Division 1: Entitlement to Choice Accommodation – Darwin

7.5A.3   Definitions
7.5A.4   Choice Accommodation
7.5A.5   Member who is eligible
7.5A.6   Member not eligible
7.5A.7    Choice Accommodation rent band for a member's rank
7.5A.8   Member living in Choice Accommodation above their rank group
7.5A.9   Member living in Choice Accommodation below their rank group
7.5A.9A  Change in classification of Choice Accommodation
7.5A.10  Storage of furniture and effects
7.5A.11  Advances of rent or bond
7.5A.11A Choice Accommodation on deployment

7.5A.3   Definitions

 

This table defines terms used in this Part.

 

Term

Definition in this Part

Rent band

For choice accommodation, the classification that applies to the accommodation under clause 7.5A.7.

Rent range

In this Part, the rent range is the scale of rents that Defence Housing Australia uses to assign a classification group to a Choice Accommodation property.

Rank group

A group of ranks that includes a member's rank.

7.5A.4   Choice Accommodation

1.

Choice Accommodation is off-base accommodation made available by Defence Housing Australia.

2.

A Choice Accommodation home is classified into a rent band on the basis of the rent range that applies to it.

See:

Clause 7.5A.3 Definition of rent range

Clause 7.5A.7 Choice Accommodation rent band for a member's rank

7.5A.5   Member who is eligible

1.

A member may apply to the Defence Housing Australia for a Choice Accommodation home if they meet all these conditions.

 

a.

They are a member without dependants or a member with dependants (unaccompanied).

 

b.

They are eligible for rent allowance under Chapter 7 Part 6 Division 1.

Note: This includes a member eligible for either full or partial rent allowance.

2.

A member must be eligible for rent allowance, but does not receive it while they occupy a Choice Accommodation home.

7.5A.6   Member not eligible

1.

A member is not eligible if they share the Choice Accommodation home with any of these people.

 

a.

A person who is not a member of the ADF.

 

b.

A member who is not entitled to rent allowance.

 

c.

More than one other person.

2.

A member is not eligible for a Choice Accommodation home in either of the following situations.

 

a.

They become a member with dependants.

Exception: A member with dependants (unaccompanied).

 

b.

They cease to be entitled to rent allowance under Chapter 7 Part 6 Division 5.

7.5A.7    Choice Accommodation rent band for a member's rank

 

The CDF may offer a member an available Choice Accommodation home that corresponds to their rank group and rent band in the table.

 

Item

Choice accommodation in this rent range (per week)...

is classified as being in this rent band...

and is the standard entitlement for a member in this rank group...

1.

$0.00 – $442.00

1

Corporal or lower

Staff Sergeant

Sergeant

Second Lieutenant

Lieutenant

2.

$442.01 – $518.00

2

Warrant Officer Class 2

Warrant Officer Class 1

Captain

3.

$518.01 – $592.00

3

Major

Lieutenant Colonel

4.

$592.01 – $677.00

4

Colonel

Brigadier

 

Persons who can make the decision under clause 7.5A.7 on behalf of the CDF:

A person not below WO2(E)/APS 4 who is:

-     Team Leader in the Darwin Housing Management Centre

-     Relocations Manager in the Darwin Housing Management Centre

-     Darwin Housing Management Centre Manager

7.5A.8   Member living in Choice Accommodation above their rank group

1.

The CDF may offer a member Choice Accommodation that is above their rank group specified for the member in the table in clause 7.5A.7.

2.

If the member accepts the offer of a home under this clause, they must pay the contribution that corresponds to the rent band of the choice accommodation instead of the contribution that corresponds to their rank group.

 

Persons who can make the decision under subclause 7.5A.8.1 on behalf of the CDF:

A person not below WO2(E)/APS 4 who is:

-      Team Leader in the Darwin Housing Management Centre

-      Relocations Manager in the Darwin Housing Management Centre

-      Darwin Housing Management Centre Manager

7.5A.9   Member living in Choice Accommodation below their rank group

1.

The CDF may offer a member Choice Accommodation that is below the rank group specified for the member in the table in clause 7.5A.7.

2.

If the member accepts the offer of a home under this clause, they must pay the contribution that corresponds to the rent band of the Choice Accommodation, instead of their rank group.

 

Persons who can make the decision under subclause 7.5A.9.1 on behalf of the CDF:

A person not below WO2(E)/APS 4 who is:

-     Team Leader in the Darwin Housing Management Centre

-     Relocations Manager in the Darwin Housing Management Centre

-     Darwin Housing Management Centre Manager

7.5A.9A  Change in classification of Choice Accommodation

 1.

The rent range for Choice Accommodation is reviewed annually. The rent is also subject to change.

2.

If the rent or rent range for Choice Accommodation is adjusted as a result of a review, this may change the rent band of the property.

3.

If the CDF reclassifies a Choice Accommodation property due to a rent range review or rent change, then that changed classification takes effect on the relevant date specified in the table.

 

Item

If a rent range review or rent change results in...

the reclassification of the property will take effect...

1.

an increase to the rent band

when the next tenancy agreement starts.

The rent band will not change during the period of a member's tenancy agreement.

2.

a decrease to the rent band

on the date it is changed.

7.5A.10  Storage of furniture and effects

 

A member who is eligible for Choice Accommodation is eligible for the storage entitlements as if item 1 of the table in clause 6.6.46 applied to them, for furniture and effects that cannot be housed in their Choice Accommodation property.

See: Chapter 6 Part 6 Division 7 clause 6.6.46, Members without dependants

7.5A.11  Advances of rent or bond

 

The benefits provided under Chapter 7 Part 6 Division 6 are not available to a member who applies for Choice Accommodation under this Part.

7.5A.11A Choice Accommodation on deployment

1.

This clause applies to a member who is deployed for six months or longer.

2.

The member may choose between the following options.

 

a.

To keep the Choice Accommodation home for the period of the member's deployment.

 

b.

To leave the Choice Accommodation home.

 

Related Information: A member who chooses to leave a Choice Accommodation home becomes entitled to a range of removal and storage conditions. Summaries are in clauses 17.5.13 (for warlike deployments) and 17.7.13 (for non-warlike deployments). 

See: Chapter 17
Part 5 Division 1 clause 17.5.13, Member living out
Part 7 Division 1 clause 17.7.13, Member living out

3.

The choice in subclause 2 must be in writing to the member's Housing Management Centre Manager and made before the member is deployed.

4.

A member who fails to make a choice under subclause 2 is taken to have chosen to keep their Choice Accommodation home.

 

PACMAN                                                             AL12 (October 2009)                             Chapter 7 – Part 5A Division 1 – 1