Rent Choice Veterans

Partnering with RSL LifeCare, Rent Choice Veterans supports veterans and families by:

helping you find a safe and affordable place to rent privately
paying a portion of your rent for up to 36 months
referring you to services for education and job support.

Rent Choice Veterans Eligibility

You may be eligible for Rent Choice Veterans if you are:

an ex-member of the permanent Australian Defence Force
homeless or at risk of being homeless
an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident
committed to pursuing education, training and employment
engaged with RSL LifeCare, and willing to stay engaged
on a moderate income.

Income requirements

To receive Rent Choice Veterans, you must be within the moderate income limits, This is based on your household size, type and total income.

We will use your income including any Commonwealth Rent Assistance to calculate the amount of your subsidy. We will do this even if you haven't applied for it or aren't receiving it.

For more information visit Rent Choice Policy.

Changes in your circumstances

You must let us know within 28 days if there are any changes to your circumstances. This includes changes in household members, household income, market rent, your address, or your landlord or real estate agent.

Asset test

You can receive Rent Choice Veterans if you have assets that you can’t access due to circumstances beyond your control. For example, you might be waiting on superannuation or compensation payments.

How the subsidy works

For the first 12 months, you’ll pay:

25% of your weekly household income, plus
100% of your Commonwealth Rent Assistance.

We’ll cover the rest (called the subsidy) and pay it directly to your landlord or real estate agent. After 12 months, your rent contribution will gradually increase, and we’ll guide you through the changes.

The subsidy can be paid for up to 36 months. Every three months, we will review your need for the subsidy and see if you need more support.

You might receive a bigger subsidy in certain areas where the rent is higher.

Additional support

You may also receive:

Get Started Support: Up to $850 for costs like a holding deposit, transport, clothing, or ID photocopying.
Brokerage Assistance: Funds for moving costs, furniture, or study needs once you sign a lease.

Accessing other housing assistance

You can also apply for other types of private rental assistance, including:

Tenancy Facilitation: help to search and apply for private rental properties.
Private Rental Brokerage Service: help for eligible clients with complex needs to secure and sustain private rental accommodation.
Bond Extra: a guarantee of up to $1,500 over the rental bond amount that may be paid to landlords or agents if there are rental arrears and/or property damage when a Residential Tenancy Agreement ends.
Rentstart Bond Loan: an interest free loan to help pay up to four weeks’ bond.
Advance Rent: a grant to help pay for 1-2 weeks rent in advance at the start of a tenancy.