Member's Guide to ADF Pay and Conditions in Australia – see Disclaimer – check PACMAN for full details
7.5 Service residences
Service residences are provided by Defence Housing Australia as ADF family accommodation. If there is no suitable Service residence available the member will be eligible for rent allowance (see 7.7).
Who is eligible?
You are eligible for a Service residence if you fit into any of these groups.
· You have a spouse, interdependent partner or children who live with you.
· You have other dependants and you are given approval to have ADF housing for them.
· You are a member with dependents (unaccompanied) (see 8.1) and your dependants need housing.
· You have no dependants living with you, you are eligible for rent allowance (see 7.7), and members with dependants do not need the Service residence.
If you own a home at the place where you are posted and it is suitable for you to live in, you will not be eligible for a Service residence, unless you are a member with dependants (unaccompanied).
The size of your Service residence depends on how many dependants live in it. You can also choose to live in a bigger or smaller home, if one is available.
Only one offer of a suitable Service residence is usually made. If there are more available in your posting area, you may be given several to choose from.
What do I pay?
You must pay a contribution towards the cost of your Service residence. If you choose a Service residence from a higher rent band than the one for your rank, you must pay a higher contribution.
If you are a member with dependants (unaccompanied), your dependants may remain in your Service residence in your old posting location. You will be provided with living-in accommodation, rent allowance, or a Service residence free of charge in the new location.
Application to Reservists: No, except for Reservists on continuous full-time service.
References: ADF Pay and Conditions Manual, Chapter 7 Part 5.
Rates of contribution are listed in the ADF Pay and Conditions Manual, Chapter 7 Annex 7.A1.
Information about what Service Residences are available in your posting area can be found on the Homefind web site, www.homefind.com.au (You can get a password from Defence Housing Australia).