Support with housing or homelessness
The following resources may help you find a secure place to live.
The NSW Government can help you if you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless through the Link2home telephone referral service. It’s available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year.
The NSW Government’s Start Safely program provides rent support to people who do not have a stable and secure place to live due to domestic or family violence.
If you don’t have a safe place to sleep, the Ask Izzy website can connect you with crisis accommodation and other support services in your area.
The Women’s Community Shelter network offers crisis accommodation for women who are homeless or leaving domestic violence.
The Salvation Army’s homelessness services include accommodation, advocacy, financial assistance, counselling and meals, as well as connection and referral to other specialist services. Enter your location to find support near you.
The St Vincent de Paul Society
The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW operates homelessness services throughout NSW to assist people at-risk of or experiencing homelessness.
If you are homeless, Catholic Healthcare provides access to short- and medium-term housing solutions, community care and support services.
Coast Shelter provides help to those who have no safe place to call home and people experiencing domestic and family violence on the NSW Central Coast.
Social and community housing
Social housing is secure and affordable rental housing for people on low incomes with housing needs and includes public, community and Aboriginal housing.
Find out if you’re eligible for housing assistance and apply for social housing using one form. When you apply, you will also be assessed for private rental assistance.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can access affordable, quality housing through the Aboriginal Housing Office.
Aboriginal Hostels is an Australian Government organisation that provides short-term accommodation for First Nations people and students who are travelling, relocating or need to be away from home to attend school.
Mission Australia provides social and affordable housing to people on low to moderate incomes who are finding it hard to secure a home in the private rental market.
Help for renters
Whether you’re starting, living in, or ending a tenancy, this NSW Fair Trading guide covers what you need to know about renting a home. Learn how to manage rent, get repairs done, get your bond back, and what to do if issues arise with your landlord or agent.
If your rent has been increased and you think the increase is too much, the Tenant’s Union ‘rent increase negotiation kit’ may help you to reach a compromise with your landlord.
Help renting in the private market
The NSW Department of Communities and Justice offers private rental assistance for eligible applicants, including help to pay urgent rental costs or start a tenancy, and interest-free bond loans.
Know your rights as a renter
Rent increases during a tenancy
Negotiate with your landlord on rent increases. Learn the rules landlords must follow, how often rent can be increased, how to negotiate with your landlord and what to do if you need help disputing a rent increase.
Your rights when ending a tenancy
Understand how much notice is required, how to give notice, and what happens if a lease ends early. Learn what to expect when moving out, how to get your bond back, and where to get help if you have a dispute with your landlord.
How a landlord or agent can end a tenancy
Learn the rules for landlords including the notice periods they must follow and the reasons a tenancy can be terminated. Understand your rights, what to expect if you receive a termination notice, and what to do if you need to challenge a decision.
Landlords must offer payment by Centrepay
If you receive eligible Centrelink payments and ask to pay your rent with Centrepay, your landlord must apply to use Centrepay to receive payment of your rent.
When moving to a new rental, you may soon be able to transfer your existing bond with Smart Rental Bonds, instead of paying a new one upfront. Register to stay informed about how Smart Rental Bonds works.
Find a rental property that suits your budget
Unsure what rent will cost where you're living or moving? Find out the median rent range for homes in the current market with NSW Fair Trading's Rent Check.
Affordable housing is open to people on a wider range of incomes than social housing. Find out how to look and apply for affordable housing properties in NSW.
Welcome Mat lists affordable rental housing that is at least 20% less than the market rate in the Sydney Metro, Central Coast and Hunter regions.
You can find National Rental Affordability Scheme properties through realestate.com.au by entering ‘NRAS’ as a keyword in your search. Tip: Click on ‘filters’ and scroll down to enter your keywords.
You can find National Rental Affordability Scheme properties through Domain by entering ‘NRAS’ as a keyword in your search. Tip: Click on ‘filters’ and scroll down to enter your keywords.
If you need help paying your rent or bond
Rent Choice is a private rental subsidy that helps you pay the rent for up to 3 years. Financial assistance may be available if you are escaping domestic and family violence, are a war veteran or young person aged 16 – 24, or you've have had a major financial setback like illness or job loss.
Rentstart Bond Loan is an interest-free loan that covers part or all of the rental bond for eligible clients moving into a private rental.
National Rental Affordability Scheme
Learn more about the Australian Government’s National Rental Affordability Scheme, how to apply to rent a home under the scheme and a list of approved participants in NSW.
If you already receive certain Australian Government payments (such as the parenting payment or family tax benefit – part A) and pay rent, you may be eligible for Commonwealth rent assistance.
Young people who have recently left out-of-home care can access a new $250 fortnightly payment to help with accommodation and essential living expenses.
Help with paying your mortgage
If you are unable to meet your normal loan repayments, you have the right to ask your bank for hardship assistance. When you call your bank, ask to speak to the 'financial hardship team'.
The National Debt Helpline outlines the steps you can take if you’re struggling to make repayments on your mortgage and what to do if your lender starts legal proceedings to take possession of your home.
If you’re going through tough times and can’t pay your home loan, MoneySmart tells you how to contact your lender and apply for a hardship variation.
Ways to save on your mortgage repayments
Compare the cost of switching your mortgage.
Interest-only mortgage calculator
Work out your repayments before and after the interest-only period.
Buying a home
Buying a home is a huge financial investment. Check if you’re eligible for a grant or other government assistance.
Home buyer grants and assistance schemes
Find out about the NSW Government's 3 key programs to make it easier to buy your first home.
Buying a property
This Service NSW guide tells you what you need to know if you're planning to buy a property in NSW, including information on grants and changes to first home buyer schemes.
Fair Trading helps you understand the process of buying and selling property – including deposits, conveyancing, gazumping and more – so you’re well informed about the market before you take the plunge.
Looking to turn your first-home dream into reality? MoneySmart has tips to help you save faster and start building up your home deposit.
Regional first home buyer guarantee
Are you priced out of buying a home in a capital city? The regional first home buyer guarantee helps eligible Australians buy a home in a regional area with as little as 5% deposit and without paying lenders mortgage insurance.
The home equity access scheme lets older Australians who are Age Pension age or older get a non-taxable loan from the federal government. You need to use the equity in your home as security for the loan. See if you’re eligible and use the calculator to work out how much you can borrow.
Crisis support
A crisis can be sudden and life changing, but you do not need to go through it alone. There are support services available if you need help when times get tough.
Learn more about where to get help at our Crisis support page.