You need to register for public or Aboriginal housing in South Australia
Individuals and families who need public, community, or Aboriginal housing support can register with the Authority, either online through Housing Connect, or by visiting one of the SA Housing Authority’s offices in Adelaide and around the state. Eligible applicants are then placed in one of four categories depending on their need for housing and the urgency of their situation. Around 85% of available public housing is allocated to those applicants considered to be Category 1 customers (i.e., people with urgent housing needs and long-term barriers to accessing or maintaining private housing options).
Who is eligible for public or Aboriginal housing?
Individuals are eligible if:
- they can verify that they live in South Australia
- they have independent income
- no-one in the household owns or part-owns residential property
- they meet income and assets limits.
Some people who don’t meet the income and assets limits may still be eligible if they meet al other conditions. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are eligible for Aboriginal housing managed by the Authority if they have independent income and the community’s local governing body confirms a connection to the community that the Aboriginal person is applying for.
What are the four housing allocation categories?
- Category 1
- People with urgent housing needs and long-term barriers to accessing or maintaining private housing options.
- Category 2
- People who are not in urgent housing need but have long-term barriers to accessing or maintaining private housing options.
- Category 3
- People who do not have urgent housing needs or long-term barriers to other housing options.
- Category 4
- Current SA Housing Authority tenants who apply for a transfer.
How are public or Aboriginal housing applications assessed?
The SA Housing Authority considers a number of issues when assessing applications for public and Aboriginal housing, including:
- an applicant’s accommodation history
- available housing options
- the particular housing needs of the applicant
- the circumstances of all people included on the housing application.
Allocating a property
Successful applicants can be offered public or Aboriginal housing, with the conditions of the lease, the rent to be paid, and any other support included in the offer. Before moving into the allocated property, the successful applicant must:
- provide proof of their identity
- provide proof of their independent income
- pay a bond equal to one week’s rent
- make an arrangement to repay any outstanding debt they have with the SA Housing Authority
- make an arrangement to pay their rent through the Rent Deduction Scheme (if their main income is from Centrelink or the Department of Veteran’s Affairs)
- pay one week’s rent in advance.
More information
You can find out more about the SA Housing Authority’s system of allocating public and Aboriginal housing by reading the Authority’s Housing Registration and Allocation Policy.