Social housing eligibility in Australia

Finding safe and affordable housing can feel overwhelming if you’re dealing with financial stress, family breakdown, or health challenges. For people in these situations, social housing offers an invaluable lifeline.

Social housing covers both public housing owned and managed by the government, and community housing delivered by not-for-profit organisations. 

These secure homes are available at reduced rents — but only to applicants who meet strict eligibility requirements. With each state and territory setting its own criteria, working out whether you qualify can be confusing. 

As a proud community housing provider, Home In Place is here to shed light on social housing eligibility in Australia. In this guide, we explain its criteria so you can determine whether you, or someone you’re supporting, may qualify.

Who is eligible for social housing?

To be eligible for social housing in Australia, you need to be experiencing housing stress or facing insecure living arrangements. While the exact rules differ between states and territories, you may qualify if you:

• Live in Australia as a citizen or permanent resident – you usually need to apply in the state or territory where you are currently living.
• Meet income and asset limits – your household income, savings, investments, or property ownership are checked to make sure housing goes to people in genuine financial need.
• Have a clear housing need – this can include experiencing homelessness, being at risk of homelessness, living in overcrowded or unsafe conditions, or paying rent that is placing you under severe financial strain.
• Are a suitable age – most states require applicants to be at least 18, although some allow individuals as young as 16 to apply.
• Have a manageable tenancy history – past rental debts or issues with government housing may affect eligibility, but repayment plans and personal circumstances are often taken into account.

Ultimately, social housing is for people who don’t have the financial means or safe living options to secure a stable home on their own. 

If you’re unsure whether you qualify, it’s worth checking your state or territory’s housing authority website or contacting a community housing provider like Home in Place for guidance.

Social housing eligibility by state and territory

Across Australia, social housing is managed by each state or territory’s relevant government department and local community housing providers. Therefore, its application criteria differ depending on where you live. 

Keep reading to discover the social housing eligibility requirements in your area at the time of writing.

New South Wales

In NSW, social housing is managed by Homes NSW and community housing providers. To apply, you’ll need to:

• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident living in NSW.
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Meet the household income limits.
• Not own any assets or property that could reasonably be assumed to fulfil your housing needs.

Importantly, NSW operates a single waiting list for all public and community housing, so your application covers both options.

Some people are given priority access to speed up the process, for example, people experiencing homelessness, escaping domestic violence, or those with a disability or serious medical condition.

Queensland

In Queensland, social housing is managed by the Department of Housing and Public Works, as well as community housing providers. 

You may be eligible if you:

• Live in Queensland and are an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• Earn income that falls within the social housing income limits for your household size.
• Receive a regular, independent income (such as wages or Centrelink payments) so you can pay rent and manage a tenancy.
• Have assets under $116,375 for a single-person household or $148,625 for a two-person household.
• Do not own or part-own any residential property.

Well-being factors are also assessed. You may be considered if:

• Your current housing is affecting your health, safety, or overall well-being, and you have a genuine need to move.
• You have at least one financial difficulty, such as significant rental stress, that shows your current income is not enough to meet your housing needs through other options.
• You face at least two non-financial challenges (such as health issues, safety risks, or family breakdown) that make it difficult to secure or maintain housing in the private market.

Together, these criteria ensure that social housing in Queensland is provided to households with the greatest need — those who are unable to access safe, stable, and affordable housing anywhere else. People escaping violence, or those whose housing is dangerous or unsuitable, are often placed on the priority housing register.

Victoria

In Victoria, social housing is managed through the Victorian Housing Register, which covers both public and community housing. To apply, you’ll need to:

• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident living in Victoria
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Meet the household income and asset limits
• Provide proof of identity

The register has two main categories:
Priority Access for people in urgent need (such as those experiencing homelessness, escaping family violence, or requiring housing due to disability or health reasons) and the Register of Interest for other eligible applicants.

Applications are made through the Victorian Housing Register, where you can nominate up to five preferred areas.

For full details, visit the Victorian Government’s Housing Victoria website.

South Australia 

In South Australia, social housing is managed by the SA Housing Trust and community providers. To apply, you must:

• Be aged 16 or over.
• Live in South Australia.
• Have an independent income. This could be wages from work, Centrelink or Veterans’ Affairs payments, or money you receive from investments or bank interest.
• Satisfy household income limits.
• Not own or partly own residential property.
• Not have been excluded from SA Housing Trust services due to antisocial behaviour or an unarranged debt.

Applicants facing urgent issues, such as escaping violence, homelessness, or serious medical conditions, are given priority on the waiting list.

Western Australia 

In Western Australia (WA), the Department of Housing and Works oversees public housing alongside private community housing providers.

To be considered, you must:

• Be 16 years of age or older.
• Be a Western Australian resident.
• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• Be employed, have a registered business in the state, or be registered with Centrelink in Western Australia.
• Meet the household income limits.
• Not own property or land.
• Not have individual cash assets exceeding $80,000 if over 60 years old, or $38,400 if under 60 years old. This threshold increases to $100,000 if you are living with a disability.

WA also runs a priority housing system to fast-track applications from people in crisis. This includes individuals and families escaping domestic or family violence, or those with urgent medical or disability-related housing requirements.

Tasmania 

Tasmania uses Housing Connect as its central intake and referral service, which means you only need to apply once to be considered for all social housing options. 

To be eligible, you’ll need to:

• Be at least 16 years old.
• Be a Tasmanian resident and an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• Be a low-income earner who qualifies for a Commonwealth Health Care Card.
• Not own any property or land.
• Not have financial assets valued at over $35,000.

Through Housing Connect, applicants can also access support services like emergency accommodation, private rental assistance, and referrals to community support organisations.

Northern Territory

In the Northern Territory (NT), social housing is managed by the Department of Housing and Community Development and private providers. 

To qualify, you must:

• Be at least 15 years old to apply and 16 years old to enter into a tenancy agreement.
• Have Australian citizenship, permanent residency, a special category visa for New Zealanders, or a temporary protection visa.
• Live in the NT.
• Not own or partly own property or land.
• Not have had a tenancy terminated for breach of conditions within the past two years.

The NT also considers additional factors like safety concerns, family violence, and a history of rental debt. In some cases, applicants with debts may still be eligible if they are repaying or have entered into an agreement.

Australian Capital Territory

Public housing is managed through Housing ACT, while community housing is offered through private providers. 

To be eligible for either type of social housing in the ACT, you must:

• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• Have lived in the ACT for at least six months.
• Be aged 16 years or older.
• Not exceed the household income limits.
• Not own a home or property in Australia
• Not have over $40,000 in financial assets.

Housing ACT also uses a needs-based assessment. Applicants in greatest need, such as those who are homeless, experiencing family violence, or living with disability, are prioritised on the housing register.

Frequently asked questions

How can I apply for social housing?

You can apply for social housing by lodging the required application forms with your state or territory housing authority. This process usually involves:

1. Checking eligibility – review the criteria on your state’s housing website.
2. Gathering documents – such as proof of income, identification, rental history, and evidence of need (for example, medical letters, eviction notices, or police reports if escaping violence).
3. Submitting your application – either online or in person through a local housing office or community service.
4. Assessment and waiting list – your application will be assessed, and if approved, you may be placed on a waiting list. People in urgent situations, such as homelessness or domestic violence, are given priority.

Tip: If you need help, community housing providers like Home in Place can guide you through the process.

Is social housing means-tested?

Yes, social housing in Australia is means-tested. This means your household income and assets are assessed to ensure homes go to people with the greatest financial need. 

Each state and territory sets different income and asset limits, and they can also vary depending on the size of your household. If your income or savings are above the limit, you may not qualify.

Can you live in social housing and own property?

In most cases, you cannot live in social housing if you own a property you could reasonably live in. However, there are some exceptions. 

For example, you may still qualify if the property is:

• Unsafe to occupy
• Too small for your household
• Located in another state or region where you cannot live
• Subject to legal or family disputes

Housing authorities will look at whether the property can genuinely meet your accommodation needs before deciding on your social housing eligibility.

Can permanent residents apply for social housing?

Yes. Permanent residents are usually eligible to apply for social housing, as long as they also meet the other criteria (such as income limits and residency within the state or territory). 

On the other hand, temporary visa holders, international students, and tourists are typically not eligible for social housing.

Can young people under 18 apply for housing?

Most states set the minimum age at 18, but there are exceptions. For instance, in Western Australia and the ACT, young people aged 16 and over can apply directly. In other states, applications under 18 may be considered in special circumstances, such as leaving care, escaping violence, or being homeless.

Support services and youth workers play a vital role in helping young people apply for housing when they can’t safely stay at home. This might involve explaining the eligibility rules, helping gather documents like proof of income or ID, or even advocating on a young person’s behalf if their situation is complex. 

For teenagers leaving care, escaping family violence, or experiencing homelessness, these services can provide not only housing support but also connections to counselling, education programs, and financial assistance. 

How long is the waiting list for social housing?

Waiting times for social housing vary widely across Australia. For some applicants, housing may be offered within months, while others may wait several years. 

The exact timeframe depends on:

• The state or territory you apply in
• The type of housing needed (e.g., single, family, accessible housing)
• How urgent your situation is

People experiencing homelessness, family violence, serious medical issues or living  disability are often placed on priority lists, which can shorten wait times.

Explore social housing with Home in Place

Social housing is designed to give vulnerable Australians a safe and secure place to call home. While the rules vary across states and territories, the core idea is the same: to help those in greatest need.

If you think you may qualify, confirm the social housing eligibility criteria for your area before applying with a trusted provider.

At Home in Place, we deliver community housing across Queensland and New South Wales. We work alongside residents to help them maintain their homes and achieve personal goals, whether that’s through connecting with health and employment services or accessing training and skills development.

To learn more about housing options and whether you qualify, get in touch with our team today.