In short
The Australian Government funds delivery of social and affordable homes to support those most in need. The states and territories provide housing options for eligible people.
Getting into social, public and community housing
Public housing is a form of long-term rental social housing.
There are different rules for accessing long term social, public or community housing in each state and territory.
Most states and territories have housing available for people who are on a low income or meet other requirements.
You may also be eligible for housing if you:
- have recently become homeless
- need to move for health reasons
- live with disability and require special support
- are escaping family violence.
If you’re experiencing difficult times, you can seek help and assistance from Centrelink.
Housing registers in your state or territory
You can apply for both public and community housing through the housing register of your state or territory.
Australian Capital Territory
Visit Housing, planning and property on the ACT Government website
Call the Access Canberra call centre on 13 22 81
New South Wales
Visit the NSW Government website to:
Northern Territory
Visit Housing, property and land on the NT Government website
Call the NT Government switchboard on 08 8999 5511
Queensland
Visit Homes and housing on the Queensland Government website
Call the Qld Government switchboard on 13 74 68
South Australia
Visit the SA Housing Trust website
Call the SA Housing Trust on 131 299
Tasmania
Visit the Homes Tasmania website
Call Homes Tasmania on 1300 665 663
Victoria
Visit the Housing VIC website
Call the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing on 1300 475 170
Western Australia
Visit Housing options on the WA Government website
Call the Department of Housing and Works on 08 6551 1000
More social and affordable housing
The Social Housing Accelerator aims to deliver new and refurbished social homes across Australia.
The Australian Government delivered a $2 billion payment to the states and territories in June 2023 so they could start investing in new builds straight away.
This investment will:
- create around 4,000 homes for Australians on social housing waiting lists
- permanently increase the stock of social housing.
See the Social Housing Accelerator
Improving social housing and homelessness services
The National Agreement on Social Housing and Homelessness (NASHH) is a 5-year, $9.3 billion national agreement between the Australian Government, state and territory governments. It began in 2024.
Under the NASHH, the Australian Government provides around $1.8 billion each year to state and territory governments. This includes a homelessness funding component of around $400 million a year which state and territory governments are required to match.
The NASHH gives state and territory governments with flexibility to use funding to:
- deliver services that best meet the needs of their communities
- respond to emerging challenges and opportunities.
The objectives of the NASHH are assessed against the National Outcomes Framework. Key social housing and homelessness measures are used to monitor progress.
Connection with Closing the Gap
The NASHH reflects commitments made under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. This includes the need for shared decision making and the Priority Reforms.
It sets an agreed vision to work towards together. It also recognises the need to address the disproportionate housing inequality that affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Establishing the Housing Australia Future Fund
The $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) provides long-term investment to increase the social and affordable dwelling supply across Australia.
The Australian Government alongside the states and territories has also committed to deliver thousands of homes under the National Housing Accord.
Housing Australia is responsible for supporting new housing under both the HAFF and the Accord.
Visit Housing Australia’s website to view the Future Fund Facility and National Housing Accord Facility
Financing housing-enabling infrastructure and social and affordable housing
The National Housing Infrastructure Facility (NHIF) provides loans and grants to support delivery of more homes especially social and affordable homes.
$1 billion is available through the NHIF for:
- essential housing project infrastructure such as utilities and roads (NHIF CI)
- to directly support new social and affordable housing (NHIF SAH).
An additional $1 billion is available through the NHIF CT. NHIF CT supports new crisis and transitional accommodation for:
- women and children experiencing domestic violence
- youth experiencing, or at particular risk of, homelessness.
Visit Housing Australia’s website to see the:
Providing cheaper financing for community housing providers
The Affordable Housing Bond Aggregator provides low cost and longer term loans to registered community housing providers.