forms of housing.
Public housing is a type of social housing.
Social housing
Social housing is made up of 2 types of housing, public housing and community housing. Social housing is short, medium or long-term housing that is for eligible people in need of housing assistance, who cannot access other forms of housing.
Exceptional circumstances
Exceptional circumstances are when a customer is experiencing a situation, or multiple complex circumstances, that are extraordinary, temporary and/or beyond their control. This may require us to make a decision that goes beyond usual departmental policy. Examples may include where a customer is experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence or has been impacted by a natural disaster.
Community housing
Community housing is housing assistance delivered by non-government organisations, local governments and community organisations. It is for eligible people in need of housing assistance, who cannot access other forms of housing.
Community housing is a type of social housing.
While you’re on the housing register
It’s important you respond to us when we contact you. You must keep your contact details with us up to date.
We may contact you by phone, email, SMS or by sending you a letter to check:
if your housing needs have changed
that you’re still eligible for public and community housing
that your information is still current
if you are ready to accept an offer of housing, should an offer be made to you.
We understand that you may not be ready to be considered for an offer due to unplanned circumstances. We can talk to you about your circumstances and can make your application inactive on the housing register until you are ready.
If you don’t respond to our phone calls or letters within the timeframe we give you, we may remove your application from the housing register.
Changes in your household may affect your eligibility and need for public and community housing. It is important to keep your information with us up to date. You must tell us within 28 days about any changes to:
your address—we may cancel your application if we do not have your current address and cannot contact you
your name—for example if you marry, divorce, separate or change your name
your income or the income of the people on your application
the number of people on your application—for example, you have another child, you and your partner separate, you add or remove a household member from your application
your circumstances that affect your ability to find suitable housing in the private market
your household circumstances, and if you no longer need housing assistance
the areas you want to live in
your health or a household member's health—for example, if a household member cannot climb stairs or needs specific housing features because of a medical condition or disability. You will need to provide a letter from your doctor explaining how the change in health affects your housing needs
your circumstances that affect your readiness to be considered for an offer of housing.
Contact your nearest Housing Service Centre to talk about your circumstances and housing needs.
Note: It is an offence under the Housing Act 2003 to knowingly provide false or misleading information that may influence decisions about your eligibility for housing services.
We will review your eligibility and circumstances while you’re on the housing register so we can work with you to find the right housing options.
It’s important that you respond to any contact we make, otherwise we may remove your application from the housing register.
If your circumstances change, you may no longer be eligible for public and community housing. If you are no longer eligible, we will remove your application from the housing register and work with you to find other housing products and services which may help meet your needs.
Tell us if you’re going away for more than 28 days. This is so we don’t remove your housing application from the housing register if you don’t respond to our letters or phone calls during the time you’re away.
Tell us if you no longer need housing assistance so we can remove your application from the housing register. Contact your nearest Housing Service Centre to talk about your housing needs and they can help you find other housing assistance options if needed.
Guide to applying for housing assistance,
30 Sep 2022,
[https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/public-community-housing/eligibility-applying-for-housing/guide-to-applying-for-housing-assistance]
This document is uncontrolled when printed. Before using the information in this document you should verify the current content on https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/public-community-housing/eligibility-applying-for-housing/guide-to-applying-for-housing-assistance.
