Tenancy charges and account management - previous policy rules and rates

This document provides historical information relating to the Tenancy Charges and Account Management Policy Supplement.

1. Previous subsidy income eligibility limits

This section presents various rent subsidy income eligibility limits from December 2005. 

Household member types and weekly income allowance from 1 July 2024 to 6 July 2025:

Household member

Weekly income allowance

Moderate income limit (or threshold)

30% limit (or threshold)

Subsidy eligibility limit (or threshold)

First adult

$990

$1,238

$1,840

Additional adult

$260

$325

$490

First child

$195

$244

$370

Each additional child

$135

$169

$245

Household member types and weekly income allowance from 3 July 2023 to 30 June 2024:

Household member

Weekly income allowance

Moderate income limit (or threshold)

30% limit (or threshold)

Subsidy eligibility limit (or threshold)

First adult

$985

$1,231

$1,835

Additional adult

$260

$325

$490

First child

$195

$244

$370

Each additional child

$135

$169

$245

Household member types and weekly income allowance from 4 July 2022 to 2 July 2023:
Household memberWeekly income allowance

Moderate income limit (or threshold)

30% limit (or threshold)

Subsidy eligibility limit (or threshold)

First Adult

$880

$1,100

$1,645

Additional adult

$235

$294

$435

First child

$175

$219

$330

Each additional child

$120

$150

$220

Household member types and weekly income allowance from 5 July 2021 to 3 July 2022:
Household memberWeekly income allowance

Moderate income limit (or threshold)

30% limit (or threshold)

Subsidy eligibility limit (or threshold)

First Adult

$835

$1,044

$1,555

Additional adult

$220

$275

$415

First child

$165

$206

$315

Each additional child

$115

$144

$205

Household member types and weekly income allowance from 6 July 2020 to 4 July 2021:
Household memberWeekly income allowance

Moderate income limit (or threshold)

30% limit (or threshold)

Subsidy eligibility limit (or threshold)

First Adult

$830

$1,038

$1,545

Additional adult

$220

$275

$410

First child

$165

$206

$310

Each additional child

$115

$144

$205

Household member types and weekly income allowance from 1 July 2019 to 5 July 2020:
Household memberWeekly income allowance

Moderate income limit (or threshold)

30% limit (or threshold)

Subsidy eligibility limit (or threshold)

First Adult

$815

$1019

$1,520

Additional adult

$215

$269

$405

First child

$160

$200

$305

Each additional child

$110

$138

$200

Household member types and weekly income allowance from 2 July 2018 to 30 June 2019:
Household memberWeekly income allowance

Moderate income limit (or threshold)

30% limit (or threshold)

Subsidy eligibility limit (or threshold)

First Adult

$795

$994

$1,480

Additional adult

$210

$263

$395

First child

$155

$194

$300

Each additional child

$110

$138

$195

Household member types and weekly income allowance from 3 July 2017 to 1 July 2018:
Household memberWeekly income allowance

Moderate income limit (or threshold)

30% limit (or threshold)

Subsidy eligibility limit (or threshold)

First Adult

$775

$969

$1,445

Additional adult

$205

$256

$385

First child

$155

$194

$290

Each additional child

$105

$131

$190

Household member types and weekly income allowance from 4 July 2016 to 2 July 2017:
Household memberWeekly income allowance

Moderate income limit (or threshold)

30% limit (or threshold)

Subsidy eligibility limit (or threshold)

First Adult

$755

$944

$1,405

Additional adult

$200

$250

$375

First child

$150

$188

$285

Each additional child

$105

$131

$185

Household member types and weekly income allowance from 6 July 2015 to 3 July 2016:
Household memberWeekly income allowance

Moderate income limit (or threshold)

30% limit (or threshold)

Subsidy eligibility limit (or threshold)

First Adult

$745

$931

$1,390

Additional adult

$200

$250

$370

First child

$145

$181

$280

Each additional child

$105

$125

$185

Household member types and weekly income allowance from 7 July 2014 to 5 July 2015:
Household memberWeekly income allowance

Moderate income limit (or threshold)

30% limit (or threshold)

Subsidy eligibility limit (or threshold)

First Adult

$735

$919

$1,365

Additional adult

$195

$244

$365

First child

$145

$181

$275

Each additional child

$100

$125

$180

Household member types and weekly income allowance from 18 March 2013 to 6 July 2014:
Household memberWeekly income allowance

Moderate income limit (or threshold)

30% limit (or threshold)

Subsidy eligibility limit (or threshold)

First Adult

$710

$888

$1,325

Additional adult

$190

$238

$350

First child

$140

$175

$265

Each additional child

$95

$119

$175

Household member types and weekly income allowance from 2 July 2012 – 17 March 2013
Household memberWeekly income allowance

Moderate income limit (or threshold)

30% limit (or threshold)

Subsidy eligibility limit (or threshold)

First Adult

$685

$856

$1,275

Additional adult

$180

$225

$340

First child

$135

$169

$255

Each additional child

$95

$119

$170

Rent Subsidy Eligibility limits effective from 4 July 2011 - 1 July 2012
Household memberWeekly income allowance

Moderate income limit (or threshold)

30% limit (or threshold)

Subsidy eligibility limit (or threshold)

First Adult

$675

$844

$1,255

Additional adult

$180

$225

$335

First child

$130

$163

$255

Each additional child

$90

$113

$165

Rent Subsidy Eligibility limits effective from 5 July 2010 - 3 July 2011
Household memberWeekly income allowance

Moderate income limit (or threshold)

30% limit (or threshold)

Subsidy eligibility limit (or threshold)

First Adult

$635

$794

$1,185

Additional adult

$170

$213

$315

First child

$125

$156

$240

Each additional child

$85

$106

$160

Rent Subsidy Eligibility limits effective from 6 July 2009 - 4 July 2010
Household memberWeekly income allowance

Moderate income limit (or threshold)

30% limit (or threshold)

Subsidy eligibility limit (or threshold)

First Adult

$615

$769

$1,145

Additional adult

$160

$200

$310

First child

$125

$156

$230

Each additional child

$85

$106

$150

Rent Subsidy Eligibility limits effective from 7 July 2008 to 5 July 2009
Household memberWeekly income allowance

Moderate income limit (or threshold)

30% limit (or threshold)

Subsidy eligibility limit (or threshold)

First Adult

$595

$744

$1,105

Additional adult

$155

$194

$295

First child

$120

$150

$220

Each additional child

$80

$100

$145

Rent Subsidy Eligibility limits effective from 5 December 2005 to 6 July 2008
Household memberWeekly income allowance

Moderate income limit (or threshold)

30% limit (or threshold)

Subsidy eligibility limit (or threshold)

First Adult

$550

$688

$1,025

Additional adult

$145

$181

$275

First child

$110

$138

$205

Each additional child

$75

$94

$135

2. Previous rent policy rules and assessment rates

Table 1: Previous rent policy rules
SituationRule
$30 per week deduction from assessable income for Single Pensioners. Pension increase granted in 2009 Commonwealth Budget.

Prior to 12 October 2009: This deduction did not apply.

12 October 2009 to 9 October 2011:\
$30 per week was excluded from income of full pensioners with a pro-rata amount deducted for part pensioners.

10 October 2011 to 22 April 2012:
$15 per week was excluded from income of full pensioners with a pro-rata amount deducted for part pensioners.

23 April 2012 to 7 October 2012:
$5.55 per week was excluded from income of full pensioners with a pro-rata amount deducted for part pensioners.

From 8 October 2012:
This deduction no longer applied.

$5 minimum rent criteria

Prior to 5 December 2005:
The minimum rent assessment only applied to single person households. Where other household members received an income, Homes NSW assessed the subsidy based on the income of the other household members.

From 5 December 2005:
Where a person did not receive an income, Homes NSW applied the minimum rent assessment, even if there were other people in the household receiving an income. However, Homes NSW could only assess one person in the household without an income at the $5 minimum rent.

From 11 July 2006:
The $5 minimum rent applies to all adult household members who do not receive an income, as documented in the $5 minimum rent criteria table in section 4 above.

Pensioner concession criteriaHomes NSW previously granted the 18% pensioner concession to single pensioners and pensioner couples, living on their own, whose only income was the age, invalid, widow’s or war service pension and any supplementary rental assistance prior to 1982.
Homes NSW made minor changes to the original eligibility criteria between 1982 and 1990.
On 4 February 1990, Homes NSW ceased granting any new 18% pensioner concessions.
From 12 October 2009, Homes NSW increased the pensioner concession rate by 1% to 19%. This rate will increase by 1% per annum until the tenant is charged 25% of income in rent from October 2015.
Backdating of rental subsidiesPrior to 5 December 2005:
From 1 October 2002 when Homes NSW implemented the Income Confirmation Scheme (ICS), to 4 December 2005, Homes NSW would not backdate subsidies during a group subsidy review when the income details from ICS showed that the household had an additional income that was previously undisclosed.
From 5 December 2005:
Tenants must tell Homes NSW within 28 days of any changes to their household or household income, even if they have told Centrelink and given consent for Homes NSW to use the Income Confirmation Scheme.
Table 2: Previous rent assessment rates
Subsidy policy for clients with tenancies that started before February 1990Subsidy policy for clients with tenancies that started before 3 April 2000Subsidy policy for clients with tenancies that started on or after 3 April 2000

18% Pensioner Concession
Homes NSW assessed Aged, Disability and Veterans pensioners at 18% of their income (where they have held this entitlement since 1990). Provided that they have no other household members and any additional income is less than $11 per week for singles and $22 per week for couples and they were receiving a Postal Concession and do not effect a mutual exchange.

From 12 October 2009, Homes NSW increased the pensioner concession rate by 1% to 19%. These increases will continue until the tenant is charged 25% of income in rent from October 2015.

18% Pensioner Concession
The tenant will retain the 18% pensioner concession rate if they have had continued eligibility since February 1990.

From 12 October 2009, Homes NSW increased the pensioner concession rate by 1% to 19%. These increases will continue until the tenant is charged 25% of income in rent from October 2015.

18% Pensioner Concession
Tenancies that started on or after 3 April 2000 are not eligible for the 18% pensioner concession rate.
Family Tax Benefits
Homes NSW assessed Family Tax Benefit Part A (FTBA) at 11% for tenants, partners and other household members aged 18 years and over. Homes NSW assessed Family Tax Benefit Part B (FTBB) at 11%. This is in accordance with the new policy from 28 August 2000.		Family Tax Benefits
Homes NSW assessed FTBA and FTBB at 11%.		Family Tax Benefits
Homes NSW assessed FTBA and FTBB at 11%.
From 5 December 2005, existing tenancies had family tax assessment rates increased from 11% to 15% by 1% every 6 months until they reached the maximum assessment rate of 15% in July 2007.
Homes NSW assessed family tax for new tenants at 15% from 5 December 2005.
Household member under 18
Homes NSW does not assess income of other household members who are under 18.		Household member under 18
Homes NSW does not assess income of other household members who are under 18.		Household member under 18
Homes NSW does not assess income of other household members who are under 18.
Household member aged between 18-20
Homes NSW assessed the income of other household members between 18 and 20 at 12.5% with a cap of $73.50 per week.		Household member aged between 18-20
Homes NSW assessed the income of other household members between 18 and 20 at 12.5%. Homes NSW removed the cap of $73.50 in 2000.		Household member aged between 18-20
Homes NSW assessed the income of other household members between 18 and 20 at 12.5%. Homes NSW removed the cap of $73.50 in 2000.
From 12 October 2009, Homes NSW increased the assessment rate of other household members between 18 and 20 to 13.75%.From 12 October 2009, Homes NSW increased the assessment rate of other household members between 18 and 20 to 13.75%.From 12 October 2009, Homes NSW increased the assessment rate of other household members between 18 and 20 to 13.75%.
From 11 October 2010, that rate was increased to 15%.From 11 October 2010, that rate was increased to 15%.From 11 October 2010, that rate was increased to 15%.
Household member aged between 21-24
Homes NSW assessed the income of other household members between 21 and 24 at 20% with a cap of $79.00 per week.		Household member aged between 21-24
Homes NSW assessed the income of other household members between 21 and 24 at 20%. Homes NSW removed the cap of $79.00 in 2000.		Household member aged between 21-24
Homes NSW assessed the income of other household members between 21 and 24 at 20%. Homes NSW removed the cap of $79.00 in 2000.
From 12 October 2009, Homes NSW increased the assessment rate of other household members between 21 and 24 to 22.5%.From 12 October 2009, Homes NSW increased the assessment rate of other household members between 21 and 24 to 22.5%.From 12 October 2009, Homes NSW increased the assessment rate of other household members between 21 and 24 to 22.5%.
From 11 October 2010, that rate was increased to 25%From 11 October 2010, that rate was increased to 25%From 11 October 2010, that rate was increased to 25%
Statutory incomes of people over 25
Homes NSW assessed the statutory incomes of tenants, partners and other household members 25 years and over at 20%.

Statutory incomes of people over 25
Homes NSW assessed the statutory incomes of tenants, partners and other household members 25 years and over at:

  • 21% from 3 April 2000
  • 22% from 7 May 2001
  • 23% from 6 May 2002
  • 24% from 30 June 2003
  • 25% from 15 November 2004
Statutory incomes of people over 25
Homes NSW assessed the statutory incomes of tenants, partners and other household members 25 years and over at 25%.
Non-statutory incomes of people over 25
Homes NSW assessed the non-statutory incomes of tenants, partners and other household members 25 years of age and over at between 20% and 25% (sliding scale between $350 and $650 per week).

Non-statutory incomes of people over 25
Homes NSW applied a 1% increase, up to 25%, to the non-statutory incomes of tenants, partners and other household members 25 years of age and over. Sliding scale ends at 25% when gross income is over:

  • $590 per week from 3 April 2000
  • $530 per week from 7 May 2001
  • $470 per week from 6 May 2002
  • $410 per week from 30 June 2003
  • Sliding scale ends 15 November 2004

See the tables below for more details

Non-statutory incomes of people over 25
Homes NSW assessed the non-statutory incomes of tenants, partners and other household members 25 years of age and over at 25%.
Upper limit for non-statutory income
Homes NSW charged market rent where the upper limit of non-statutory incomes (see point above) exceeded $800 in country and $1000 in metropolitan areas.		Upper limit for non-statutory income
Homes NSW charged market rent where the upper limit of non-statutory incomes (see point above) exceeded $800 in country and $1000 in metropolitan areas.		Upper limit for non-statutory income
Homes NSW charged market rent where the upper limit of non-statutory incomes (see point above) exceeded $800 in country and $1000 in metropolitan areas.
Table 3: Maximum percentage of income that the existing household will pay in rent from 15 November 2004 to 4 December 2005
Household Income/WeekArea (Maximum Rent) Existing tenanciesArea (Maximum Rent) New tenancies
Up to $350All (25%)All (25%)
$350 to $410All (25%)All (25%)
$410 to $800Country (25%)Country (25%)
$410 to $1,000Metropolitan (25%)Metropolitan (25%)
More than $800Country (Market rent)Country (Market rent)
More than $1,000Metropolitan
10 October 2011 to 22 April 2012:$15 per week was excluded from income of full pensioners with a pro-rata amount deducted for part pensioners Market rent)		Metropolitan (Market rent)
Table 4: Maximum percentage of income that the existing household will pay in rent from 30 June 2003 to 15 November 2004
Household Income/WeekArea (Maximum Rent) Existing tenanciesArea (Maximum Rent) New tenancies
Up to $350All (24%)All (25%)
$350 to $410All (24%-25% sliding scale)All (25%)
$410 to $800Country (25%)Country (25%)
$410 to $1,000Metropolitan (25%)Metropolitan (25%)
More than $800Country (Market rent)Country (Market rent)
More than $1,000Metropolitan (Market rent)Metropolitan (Market rent)
Table 5: Maximum percentage of income that the existing household will pay in rent from 6 May 2002 to 29 June 2003
Household Income/WeekArea (Maximum Rent) Existing tenanciesArea (Maximum Rent) New tenancies
Up to $350All (23%)All (25%)
$350 to $470All (23%-25% sliding scale)All (25%)
$470 to $800Country (25%)Country (25%)
$470 to $1,000Metropolitan (25%)Metropolitan (25%)
More than $800Country (Market rent)Country (Market rent)
More than $1,000Metropolitan (Market rent)Metropolitan (Market rent)
Table 6: Maximum percentage of income that the existing household will pay in rent from 7 May 2001 to 5 May 2002
Household Income/WeekArea (Maximum Rent) Existing tenanciesArea (Maximum Rent) New tenancies
Up to $350All (22%)All (25%)
$350 to $530All (22%-25% sliding scale)All (25%)
$530 to $800Country (25%)Country (25%)
$530 to $1,000Metropolitan (25%)Metropolitan (25%)
More than $800Country (Market rent)Country (Market rent)
More than $1,000Metropolitan (Market rent)Metropolitan (Market rent)
Table 7: Maximum percentage of income that the existing household will pay in rent from 3 April 2000 to 6 May 2001
Household Income/WeekArea (Maximum Rent) Existing tenanciesArea (Maximum Rent) New tenancies
Up to $350All (21%)All (25%)
$350 to $590All (21%-25% sliding scale)All (25%)
$590 to $800Country (25%)Country (25%)
$590 to $1,000Metropolitan (25%)Metropolitan (25%)
More than $800Country (Market rent)Country (Market rent)
More than $1,000Metropolitan (Market rent)Metropolitan (Market rent)
Table 8: Maximum percentage of income that the household would have paid in rent up to 2 April 2000
Household Income/WeekArea (Maximum Rent)
Up to $350Metropolitan/Country (20%)
$350 to $650Metropolitan/Country (20%-25% sliding scale*)
$650 to $800Country (25%*)
$650 to $1,000Metropolitan (25%*)
More than $800Country (Market rent*)
More than $1,000Metropolitan (Market rent*)
 *Non-statutory incomes only

3. Previous group subsidy review dates

Effective Dates

2021-2025
14 April 2025
14 October 2024
15 April 2024
16 October 2023
17  April 2023
10 October 2022
18 April 2022
11 October 2021
26 April 2021
2015-2019
14 October 2019
15 April 2019
15 October 2018
16 April 2018
10 April 2017
10 October 2016
11 April 2016
12 October 2015
13 April 2015
2010-2014
13 October 2014 – bulk ICS
14 April 2014 – included CES Youth
14 October 2013 – bulk ICS
15 April 2013 - included CES
8 October 2012
23 April 2012
10 October 2011
25 April 2011
8 November 2010
11 October 2010  - Pensioner and Youth Concession changes
30 August 2010 - AHO
23 August 2010 - Non Stat
19 July 2010 - FTB
12 April 2010
2000-2009
12 October 2009
6 July 2009
17 November 2008
7 July 2008
19 November 2007
16 July 2007
20 November 2006
10 July 2006
5 December 2005
15 November 2004
30 June 2003
6 May 2002
7 May 2001
3 April 2000

4. Previous water charge policy rules

Table 1: Previous water charge policy rules
SituationRule
Water usage charges - stage 1

Stage 1 commenced on 5 December 2005. From that date, Homes NSW charged all non-exempt tenants a percentage of their rent payable as a water usage charge.

This charge applied whether or not the tenant’s home had a separate or shared water meter.

Water usage charges - stage 2Stage 2 commenced from July 2006 and, progressively after that date, Homes NSW charged tenants living in homes with separate water meters for water based on their actual water usage.
Water usage reconciliation

This section only applies to tenants who were current tenants of Homes NSW on 5 November 2006.

From 5 December 2005, Homes NSW charged every non-exempt tenant a weekly percentage water charge of the tenant’s weekly rent payable.

From 6 November 2006, for those tenants required to pay an actual water charge, Homes NSW made a calculation on a reconciliation date to compare the percentage water usage charged to the tenant from 5 December 2005 up to the end date of the latest water authority billing period, with the actual water usage payable over the same period.

For new tenants who commenced their tenancy after 5 December 2005, this reconciliation period commenced on the start date of their tenancy.
Homes NSW posted any credit adjustment due to the tenant arising from the reconciliation to their water usage account. Homes NSW waived any debit adjustment arising from the reconciliation.

The reconciliation date varied for each tenant and followed receipt by Homes NSW of the first bill from the relevant water authority after 6 November, where:
The tenant lived in the property for the full period of that water usage bill, and
The start date of that water usage billing period was a date on or after 1 July 2006.
Where actual usage information was not available to Homes NSW for the full period covered by the reconciliation, Homes NSW used all available information to estimate actual water usage over the full reconciliation period.
Where a tenancy started after 5 December 2005, Homes NSW used the tenancy start date for reconciliation, except where a tenant transferred to their property from another Homes NSW property. In that case, Homes NSW sought to reconcile the tenant’s account back to 5 December 2005, using links to any former tenancies in separately metered dwellings since 5 December 2005. Where this was not possible, the tenant’s account was automatically reconciled back to the earliest date linked on the Homes NSW system, and tenants were able to request a manual adjustment for any previous tenancies in separately metered dwellings between 5 December 2005 and the earliest date available.

Where an earlier tenancy was a joint tenancy, the tenancy was not included in the automated reconciliation but may have been included in a manual adjustment.

Where a tenant left their Homes NSW property after 5 December 2005 but before a reconciliation occurred, a reconciliation of the vacated account was not undertaken.

5. Previous percentage water charge rates

Table 1 below outlines the percentage water charge rates that have applied since 5 December 2005.

Table 1: Previous percentage water charge rates
DateAssessment rateMinimum chargeMaximum charge
01/07/24 to 31/08/245.3% of net rent$1.00 per week$11.00 per week
03/07/23 to 30/06/245% of net rent$1.00 per week$10.00 per week
04/07/22 to 02/07/235.1% of net rent$1.00 per week$10.30 per week
05/07/21 to 03/07/225.7% of net rent$1.00 per week$10.30 per week
01/07/20 to 04/07/215.2% of net rent$1.00 per week$9.40 per week
02/07/18 to 30/06/194.9% of net rent$1.00 per week$8.95 per week
03/07/17 to 01/07/186.0% of net rent$1.00 per week$8.95 per week
11/04/16 to 03/07/175.7% of net rent$1.00 per week$8.50 per week
14/04/14 to 12/04/155.1% of net rent$1.00 per week$7.60 per week
08/10/10 to 13/04/144.7% of net rent$1.00 per week$7.00 per week
12/10/09 to 07/11/104.3% of net rent$1.00 per week$6.50 per week
17/11/08 to 11/10/093.8% of net rent$1.00 per week$5.75 per week
05/11/07 to 16/11/083.2% of net rent$1.00 per week$4.85 per week
05/03/07 to 04/11/073.3% of net rent$1.00 per week$5.00 per week
05/12/05 to 04/03/074.1% of net rent$1.00 per week$7.00 per week
Prior to December 2005N/A
Homes NSW only charged tenants for water usage categorised as ‘excess water.’ Homes NSW did not charge tenants for general water usage		N/AN/A

Related links

Type: Policy
Author: Homes NSW
Publication Date: 01 September 2025

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