Rent Allowance (RA) subsidises the cost of renting a property in the private rental market.
If you are approved for RA you will need to find a suitable rental property. You will then be responsible for paying the rent to the landlord or agent.
Use the Rent allowance calculator to calculate your entitlement.
RA policy is determined by the Department of Defence and is outlined in the Defence Pay and Conditions Manual (PACMAN), Chapter 7. The amount paid is based on:
- your rank
- property rent
- number of sharing occupants
- your categorisation, and
- your posting locality.
You should not sign any leasing documentation for a rental residence until you are familiar with the guidelines outlined on this website and in policy. We encourage you to submit your application through Online Services and wait for approval before committing to a rental property.
To learn more about the area you’re posting into, read our location spotlights.
This guide is designed to explain your Rent Allowance (RA) entitlements, the administrative processes that support RA and your responsibilities as a recipient of RA.
Forms
Returning forms to Defence Housing Australia
Online Services
Some forms can be submitted electronically through Online Services. This is our preferred method of form submission and we'll encourage you to use Online Services wherever possible. Please note not all forms can be submitted this way.
Email
Send your forms directly via email to housing@dha.gov.au.