WA Tenancy Support
If you’re renting in Western Australia and experiencing housing stress, there is help available. Whether you’re living in public housing or renting privately, these services are here to support you to stay housed and manage your tenancy.
On this page, you’ll find information about:
- Support for public housing tenants at risk of losing their tenancy
- Financial relief for private renters through the WA Rent Relief Program
- Housing options available across WA for people on low to moderate incomes
- Free tenancy advice and legal help from community legal centres
Explore the services below to find the support that’s right for your situation.
Public Tenancy Support
Public Tenancy Support supports people living in public housing provided by the Western Australian Department of Communities, who are in danger of losing their tenancy.
For tenants who are eligible for the service, housing support workers will visit them in their home, assess their situation and help plan a solution that best suits them.
The service can help to address problems including rental arrears, housing conditions and cleanliness, and anti-social behaviour. The support workers can negotiate and advocate on the tenant’s behalf, assist with budgeting, assist with filling in paperwork, and show the tenant appropriate methods of house keeping and home management.
The service is designed to provide immediate assistance to solve the current problems, but also to arm the tenant with the knowledge and capacity to retain their tenancy independently.
WA Rent Relief Program
The WA Rent Relief Program is an initiative that aims to keep Western Australians with private tenancies in their homes.
The WA Rent Relief Program offers a single payment of up to $5,000 per household, supporting private tenants to continue their tenancy by:
- Clearing rental arrears.
- In some circumstances, providing a 50% contribution to future rent costs for up to three months.
- Paying rent relief directly to the landlord or property manager – if agreement is made to continue the tenancy.
- Facilitating access to financial, social and advocacy supports
Housing options
The WA Government, Australian Government and non-government organisations provide several types of housing options to Western Australians who have a housing need and receive a low to moderate income.
These products include rental housing options, rental assistance, and information on tenant rights. Eligibility criteria varies from product to product.
To receive advice on your options based on your current household circumstances, and to find out what products you may be eligible for, contact your local Department of Communities (Communities) Housing office to complete a Housing Options Assessment.
For information about the Housing Options Assessment, and to download the Assessment form, please visit the Housing Options Assessment webpage.
Tenancy advice and education service
Help is available for residential tenants who need further advice, require assistance in negotiating with their landlord or property manager, or have a tenancy-related legal issue through the Tenancy Advice and Education Service (TAES).
TAES is delivered by community legal centres across Western Australia. Community legal centres are independent, community-based organisations that provide free, or low cost, legal help. They can provide residential tenants with information, assistance and support.
Circle Green offers state-wide telephone-based assistance, or you can contact one of the TAES providers listed below that are closest to you.
Green Circle Community Legal
Green Circle provide quality legal services, including advice, further assistance, representation, education, advocacy, information, and referrals to residential tenants anywhere in Western Australia.
They help tenants in:
- Private rentals
- Public rentals
- Community housing
- Boarding, lodging or accommodation agreements
- Long-stay caravan park residents
