This table defines terms used in this Chapter.
Term | Definition in this Chapter |
---|---|
Contribution | The amount a member pays towards the cost of benefits provided for housing, meals and utilities. |
Date of purchase | The date they enter into a contract to buy their own home. Example: The member formally exchanges contracts. |
Date of sale | For a member's own home, the date they enter into a contract to sell the home. |
Hotel | Includes a motel, boarding house or similar accommodation. It does not include a serviced apartment. See: The definition of serviced apartment in this section. |
HomeFind | The electronic database and home allocation system maintained by the Defence Housing Australia. |
Incomplete cycle | If a member does not complete a member's cycle, it is the part of the cycle that has been completed. |
Member's cycle | Is the repetitive pattern in the member's flexible service determination that consists of the pattern of service and nonworking periods. |
Own home and 'ownership' |
Example: Three members buy an equal third share in a home. They rent it out when posted out of the home's location. When one of the members returns to the home's location, the member is taken to own the home. Example 1: The member is the sole beneficiary of a trust. Their dependant is the trustee who holds the legal title. The home is still the member's because they have an equitable interest in it. Example 2: The member's home is mortgaged to a lender. The member is still taken to own the home even though the lender also has an interest in it. See: Part 2 |
Posting location | See: Section 7.1.15 |
Rank | Worn rank. |
Rent | A charge for a rented home for which rent allowance is payable. It includes both these charges if they apply.
See: Part 8 Division 4 section 7.8.19, Working out rent allowance |
Rent ceiling | An amount that is the maximum fortnightly rent that can be used to work out a member's rent allowance. See: Part 8 Division 2, Rent ceilings Annex 7.E, Rent ceilings |
Resident child carer | A person who has not been recognised as a dependent for conditions of service purposes and who is living with the member's family for the purpose of providing child care for the member's dependent children. Note: A resident child carer is not provided at Commonwealth expense. This relationship is an arrangement between the member and the child carer. See: Part 6 Division 2 section 7.6.8, Resident child carer, for Service residences Part 8 Division 4 section 7.8.22, Resident child carer, for rent allowance |
Service residence | A home provided by the Commonwealth. |
Serviced apartment | Accommodation that the CDF is satisfied is a serviced apartment. The CDF must consider all these criteria.
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Suitable accommodation | See: Section 7.1.17 |
Utilities | See: Part 10 section 7.10.2, Utilities – definition |
Utility connection deposit | A deposit required before water, gas or electricity services can be supplied to a home. |
Persons who can make the decision under section 7.1.14, definition of serviced apartment on behalf of the CDF:
An employee of Toll Transitions who performs the duties of:
Director Relocations and Housing
Assistant Director Relocations and Housing
Chapter 1 Part 3 Division 1 section 1.3.55 defines the basic meaning of posting location for service within Australia. This table defines exceptions and particular cases under this Chapter. This makes sure that housing assistance is targeted at a member's home even if they are away from it.
Item | If the member is... | and the member... | then their posting location is... |
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1. | a former member | rejoins the ADF | where they lived just before they rejoined the ADF. |
2. | a member with dependants | meets both these conditions.
See: Chapter 6 Part 5 Division 1 for removals |
where the dependants lived immediately before the member joined the ADF. |
3. | a member with dependants (unaccompanied) | meets both of these conditions.
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the location of the member's dependants' first Australian home. |
4. | a member with dependants | is deployed for six months or longer | either of these places.
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5. | a member with dependants | meets all these conditions.
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where their dependants live until the end of the calendar year. See: Part 6 Division 9 section 7.6.61, Member keeps a Service residence at losing location |
6. | a member with dependants (unaccompanied) | is posted away from their dependants' home | where their dependants live until the member stops being a member with dependants (unaccompanied). |
7. | a member with dependants (unaccompanied) | has dependants who live in a personal location for which housing assistance benefits are not provided | the location where the member is posted. |
8. | a member with dependants (unaccompanied) | has dependants who live in a personal location for which housing assistance benefits are provided | the location where the member is posted. |
9. | a member with dependants or a member without dependants | is posted to a seagoing ship or a seagoing submarine | the location they are given a removal to under section 6.5.36. |
10. | a member with or without dependants | is posted to a location in a greater area approved by the CDF under Chapter 1 Part 3 Division 1 paragraph 1.3.55.1.b | whichever of these locations has the lower rent ceiling.
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12. | participating in the Puckapunyal housing trial, described in section 7.1.16A | is posted to Puckapunyal Military Area and has their posting location extended by CDF under subsection 1.3.55.3 | Seymour. |
Examples of item 10:
A member is posted to Newcastle. They are given permission to live at Singleton. Their posting location extends to Singleton. They are only eligible for the rent ceiling for Singleton as it has the lower rent ceiling.
A member is posted to Singleton. They are given permission to live in Newcastle. Their posting location extends to Newcastle. They are still only eligible for the rent ceiling for Singleton, as it has the lower rent ceiling.
Note: For table item 4, the list of deployments approved by the Minister is available in Annex 17.1.A.
A member is participating in the Puckapunyal housing trial if the CDF has approved an extension of their posting location under subsection 2.
Note: The standard rules that apply in relation to housing assistance apply to members participating in the Puckapunyal housing trial.
The CDF may extend the posting location described in paragraph 1.3.55.1.a for a member if satisfied of the following.
The member is posted to the Puckapunyal Military Area.
The member's daily attendance for duty would not be affected by any additional travel.
The member commutes daily to their normal place of duty.
The purpose of extending the posting location is to facilitate one of the following.
The member's spouse or partner undertaking employment, other than home based employment.
The member is returning from a long-term posting overseas and member's spouse or partner seeking employment, other than home based employment.
The member's spouse or partner undertaking a period of study on a face-to face basis.
If the member has a dependant with special needs — access to professional services for that dependant.
The Puckapunyal housing trial ceases on 31 December 2023.
Suitable accommodation must meet all of these conditions.
It is in the member's posting location.
It can accommodate the member and dependants, if any.
It meets any levels or standards that depend on the rank of the member.
Exception: A rented home or an own home.
See:
Part 4 Division 3 section 7.4.16 for levels of living-in accommodation
Part 6 sections 7.6.13 and 7.6.16 for rank groups and allocation principles
It is available within a reasonable time.
The type of housing that is suitable also depends on the category of member, as shown in this table.
Item | If the member... | then suitable accommodation may be... |
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1. | is a member with dependants | any of the following. |
2. | is a member with dependants (unaccompanied) |
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3. | meets both the following conditions:
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4. | is a member without dependants | any of the following.
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Application to Reservists: Yes, on continuous full-time service.
Further info
Contact
Defence Housing Australia
139 342
Defence Service Centre
1800 DEFENCE (1800 333 362)
Visit the Afghanistan Inquiry website for information and welfare support regarding The Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force’s (IGADF) Afghanistan Inquiry.
Defence Pay and Conditions is a Defence People Group website.