The Housing Authority operates within the Department of Communities (Communities).
How do I pay my rent and bills?
Communities does not accept cash payments at any of our offices. There are five ways that you can pay your rent.
1. Centrelink
If your income is from a Centrelink pension or benefit, your rent can be deducted and sent directly to us. Additional charges, such as water consumption, can also be deducted from your Centrelink pension or benefit. To join the Centrelink Rent Deduction Scheme, download the Rent Deduction Form, complete, and send back to us.
2. Post office
You can use your Housing Authority card to make payments at any Post Office.
3. Direct debit
You can arrange with us for your rent to be paid directly from your bank account.
Download the Direct Debit brochure. The brochure includes the Direct Debit Request form which you can print out, fill in and mail or hand back in person.
4. Online bill payment (BPOINT)
You can use your credit card to pay your rent or additional charges, such as water consumption or tenant liability. Go to the Online Bill Payment page to pay online.
5. Online bill payment (BPAY)
A BPAY biller code and account number is printed on the back of your approval letter and other letters related to your account. Payments are made through your financial institution. Visit BPAY for more information.
Difficulties paying your rent and bills?
It is important to pay your rent on time and to keep your account paid at least two weeks in advance if you pay fortnightly or one week in advance if you pay weekly.
If you fall behind in rent payments, contact your Housing Services Officer immediately so Communities can help organise an affordable repayment arrangement to clear any debt. Please notify us if you are having difficulties so that we can advise you of available assistance.
If you are currently experiencing difficulties paying your bills, please see our Help is Available brochures.
Debt Discount Scheme
The Debt Discount Scheme helps applicants or previous tenants who owe money to Communities.
The scheme offers housing applicants or previous tenants a discount to help repay money owed.
Under the scheme, eligible customers only have to pay 50 per cent of the debt they owe. As a result, applicants can repay their debt quicker and then re-enter public housing.
Am I eligible?
The scheme is available to previous tenants and applicants for rental housing or home ownership.
Current tenants cannot access the scheme for debts accumulated in their current tenancy.
Tenants who transfer to another rental property are not eligible to apply. The scheme is not available to bond assistance loan debts.
How it works
Communities offers a discount of 50 per cent off your debt. That is $1 off for every $1 you repay. This means that if your debt is $600 you will only have to repay $300.
However, to remain in the scheme you must maintain your repayment schedule. This means that if you agreed to pay $20 a week, you must pay $20 every week, or you will no longer be eligible for the discount.
To join the scheme, you need to complete an application form and return it to your nearest Housing office.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a receipt for Centrelink payments or deductions?
Show moreYes. You will receive your tenancy rental statement regularly. This statement shows all the payments and deductions you have received for that account period, including payments and deductions from Centrelink.
You can also ask your Housing Services Officer for a printout of your current account statement.
Can I change the amount of my direct deduction?
Show moreYes. You can change your agreed amount at any time.
However, be careful not to set it so low that you fall behind on your rent.
