Sometimes life throws you a curveball, and you need help with rent . If you’re not sure how to get rental assistance, Swoosh has you covered! Here are 4 places where you can apply for rental assistance in Australia.
Overview:
- Centrelink rent assistance
- Rental Assistance vs Rent Assistance
- How to get Centrelink rent assistance
- Rent assistance eligibility
- Can I get rent assistance if I work?
- How much rent assistance will I get from Centrelink?
- Will Centrelink rent assistance affect my credit score?
- Can rent assistance be back paid?
- Can I get a loan while on Centrelink?
- Government rental assistance by state and territory
- Not-for-profits and charities
- Fast cash jobs
- Rent loans
4 Places to Go When You Need Help with Rental Assistance
1. Centrelink rent assistance
Centrelink rent assistance is the most common way to get longer-term rent payment help.This is a supplementary payment, so you must be getting another Centrelink payment to be eligible.
The amount you receive with rent assistance will depend on your rent, the number of dependents, if you are partnered, if you live by yourself or in shared accommodation, and your income.
Rental Assistance vs Rent Assistance
These terms often get used interchangeably, and it can make things a bit confusing. Rental assistance is a generic term, which refers to many different ways of getting help to pay your rent.
Whereas rent assistance is the name of a supplementary Centrelink payment. This payment is provided by the government to help people meet the costs of rent. It is a type of rental assistance.
How do I get Centrelink rent assistance?
There isn’t a specific Centrelink form to complete to apply for rent assistance. All you need to do is update your accommodation and address information on myGov. From there, you will be contacted automatically if you qualify for Centrelink rent assistance. Keep in mind that you will also need to submit proof of rent arrangements.
Rent assistance eligibility
To be eligible for rent assistance from Centrelink you must be getting one of the following payments:
- Age Pension
- Carer Payment
- Disability Support Pension
- ABSTUDY Living Allowance
- Austudy
- Youth Allowance
- Special Benefit
- Family Tax Benefit
- Parenting Payment – partnered and single
- JobSeeker Payment
- Farm Household Allowance.
You will also need to be paying one of the following:
- Rent
- Fees in a retirement village
- Board and/or lodging
- Site or mooring fees – if your main home is a caravan, relocatable home or a boat
Rates when paid with income support payments and ABSTUDY
| You are | Your fortnightly rent is more than | To get the maximum payment your fortnightly rent is at least | The maximum fortnightly payment is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $149 | $430.60 | $211.40 |
| Single, shared | $149 | $336.74 | $140.80 |
| Couple, shared | $241.40 | $506.71 | $199 |
| One of couple separated – due to illness or other | $149 | $430.60 | $211.20 |
| One of a couple temporarily separated | $149 | $414.34 | $199 |
Can I get rent assistance if I work?
You can get rent assistance from Centrelink if you work and earn under a certain amount. Once you earn over that amount your income will affect your Centrelink payments. How much you can earn before it affects your payment will depend on what other Centrelink payment/s you get.
How much rent assistance will I get from Centrelink?
It will depend on your individual living, family, and income circumstances. Centrelink requires your rent to be above a minimum amount (listed above) before they offer support. The maximum payment you can get is below, along with the minimum fortnightly rent needed to get it.
Rates when paid with Family Tax Benefit
| You are | Your fortnightly rent is more than | To get the maximum payment your fortnightly rent is at least | The maximum fortnightly payment is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single with 1 or 2 children | $195.58 | $526.54 | $248.22 |
| Single, with 3 or more children | $195.58 | $569.48 | $280.42 |
| A couple, with 1 or 2 children | $289.24 | $620.20 | $248.22 |
| A couple, with 3 or more children | $289.24 | $663.14 | $280.42 |
| One of a couple separated due to illness or temporarily separated with 1 or 2 children | $195.58 | $526.54 | $248.22 |
| One of a couple separated due to illness or temporarily separated with 3 or more children | $195.58 | $569.48 | $280.42 |
Will Centrelink rent assistance affect my credit score?
Getting Rent Assistance from Centrelink will not affect your credit score. However, not paying your rent can. If you’re worried about missing a rent payment, it’s better to seek help beforehand.
Can rent assistance be back paid?
Rent assistance can be back paid to the date that you applied, but not any earlier. Also, be aware that these payments are not taxable.
Can I get a loan while on Centrelink?
Getting a loan while on Centrelink is possible. However, you may not be eligible for a loan if Centrelink is your only income.
Swoosh can offer small cash loans to people on Centrelink. However, as a responsible lender, we only offer loans to those who are getting some type of regular wage and meet our eligibility and lending requirements.
Government rental assistance by state and territory
Each Australian state and territory has different options available for people in financial hardship. Visit the relevant government website listed below to get information about how to get rental assistance in your state.
- Queensland—Bond Loans and rental grants
- New South Wales—Rental assistance
- Victoria—Help with renting
- South Australia—Help paying bond and rent
- Western Australia—Rental assistance options
- Tasmania—Rental services
- Northern Territory—Help with set up costs for a private rental (rental bond assistance only)
- Australian Capital Territory—Housing assistance
2. Not-for-profits and charities that help pay rent arrears
If you aren’t eligible for government assistance, there are plenty of charities that help pay rent arrears, for example:
You can also check the Australian Government Grants Service Directory for a full list of organisations offering emergency financial relief.
3. Fast cash jobs
If you’re a little short on money and looking for some help with rental assistance, you can always pick up a job or two to help get you the cash you need. One of the wonderful things about the internet is the arrival of task sites like Airtasker, Freelancer, or Fiverr. These job listing sites make it super easy to pick up some jobs and cash fast.
One of the easiest ways to earn some extra income on your own schedule is with ride-share apps like Uber, Ola, or DiDi. Or, you could opt for the food delivery side with Uber Eats, Menulog, or DoorDash.
You can also sell stuff on Gumtree or eBay. Or make something crafty for Etsy, if you have a creative flair.
Read more on our blog about how to earn money fast. And for those only interested in the online world, you can learn how to make money online in Australia.
4. Rent loans
When life hits you with those unexpected bills, a rent loan can help you get cash fast. It’s a quick and easy process, which is handy when you’re struggling to pay rent—or if you need an emergency loan.
But also be aware that these loans usually have a higher interest rate. So think about all your options before you make a decision.
How to apply for a rental assistance loan?
It’s simple to apply for a rent loan. All you need to do is fill out the 100% online application. It only takes minutes, and a real person will review it. Then if it’s approved, you’ll have the cash in your account within the hour.
Rent loan eligibility
To be eligible for a rent loan you will need to meet 4 simple criteria:
- At least 18 years old
- Employed for at least 3 months
- A permanent resident or valid visa holder of Australia
- Own a vehicle registered in your name
How much can I get with a rent loan?
You can borrow up to $5000 with a rent loan. The money can either be deposited into your bank account or directly to your landlord.
Can I get a loan with bad credit?
When applying for a loan, your current credit history won’t matter for a rental loan or an emergency loan with us. We only need to know about your current financial situation.
Getting help with bond and rent in advance
If you’re in need of help with your bond or rent in advance, you can always turn to Swoosh! We offer a variety of loans between $2,300 and $5000, from rent loans to bond loans and more, even if you have bad credit! Our 100% online application process is super simple and can be completed in less than 5 minutes. If you have any questions about our rent loans, please get in contact with us today.
