WA Rent Relief Program

The WA Government will provide one-off rent relief payments to help eligible tenants who are at risk of eviction because their rent is in arrears to negotiate with their landlords to extend their tenancy.
Last updated:

To help keep the WA economy strong for the long-term and to support those in our community who are doing it tough, the WA Government is providing a $24.4 million package to fund the WA Rent Relief Program, to make a real difference to West Australians in need.

The Program will provide one-off rent relief payments to help eligible tenants who are at risk of eviction because their rent is in arrears, to negotiate with their landlords to extend their tenancy.

Recognising financial stress

Many Western Australians are experiencing financial stress due to rising rent payments and cost-of-living pressures. The WA Government understands these difficulties and the current pressures in the WA rental market which is why this Program has been funded to support vulnerable Western Australians to remain in their private rental homes.

Supporting those most vulnerable

The Program will begin in December 2023 and will run in conjunction with other initiatives to increase housing supply and support private tenants in WA.

The WA Government is working with key community service organisations starting with Anglicare WA and Vinnies WA to identify tenants in need of assistance through their existing services and networks and assist those tenants in applying for relief.

What the Program offers:

  • A one-off payment for rent arrears and future rent. Future rent will be paid through a co-contribution model, which requires the tenant to demonstrate their commitment to the tenancy by paying 50 per cent or more of the weekly rent.
  • Rent relief payment made direct to the landlord if an agreement is made to continue the tenancy.
  • Support to negotiate the continuation of the lease agreement with the landlord.
  • Additional social supports and advocacy for those in housing stress.

To qualify for the Program, private tenants must be:

  • living in WA;
  • behind in their rent putting them at risk of eviction; and
  • in rental stress.

Contacts:

To speak to someone about the WA Rent Relief Program, call the Emergency Relief Food Access Service on 1800 979 777 between the hours of 9.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday and select Option 3 to speak to the Rent Relief Triage Team.

If you are facing financial difficulties, the following agencies can also be contacted: 

  1. National Debt Helpline: 1800 007 007
  2. Emergency Relief & Food Access Service: 1800 979 777
  3. Vinnies Emergency Assistance and Support: 1300 794 054
  4. WAConnect: WAConnect - Community Services Directory

WA Rent Relief Program Fact Sheet

The WA Rent Relief Program Fact Sheet (PDF 116 KB) provides more information. Download the Fact Sheet or share with someone you know.

WA Rent Relief Program Fact Sheet

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the WA Rent Relief Program?

The WA Rent Relief Program is a $24.4 million initiative to support Western Australian tenants who may be at risk of eviction because their rent is in arrears.

What will the rent relief payment cover?

A one-off rent relief payment of up to $5,000 per household to cover rent arrears and, in some cases, up to 50 per cent of three-months' future rent.

Future rent will be paid through a co-contribution model, which requires the tenant to demonstrate their commitment to the tenancy by paying 50 per cent or more of the weekly rent.

Will I be able to apply for rent relief?

Community Service Organisations will identify and work with those engaged with their services and refer them to the Rent Relief Program where required.

Tenants not already engaged with a financial counselling or housing support program can enquire about the WA Rent Relief Program by first lodging an enquiry at www.warentrelief.org.au.

If you are experiencing financial difficulty, contact National Debt Helpline via 1800 007 007.

Who will the rent relief be paid to?

A rent relief payment will be paid directly to the landlord or the property manager.

How will people be referred to the program?

Initially, applicants must be engaged with an approved community service organisation providing financial counselling and housing support. Those who have not already engaged with a financial counselling or housing support program can enquire about the WA Rent Relief Program by first lodging an enquiry at www.warentrelief.org.au.

The financial counsellor or housing support provider will assess your eligibility, support you to apply online, and link you with other support services if you need them. Only applications that have been assessed by an approved community service organisation will be considered.

Which Community Service Organisations will be able to assess applications?

The WA Government is working with key community service organisations starting with Anglicare WA and Vinnies WA who will be able to assess applications through the use of Financial Counselling and Housing Support programs.

What will the financial counsellor or housing support worker do? What information will I need to provide?

  1. Participants will undertake an initial appointment with a participating financial counsellor or housing support worker. This may be online or by phone if required.
  2. Financial counsellors or a housing support worker will assess your eligibility. Applicants will be asked to provide:
    1. evidence of income for those named on your tenancy agreement
    2. evidence of expenditure for the household
    3. tenancy agreement
    4. statement from your landlord showing rental arrears.
  3. If determined eligible, the financial counsellor or housing support worker will liaise with your landlord to obtain a declaration that they will continue your tenancy for up to three months and not proceed to eviction once arrears are paid.
  4. The financial counsellor or housing support worker will make a recommendation about the value of rent relief payment to be paid.
  5. The financial counsellor or housing support worker will support the applicant to submit an application through an online portal. Applicants will be required to upload:
    1. a copy of the financial counsellor or housing support worker assessment.
    2. your tenancy agreement.
    3. the primary applicant’s identification documents.
    4. landlord / rent payment details.
  6. Applications will be reviewed, ID checks completed, and a payment made directly to your landlord.
  7. The financial counsellor or housing support worker will also support the applicant to access other schemes, support programs, and emergency relief services as needed.

What do you define as a ‘household’?

Rental stress is determined based on the combined income and expenditure of the people listed on the written tenancy agreement who are living in the household.

For example, if there are four tenants listed on the written tenancy agreement, the combined income and expenditure of the four tenants form part of the assessment of eligibility. All four tenants will form part of the household WA Rent Relief Program application.

Can I submit multiple applications?

No. There can be only one applicant per household who can only submit one application under the WA Rent Relief Program.

Since I received assistance, I’ve moved, have a new tenancy agreement and am experiencing rental distress. Can I apply again?

No. An applicant who has received relief cannot receive further relief under the WA Rent Relief Program even if they become part of a new household.

Does this WA Rent Relief Program apply for boarders and lodgers?

No. To be eligible for the WA Rent Relief Program you must be a tenant listed on a Residential Tenancy Agreement (Form 1AA), or Standard form on-site home agreement, or Standard form site-only long-stay agreement.

I’m a social / affordable housing tenant, am I eligible?

No. The WA Rent Relief Program supports people in private tenancy arrangements. If you are a social/affordable housing tenant experiencing rental stress and/or severe financial hardship, please contact your housing officer at the Department of Communities or community housing organisation for support.

I don’t have a written tenancy agreement, am I eligible?

No. You must have a written Residential Tenancy Agreement (Form 1AA), or Standard form on-site home agreement, or Standard form site-only long-stay agreement.

Will every application receive $5,000?

No. A single payment of up to $5,000 per household will be provided to support:

  1. Clearing rental arrears, and/or
  2. A contribution toward future rent capped at 50 per cent of weekly rent for up to three months.

The financial counsellor or housing support provider will assess your household’s overall financial position and make a recommendation on the rent relief payment value.

If I receive rent assistance from Services Australia or any other organisation, can I still be eligible for this rent relief payment?

During the assessment process, any additional rental subsidies being received by the tenant will be considered in the calculation for Rent Relief.

Can I use the money for any other purpose?

No - A payment from the WA Rent Relief Program will be made direct to the landlord.

Can my landlord put the rent up if I get this rental relief payment?

The landlord is required by law to abide by the Residential Tenancy Act 1987 (or the Residential Parks (Long-stay Tenants) Act 2006). The law relating to rent increases will depend on the type of tenancy. Information on rent increases.

What if I am still in arrears or can’t pay rent after I receive the rent relief payment?

If there are still outstanding arrears once the payment has been provided, or if you have concerns about meeting future rent payments, the community service organisations administering this Program can assist to identify other forms of financial assistance that you may be eligible for.

Can I receive the rental relief payment more than once?

No. A WA Rent Relief payment can only be received once for the duration of the Program.

Can I use the rent relief to help me get a rental home if I don’t have one?

No. The WA Rent Relief Program is for private tenants who are in rent arrears and experiencing financial stress who may be at risk of eviction from their existing tenancy.

Are there other rent assistance programs I can access if not eligible for this one?

Who do I contact if I have an enquiry about the Program?

If you would like to enquire about the program or register your interest, you can do so using the WA Rent Relief Program enquiry form: www.warentrelief.org.au.

How do I get general information on renting a home in WA?

If you have any other issues or general enquiries about renting a home in WA, read this guide on renting a home in WA, call Consumer Protection on 1300 30 40 54 or email consumer@dmirs.wa.gov.au.

Other help?

If you are experiencing homelessness and seeking accommodation contact:

Entry Point Perth: www.entrypointperth.com.au or call 1800 124 684

Crisis Care: 1800 199 008

Home Hub (Affordable Rental Housing Marketplace): www.homehub.org.au

Department of Communities: housing options on 1800 176 888

 

If you are experiencing financial difficulty contact:

National Debt Helpline: 1800 007 007

This service is free, independent and confidential to help you get your finances back under control.

Or

Emergency Relief and Food Access Service: 1800 979 777

This service is available for people seeking immediate financial or food assistance.

Related services and information

Contact

WA Rent Relief Program details

If you are experiencing financial difficulty, contact National Debt Helpline via 1800 007 007.