Help with bond assistance for private rental

You can apply for up to 4 weeks rent as a security deposit and an option to cover 2 weeks rent in advance.

If you're sharing with other people, you can only apply for the amount of bond you will be required to pay.

You must meet the following conditions to be eligible to apply for private rental bond assistance.

Exemptions may be made in priority circumstances. This can include people escaping family violence or sponsored refugees.

Residency

You must be:

• an Australian citizen
• a permanent resident of Australia
• hold a Special Category Visa or Temporary Protection Visa
• be a resident in the Northern Territory for the 3 months prior to putting in your application.

Age limit

You must be at least 18 years old to apply.

Income and asset limits

The income and assets limits apply to all people who are applying for private rental bond assistance.

Income

You must declare all sources of income including income you may get from overseas.

The rent you will pay must not be more than 53% of your income.

If you're eligible for Commonwealth Rent Assistance, this amount will be included in the income assessment, even if you haven't applied for or received it.

Assets

Assets you will need to declare include:

• savings and cash holdings
• recreational vehicles, quad bikes and trail bikes
• boats
• caravans, camping trailers and mobile homes
• stock market bonds and investments
• superannuation and rollover funds that can be accessed
• compensation payments
• land or property.

Find a full list of what assets are assessed when you apply for bond assistance.

Assets not included are:

• personal affects
• general household furniture
• personal vehicles and other forms of transport, including:
  • cars
  • motorbikes
  • mobility scooters.

*Income and asset limits were last changed on 9 October 2023.

Outstanding housing debt

You can't apply if you have an outstanding debt with Territory Families, Housing and Communities (TFHC).

To apply, you must be able to provide:

• proof of income
• details of all assets
• proof you have been a Northern Territory resident for 3 months or more
• photo identification.

You will be contacted by TFHC regarding the outcome of your application.

If you have been approved

You will be sent a letter which is valid for 4 weeks.

Next steps:

• the letter will state the maximum amount you are eligible for
• you must show this letter to your landlord so they also know the maximum you are eligible to receive
• when you find a home to rent you must take a copy of the rental agreement to your local housing office
• you then must make an agreement to pay back the money
• the loan money is then paid direct to your landlord or real estate agent.

You may use private rental bond assistance more than once but only if the previous money has been repaid in full.

If you have not been approved

If you're not successful, you can talk with the staff at your local housing office. They may be able to suggest other options available.

If you have been approved and utilise the private rental bond assistance, you must repay the loan.

Repayments will be based on your agreement with TFHC.

Repayments must be at least $10 per week and the length of an agreement can't be more than 18 months.

You can choose to make larger repayments and pay off the loan quicker.

If your tenancy agreement ends, the bond amount returned to you can be used to repay any bond assistance you owe TFHC.

Your landlord or real-estate agent can return this amount directly to TFHC.

If you receive a Centrelink payment, you may also be eligible for help with rental payments.

You can read more about rental assistance on the Australian Government's Department of Social Services website.