Repaying your rent debt

If you have a rent debt with the department from a previous tenancy, you can still apply for social housing assistance and we will assess your circumstances. If you’re eligible for social housing, you will be placed on the housing register, and we will talk to you about a repayment plan to pay back your debt.

How do I find out if I have a rent debt?

You can talk to staff at your nearest Housing Service Centre to check your housing records. We will send you a letter saying how much the rent debt is and how to make repayments.

What if I don’t agree with the debt?

If you don’t think you owe the money, or you think you have already repaid it, you can ask for a debt review through your nearest Housing Service Centre. Make sure you provide any information you feel needs to be included in the review. We will send you a letter to let you know the result of the debt review. If you still owe money after the review, you must repay it.

How do I repay the rent debt?

You can repay your debt using:

• electronic direct deduction from your Centrelink payment (Rent Deduction Scheme), Department of Veterans' Affairs payment (Direct Deduction Facility) or direct debit from your bank
• a Payment Slip for making repayments at any Australia Post office or agency. Your nearest Housing Service Centre can issue a Payment Slip to you
• BPay - with phone or internet banking, use BPay Biller Code 747337 and your payment reference number. You can also find the payment reference number on your Payment Slip.

Contact your nearest Housing Service Centre for more information.