We are regularly contacted by residents seeking assistance with rental costs or support to remain in their current tenancy. The below summary was provided by the Department of Housing and outlines the rental assistance products currently available through the Queensland Government.

These programs are subject to eligibility criteria and income limits.

Rental Security Subsidy & other products

Website: Get help paying rent (Rental Security Subsidy) | Housing | Queensland Government

There are 2 types of help available:

  • Rental Security Subsidy General:subsidised rent for a maximum of 2 years (10k)
  • Rental Security Subsidy for young people:subsidised rent for a maximum of 4 years. You need to be 25 years old or under and are the primary or legal tenant (20k)
  • Eligibility
  • Applying now (online)

 Help to stay in your rental (RentConnect) | Housing | Queensland Government

The website addresses:

 Bond Loans and Rental Grants

Website: Types of bond loans and rental grants | Housing | Queensland Government

The website address:

  • Bond loans (links to borrowing, eligibility and applying online)
    • A Bond Loan helps cover the cost of a rental bond when you move into a new rental home.
    • The loan amount for a Bond Loan is up to 4 weeks’ rent and must be repaid. No interest or fees apply.
  • Bond loan plus (links to borrowing, eligibility and applying online)
    • A Bond Loan Plus helps cover the cost for the rental bond and an amount equal to 2 weeks’ rent.
    • The loan amount for a Bond Loan Plus is up to 6 weeks’ rent and must be repaid. No interest or fees apply.
    • Once approved, we will pay the four weeks bond amount to the Residential Tenancies Authority and the two weeks rent amount to your property owner or manager. Your first rent payment may be due before we process your loan application. Make sure you have funds available to pay your rent as per your tenancy agreement.
  • Bridging loan (links to borrowing, eligibility and applying online)
    • A Bridging Bond Loan helps cover the upfront cost of a new bond while you wait for the Residential Tenancies Authority to release your current bond.
    • The loan amount for a Bridging Bond Loan is up to 4 weeks’ rent and must be repaid. No interest or fees apply.
  • Rental Grant (links to borrowing, eligibility and applying online)
    • A Rental Grant helps support people in housing crisis move into a rental home.
    • The grant is a one-off payment of 2 weeks’ rent and does not need to be repaid.

Household income eligibility limits

Income eligibility limits are assessed on the total income for all applicants, not an individual applicant’s income. An applicant is a person who will sign the tenancy agreement.

To be eligible, the combined gross (before-tax) income of all applicants can’t be more than the limits shown in the table below.

Household type Combined gross weekly income limit (before tax)
1 adult $1,325
2 adults $1,987
3 adults $2,649
4 adults $3,312
1 adult with 1 dependant $1,722
1 adult with 2 dependants $2,119
1 adult with 3 dependants $2,517
1 adult with 4 dependants $2,914
2 adults with 1 dependant $2,384
2 adults with 2 dependants $2,782
2 adults with 3 dependants $3,179
2 adults with 4 dependants $3,576

Residents seeking assistance are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria carefully and apply directly through the Queensland Government website, via https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/renting/help-with-your-current-rental-home/security-subsidy

If you require further clarification or are experiencing difficulty navigating the process, contact the Maroochydore Housing Service Centre on 5352 733 or email maroochydorehsc@housing.qld.gov.au.

Further information

For further information on the Department of Housing https://www.housing.qld.gov.au/.

For Sandy’s advocacies on housing, visit https://www.sandybolton.com/?s=housing