Moving House Assistance in Australia

Moving house assistance is a welfare support option in Australia that may help eligible people relocate from one home to another. Moving house assistance can be available for different reasons, including financial hardship, natural disasters, or relocation linked to government projects and public initiatives.

Many Australians can access government services and welfare support through Services Australia. Keep reading to learn more about moving assistance programs and how they may help you access moving house assistance in Australia.

Finding Assistance

Services Australia supports millions of people each year. In 2021, 5.5 million people received income support payments. There is also a useful online tool that can help you check which payments and services you may be eligible for.

Eligibility Criteria

Individuals and families must meet specific criteria to qualify for government-assisted relocation programs in Australia. These requirements may include income limits, location restrictions, assets, housing demand, and personal circumstances.

Am I Eligible?

If you are considering government assistance, contact the relevant government department first. They can help confirm whether you meet the eligibility criteria.

For example, families living in overcrowded conditions, or those spending more than 30% of their income on housing, may be eligible for some support programs.

To understand which relocation support you may qualify for, speak with your welfare provider, including:

• Workforce Australia
• Transition to Work
• ParentsNext
• Disability Employment Services

Assistance For Job Seekers

Australians receiving JobSeeker support who need to move for work may be able to apply for rent in advance. This can help cover the cost of securing a new place to live before moving or starting a new job.

Eligible job seekers may use this support to help pay rent, bills and utilities, hire home removalists, and cover travel costs.

Other Assistance for Job Seekers

Job seekers may also receive support for job search costs, such as buying suitable clothing for interviews or updating a resume. These services are designed to reduce financial barriers and make it easier to find and keep employment.

Assistance For Students

Services Australia also offers moving house assistance for students, trainees, and people completing an Australian Apprenticeship. Below are some payments that may help you move for study.

• Tertiary Access Payment: Helps with relocation costs for students moving from rural or regional areas to study in higher education.
• Fares Allowance: Helps cover travel costs between your primary residence and your place of higher education.
• ABSTUDY Fares Allowance: Helps cover travel costs between your primary residence and your place of study.
• Rent Assistance: Additional support for rent and some living expenses.
• Textbook Allowance: Helps with the cost of textbooks, equipment, and other study materials.
• Relocation Scholarship: Financial assistance for students relocating to attend university or TAFE.

Assistance for Apprenticeships

People completing an Australian Apprenticeship may also receive financial assistance for accommodation, travel, and other apprenticeship-related expenses. This can include help with the cost of tools and equipment needed for their trade.

These payments can make education and training more accessible, regardless of location or financial circumstances.

Transitioning Out of Care Assistance

Australians transitioning out of state or foster care may be able to access the Transition to Independent Living Allowance (TILA) to help cover the costs of leaving care.

Worth up to $1500, TILA can be used for a range of expenses, including rental bonds, furniture, course fees, and even buying a car. Some people leaving state care may also receive a higher rate of Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY Living Allowance.

Other Transitioning Out of Care Assistance Programs

In addition to TILA, the Independent Youth Allowance may provide support for people aged 16–24 who are not living with their parents or guardians and are not receiving financial support from them.

There is also the Special Benefit, which may help people experiencing hardship who are not eligible for other income support payments.

These programs aim to support young people transitioning out of care and help them move toward greater independence.

Assistance For Rural, Regional or Remote Australia

People living in rural, regional, or remote parts of Australia may be eligible for additional support through Services Australia. This may include:

• Farm Household Allowance: Support for eligible farming households facing financial hardship.
• Assistance for Isolated Children: Payments for parents and carers of children who cannot attend a local state school.
• Remote Area Allowance: An extra income support payment for people living in remote areas.
• Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme: Support that may help reduce transport costs between Tasmania and mainland Australia, including some moving-related freight costs.

Services Australia also operates Mobile Services Centres to help people in remote areas access services and payments. Agents and access points are also available across regional and remote Australia to help people navigate Services Australia online.

Relocation Funding for Disability Assistance

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) may assist with relocation costs for people with disability, as long as the support meets the reasonable and necessary criteria and the funding criteria available online.

Eligibility for Disability Assistance

The NDIS may consider relocation support when a person’s current home cannot be practically modified and it is necessary for them to move into a more accessible home.

Depending on the circumstances, support may also extend to some costs related to moving home, such as finding removalists who can help pack and unpack, plus other relocation-related expenses such as stamp duty, mortgage fees, and real estate fees.

Emergency Relocation Assistance and Crisis Payments

Services Australia crisis payments are a one-off, non-taxable payment for people who have experienced an extreme circumstance and are in severe financial hardship. There are several types of crisis payments available, but to be eligible you must generally meet the following criteria:

• Be experiencing severe financial hardship (for example, low-income households needing relocation support).
• Be receiving, or eligible to receive, an income support payment or ABSTUDY Living Allowance.
• Be experiencing an extreme circumstance, such as one of the following:
  • Family and domestic violence
  • Natural or other disasters not covered by a disaster relief payment
  • Arriving in Australia as a Humanitarian Entrant for the first time
  • Release from prison or psychiatric confinement

You must contact Services Australia within seven days of the extreme circumstance. In cases involving COVID-19, you may have up to 14 days to make contact.

Relocation Specialists, You Can Trust

Government funding and assistance can reduce the financial pressure and stress of relocating, especially during difficult times. Read the eligibility information carefully, as the right support may save you thousands in out-of-pocket costs.

With over nineteen years of experience in the industry, we’re one of NSW’s most trusted removalist companies. Get in touch with Smoothmoves to find out how our home relocation services — including packing and unpacking and mobile storage — can support your government-funded or assisted relocation.