The Victorian Housing Register is where you can apply for social housing in Victoria. This means you can apply for both public and community housing at the same time.
The Victorian Housing Register categories are supported by a number of Operational Guidelines which are available on Victorian Housing Register page of the Funded Agency Channel website.
The register has two categories:
- Priority Access: In broad terms this might be for people:
- Who are homeless and receiving support
- Are escaping or have escaped family violence
- With a disability or significant support needs
- Who need to move for health reasons.
- Register of Interest: for people who do not meet the Priority Access criteria but are seeking to live in social housing.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for social housing you must meet the following criteria:
- Proof of identity
- Australian citizen or Permanent resident
- Victorian resident
- Income eligibility
- Asset eligibility.
What is an independent income?
An independent income is an income paid directly to you for you to use. It is not dependent on a Centrelink parental income or assets test.
These limits are effective from 1 October 2024.
Income limits
The income limits for the Register of Interest are:
| Household type | New weekly limit |
|---|---|
| Single person | $1,144 |
| Couple, no dependents | $1,750 |
| Family (one or two parents) with one or two dependent children | $2,360 |
| Each additional dependent child | $383 |
Asset limits
The asset limit for Register of Interest is $37,212.
The asset limit goes up to $124,041 for households who need major or full disability modifications. Please contact us for more information about this.
These limits are effective from 1 October 2024.
Income limits
The income limits for Priority Access housing are:
| Household type | New weekly limit |
|---|---|
| Single person | $640 |
| Couple, no dependants | $1,106 |
| Family (one or two parents) with one dependent child | $1,146 |
| Each additional dependent child | $40 |
Asset limits
The Priority Access housing asset limit is $14,709.
Note: The asset limit goes up to $124,041 for households who need major or full disability modifications. Please contact us for more information about this.
Priority categories
Priority transfer
If you are an existing social housing renter and require relocation due to your current property being unsafe or unsuitable, is to be sold, redeveloped or better utilised discuss your circumstances with your tenancy manager.
Homeless with support
If you are homeless and receiving support, you may be eligible for priority access. You will need a support worker to fill in an application form for you.
If you do not have a support worker, find out how to get one at crisis and emergency contacts.
Supported housing
You may be eligible for priority access if you or a household member need major modifications to your home.
You may also be eligible if you or a household member get independent living assistance or care for:
- Aged care
- Disability, including through the National Disability Insurance Scheme
- Acquired brain injury
- Mental health or
- Children, youth and families programs.
You may need a support worker to complete an application form for you.
Depending on your circumstance you may also need to fill in a special accommodation requirements form (PDF).
Special housing needs
The special housing needs category helps individuals or families whose housing has become unsuitable and who have no other housing options.
Both new applicants and current social housing renters may apply under this category.
Reasons you might apply under this category include:
- Insecure housing
- Inappropriate housing
- Unsafe housing
- Urgent medical need.
Special housing needs for people aged 55 years and over
This category applies to people aged 55 years and over who are not eligible for the other priority access categories.
It is only for singles and couples. Both people in the couple will need to be at least 55 years old.
The priority tables outlines the categories of the Register in order of priority and includes:
- priority categories for the purposes of identifying the relative needs of eligible applicants for social housing, and
- the priority criteria that must be met by an eligible applicant for a particular priority category to apply to that eligible applicant (with further detail provided in the sections below the table).
Priority access
| Category | New or Transfer applicants | Income limit / Asset limit |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Management Housing – for people whose housing is no longer safe or habitable, due to an emergency, for example, a bushfire, flood or storm. | New and Transfer | Register of Interest |
| Priority Transfers – for people who are social housing renters and require urgent relocation to another social housing property as their current property is unsafe; is to be sold; redeveloped or better utilised. | Transfer | Register of Interest For asset limit: Register of Interest unless a household member requires full or major modifications then the asset limit is the disability modification asset limit |
| Homeless with Support – for people who are homeless or experiencing family violence and need support to obtain and establish appropriate, long term housing. | New | Priority Access |
| Supported Housing – for people who live in unsuitable housing and have a disability or long-term health problem requiring major structural modifications and/or personal support to live independently. | New | Priority Access (new) For asset limit: Priority Access unless a household member requires full or major modifications then the asset limit is the disability modification asset limit OR policy consideration can be applied to exempt households with significant personal support needs from the Priority Access limit, and instead assess them against the Register of Interest asset limit |
| Special Housing Needs – for people who are living in housing that has become unsuitable and who have no alternative housing options. | New and Transfer | Priority Access (new) Register of Interest (transfer) |
| Special Housing Needs aged 55 years and over – for people who are eligible for social housing who are aged 55 years and over, and are not eligible for another priority category. | New | Priority Access |
Register of interest
| Category | New or Transfer applicants | Income limit / Asset limit |
|---|---|---|
| Register of Interest – no additional criteria apply. | New and Transfer | Register of Interest For asset limit: Register of Interest unless a household member requires full or major modifications then the asset limit is the disability modification asset limit |
Director of Housing Determination
The Victorian Housing Register was established in 2016 through amendments to the Housing Act 1983 which also authorised the Director of Housing to make 'determinations'.
The determinations establish the eligibility criteria for access to social housing, priority access categories and other related matters. The criteria apply to both new applicants for social housing and to existing renters seeking to move to a different social housing property.
For more information, see Housing Act 1983 - Director Determinations accessible (Word) or Housing Act 1983 - Director Determinations (PDF).