Understanding income limits for public housing tenancies
Household income limits determine eligibility for a rent subsidy, lease extensions, and Rentstart Move assistance.
Household income limits help determine if:
- your household qualifies for a rent subsidy and what percentage of your income will go towards rent
- your household is eligible for a lease extension during a lease review
- you can receive Rentstart Move assistance when leaving public housing after a lease review.
To check if your household meets the income limit, add the income limits for each adult, the first child, and any other household members.
Rent subsidy limits
Table 1. Rent subsidy income limits from 1 July 2024.
| Maximum gross weekly income (before tax) | |||
| Household | Moderate income limit | 30% limit | Subsidy eligibility limit |
| Household members (regardless of relationship) | |||
| Single adult | $990 | $1,238 | $1,840 |
| Each additional adult (18 years or over) | Add $260 | Add $325 | Add $490 |
| First child (under 18 years) | Add $195 | Add $244 | Add $370 |
| Each additional child (under 18 years) | Add $135 | Add $169 | Add $245 |
| Examples of types of households | |||
| Single adult | $990 | $1,238 | $1,840 |
| Single + 1 child | $1,185 | $1,482 | $2,210 |
| Single + 2 children | $1,320 | $1,651 | $2,455 |
| Single + 3 children | $1,455 | $1,820 | $2,700 |
| Single + 4 children | $1,590 | $1,989 | $2,945 |
| Couple | $1,250 | $1,563 | $2,330 |
| Couple + 1 child | $1,445 | $1,807 | $2,700 |
| Couple + 2 children | $1,580 | $1,976 | $2,945 |
| Couple + 3 children | $1,715 | $2,145 | $3,190 |
| Couple + 4 children | $1,850 | $2,314 | $3,435 |
Lease review limits
Table 2. Lease review income limits from 1 July 2024.
| Household | Maximum gross income (before tax) weekly |
| Household members (regardless of relationship) | |
| First adult (Single) | $1,238 |
| Each additional adult (18 years or over) | Add $325 |
| First child (under 18 years) | Add $244 |
| Each additional child (under 18) | Add $169 |
| Examples of types of households | |
| Single (first adult) | $1,238 |
| Single + 1 child | $1,482 |
| Single + 2 children | $1,651 |
| Single + 3 children | $1,820 |
| Single + 4 children | $1,989 |
| Couple | $1,563 |
| Couple + 1 child | $1,807 |
| Couple + 2 children | $1,976 |
| Couple + 3 children | $2,145 |
| Couple + 4 children | $2,314 |
| Allowances | |
| Disability Allowance (per person) | Add $125 |
| Exceptional Disability Allowance (per person) | Add $295 |
Rentstart Move limits
Table 3. Rentstart Move income limits from 1 July 2024.
| Household | Maximum gross weekly income (before tax) |
| Household members (regardless of relationship) | |
| Single adult | $1,840 |
| Each additional adult (18 years or over) | Add $490 |
| First child (under 18) | Add $370 |
| Each additional child (under 18) | Add $245 |
| Examples of types of households | |
| Single adult | $1,840 |
| Single + 1 child | $2,210 |
| Single + 2 children | $2,455 |
| Single + 3 children | $2,700 |
| Single + 4 children | $2,945 |
| Couple | $2,330 |
| Couple + 1 child | $2,700 |
| Couple + 2 children | $2,945 |
| Couple + 3 children | $3,190 |
| Couple + 4 children | $3,435 |
Reviewing the decision
If you disagree with the decision we’ve made, talk to your client service officer. If you’re still not satisfied, you can ask to have the decision reviewed.
For more information visit appeals and reviewing decisions.