Public housing is available for those most in need, especially individuals who have recently experienced homelessness, family violence, or have other special needs. The rental price for public housing will be no more than 25 per cent of your total household income, which includes wages and payments from Centrelink and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Applying for public housing
When applying for public housing, it’s important to understand that waiting lists are very long and the application process can be complex, even if you meet the eligibility criteria.
For more information on eligibility criteria, the application process, and expected waiting times, visit the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) website.
You can access public housing application forms and guides in different languages, including:
- Arabic (عربي)
- Dinka (Jiëng/Monyjang)
- Khmer (Khmer)
- Korean (본 웹사이트)
- Russian (русский)
- Simplified Chinese (简体中文)
- Somali (Somaliyeed)
- Spanish (Español)
- Turkish (Türkçe)
- Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt)
How to apply for public housing
You can apply for public housing in three ways:
- Online application through the myGov website
- Paper application
- Through a support agency
To apply for public housing, visit the ‘apply for social housing’ webpage on HousingVic and scroll down to the section titled ‘How do I apply?’
Waiting times
Priority access waiting times average around 12 months from when the application is approved to receive housing appropriate for their needs. However, this depends on chosen areas or broadbands, so waiting times can vary from 12 months to 5 years.
